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| Pronunciation |
|
 (toe
bra MYE sin & deks a METH a
sone) |
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| Brand Names |
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| TobraDex®
Ophthalmic |
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|
| Therapeutic
Categories |
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|
Antibiotic/Corticosteroid, Ophthalmic |
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| What is this medicine used
for? |
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|
- Tobramycin is an antibiotic used to treat a variety of bacterial
infections.
- Dexamethasone is used to reduce redness, irritation, swelling, and
itching.
- The eye drops are used in steroid-responsive inflammatory eye
conditions in which dexamethasone is indicated and where bacterial infection or
a risk of bacterial infection
exists.
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|
|
| How does it work? |
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|
- Tobramycin inhibits metabolic activities in the bacteria.
- Dexamethasone prevents or reduces irritation and
swelling.
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|
|
| How is it best taken? |
|
|
- For the eye only.
- Take out soft contact lenses before using medicine. Lenses can be
replaced 15 minutes after medicine is given.
- Tilt head back and drop medicine into eye.
- After using medicine keep your eyes closed. Apply pressure to the
inside corner of the eye. Do this for 3-5 minutes. This keeps medicine in the
eye.
- Separate each eye medicine by 5 minutes. Give one and wait 5 minutes
before using the next.
- Do not touch the bottle tip to eye, lid, or other skin.
- For ointment, place medicine inside the lower lid. Close your eye for
1-2 minutes. Roll eyeball around.
- Use entire prescription as directed, even if feeling
better.
|
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|
| What do I do if I miss a
dose? |
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|
- Instill a missed dose as soon as possible.
- If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed one. Return to
your regular schedule.
- Do not instill a double dose or extra
doses.
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|
| What are the precautions when
taking this
medicine? |
|
|
- Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Make
sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected you. This includes telling
about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of
face, lips, tongue, throat; or any other symptoms involved.
- Tell healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan on getting
pregnant.
- Tell healthcare provider if you are
breast-feeding.
|
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|
| What are the common side effects
of this
medicine? |
|
|
- Bright lights may be irritating. Keep sunglasses with you.
- Blurred vision. Use caution when driving, or doing tasks that need
clear vision.
- Stinging after putting drops in
eye.
|
|
|
| What should I monitor? |
|
|
- Follow up with healthcare
provider.
|
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| Reasons to call healthcare
provider
immediately |
|
|
- Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing;
tightness in the chest; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits;
swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat.
- Any rash.
- No improvement in condition or feeling
worse.
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| How should I store this
medicine? |
|
|
- Store at room
temperature.
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| General statements |
|
|
- Do not share your medicine with others and do not take anyone else's
medicine.
- Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and pets.
- Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, herbal/supplements,
vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to healthcare provider
(doctor, nurse, pharmacist, physician assistant).
- Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine,
including over-the-counter or natural products (herbs,
vitamins).
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