Drugs >  Tobramycin and Dexamethasone
Tobramycin and Dexamethasone
Pronunciation
Brand Names
Therapeutic Categories
What is this medicine used for?
How does it work?
How is it best taken?
What do I do if I miss a dose?
What are the precautions when taking this medicine?
What are the common side effects of this medicine?
What should I monitor?
Reasons to call healthcare provider immediately
How should I store this medicine?
General statements

Pronunciation
(toe bra MYE sin & deks a METH a sone)

Brand Names
TobraDex® Ophthalmic

Therapeutic Categories
Antibiotic/Corticosteroid, Ophthalmic

What is this medicine used for?

  • 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.


How does it work?

  • Tobramycin inhibits metabolic activities in the bacteria.
  • Dexamethasone prevents or reduces irritation and swelling.


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.


What do I do if I miss a dose?

  • 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.


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.


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.


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.


How should I store this medicine?

  • Store at room temperature.


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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