Tobradex Eye Drops

About Tobradex Eye Drops

Tobradex Eye Drops Uses

• Treatment of bacterial eye infections that come with inflammation.
• Prevention of infection and control of swelling after cataract and other eye surgery.
• Relief of inflamed eyelid edges (blepharitis) with bacterial infection.
• Treatment of inflamed conjunctiva and cornea where a steroid is needed and infection risk exists.
• Short course use for eye injuries, as prescribed by an eye doctor.

Tobradex Eye Drops Benefits

• Treats infection and inflammation together with one bottle.
• Reduces redness, swelling and discomfort quickly.
• Convenient drop form that acts directly on the eye.

What Experts Say

Tobradex pairs tobramycin, an antibiotic that kills many common eye bacteria, with dexamethasone, a steroid that calms inflammation. The antibiotic clears the infection while the steroid lowers swelling and pain. Eye specialists often prescribe it after surgery, where both needs exist at once. Patients are usually reviewed within a few days to check healing and eye pressure.

Steroid eye drops should only be used under an ophthalmologist's guidance. Longer use can raise eye pressure, harm the optic nerve and speed up cataract formation. In Pakistan, many people buy steroid drops over the counter for red eyes, which can seriously worsen viral or fungal infections. Sharing the bottle is unsafe, since eye infections spread easily.

A short, supervised course with the follow up visit is the safest approach. Any pain, vision change or lack of improvement within a few days should prompt a review. Using leftover drops from an earlier infection is unsafe.

Drug Class

• Aminoglycoside antibiotic with corticosteroid (combination eye drop)

Tobradex Eye Drops formula

• Tobramycin
• Dexamethasone

Available forms

• Eye Drops

How to use Tobradex Eye Drops?

• Shake the bottle well before each use, as it is a suspension.
• Adults and children above 2 years: 1 to 2 drops in the affected eye every 4 to 6 hours.
• In severe cases the doctor may advise a drop every 2 hours for the first 24 to 48 hours.
• Wash hands first and avoid touching the dropper tip to the eye or fingers.
• Remove contact lenses before use and wait 15 minutes before putting them back.
• Leave 5 minutes between this and any other eye drop.
• Complete the course told by the doctor and do not use it longer.

Drug Interactions

• Other eye drops: Space them by 5 minutes so they do not wash each other out.
• Topical NSAID eye drops: Used with steroids, they can increase the risk of corneal healing problems.
• Systemic aminoglycosides: Injected or oral gentamicin and similar medicines may add to toxicity if much is absorbed.
• Ritonavir and ketoconazole: They can raise steroid levels in the body with prolonged use.

Risks and warnings

• Raised eye pressure: Prolonged steroid use can cause glaucoma, so pressure should be checked during longer courses.
• Cataract and slow healing: Steroids may cause cataract and delay wound healing of the cornea.
• Viral and fungal infection: Not for herpes simplex, other viral eye infections, fungal or tuberculous eye disease.
• Secondary infection: Long use may lead to overgrowth of resistant bacteria or fungi.
• Allergy: Stop use and see a doctor if swelling, itching or rash develops, especially if allergic to aminoglycosides.
• Contact lenses: Preservative in the drops can stain soft lenses, so avoid wearing them during treatment.

Tobradex Eye Drops Side Effects

• Eye burning or stinging
• Eye redness
• Itching
• Eyelid swelling
• Watery eyes
• Blurred vision for a short time
• Raised eye pressure
• Allergic reaction
• Eye discomfort

Storage Conditions

• Store between 8 and 25 C, upright with the cap tightly closed.
• Protect from freezing and direct sunlight.
• Discard the bottle 4 weeks after first opening.
• Do not use after the expiry date on the pack.
• Keep out of reach of children.