Tobramycin Ophthalmic

In the U.S.

• AKTob
• Tobrasol
• Tobrex

In Canada

• Apo-Tobramycin
• Sab-Tobramycin
• Tomycine

Available Dosage Forms:

• Ointment
• Solution

Therapeutic Class: Antibiotic

Chemical Class: Aminoglycoside

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For tobramycin, the following should be considered:

Allergies

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to tobramycin or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Pediatric

tobramycin has been tested in children and, in effective doses, has not been shown to cause different side effects or problems than it does in adults.

Geriatric

Many medicines have not been studied specifically in older people. Therefore, it may not be known whether they work exactly the same way they do in younger adults or if they cause different side effects or problems in older people. There is no specific information comparing use of ophthalmic tobramycin in the elderly with use in other age groups.

Pregnancy

Breast Feeding

There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.

Interactions with Medicines

Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking tobramycin, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.

Using tobramycin with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with this medication or change some of the other medicines you take.

• Ataluren

Using tobramycin with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

• Alcuronium
• Atracurium
• Cholera Vaccine, Live
• Cidofovir
• Cisatracurium
• Colistimethate Sodium
• Decamethonium
• Doxacurium
• Ethacrynic Acid
• Fazadinium
• Foscarnet
• Furosemide
• Gallamine
• Hexafluorenium
• Lysine
• Mannitol
• Metocurine
• Mivacurium
• Pancuronium
• Pipecuronium
• Rapacuronium
• Rocuronium
• Succinylcholine
• Tubocurarine
• Vancomycin
• Vecuronium

Using tobramycin with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

• Cisplatin
• Cyclosporine

Interactions with Food/Tobacco/Alcohol

Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

If your eye infection does not improve within a few days, or if it becomes worse, check with your doctor.

(toe bra MYE sin)

Store at 2°C to 25°C (36°F to 77°F).

<1% (Limited to important or life-threatening): Conjunctival erythema, eyelid edema, eyelid pruritus

Adverse events have not been observed in animal reproduction studies. The amount of tobramycin available systemically following topical application of the ophthalmic drops is undetectable (<0.2 mcg/mL) (Filatov 1994). If ophthalmic agents are needed during pregnancy, the minimum effective dose should be used in combination with punctal occlusion to decrease systemic absorption (Samples 1988).

Use the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not use extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor at once if you have:

• severe burning, stinging, or irritation after using this medicine; or

• eye swelling, redness, severe discomfort, crusting or drainage (may be signs of infection).

Common side effects may include:

• eye itching or redness;

• mild burning, stinging, or irritation;

• itchy or puffy eyelids;

• blurred vision; or

• your eyes may be more sensitive to light.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Your healthcare professionals (e.g., doctor or pharmacist) may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for it. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with them first.

Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all prescription and nonprescription/herbal products you may use.

Keep a list of all your medications with you, and share the list with your doctor and pharmacist.