Ross is a writer for Verywell with years of experience practicing pharmacy in various settings. She is also a board-certified clinical pharmacist and the founder of Off Script Consults.
Alex Yampolsky, PharmD, is a clinical pharmacist at Elizabeth Seton Children’s Center, a pediatric long-term care facility in Yonkers, New York. Gentamicin Amoxicillin
Tobrex (tobramycin ) is a prescription medication that belongs to the aminoglycoside antibiotics drugs class. Tobrex is available and administered as an eye drop solution or ointment for the treatment of external bacterial eye infections in adults and children 2 months and older.
As an aminoglycoside antibiotic, Tobrex works to kill certain bacteria. Specifically, it works by blocking bacteria from making more proteins.
Tobrex contains the active ingredient tobramycin.
The tobramycin eye drop solution form of administration is available as brand-name Tobrex and is also available as generic tobramycin.
Other brand-name medications containing the active ingredient tobramycin, such as Tobrasol and AKTob, are also available as an ophthalmic (related to the eye) treatment. In comparison, the tobramycin ointment form of administration is currently only available as brand-name Tobrex.
This article will highlight the brand-name medication Tobrex in both ointment and eye drop solution form.
Brand Name(s): Tobrex, Tobrasol, AKTob
Available Generically: Yes (solution eye drops only)
Controlled Substance: N/A
Dosage Form(s): Eye drop solution, ointment
Tobrex is used for bacterial eye infections.
Eye infections may come from various sources, such as viruses and fungi.
But worldwide, bacteria is the cause of numerous eye infections. And bacterial conjunctivitis is a common eye infection. In fact, 50 to 70% of conjunctivitis eye infections are due to bacteria.
While anyone can get bacterial conjunctivitis, this condition is more common in children and older adults.
Other risk factors may also include:
Since directions may vary among eye medications, carefully read the directions and packaging label on your container. Keep the following in mind when using Tobrex solution eye drops or ointment:
The following are steps to use the Tobrex solution eye drops that usually are applied every four to eight hours:
The following are some typical steps to use the Tobrex ointment, which is usually applied two to four times a day:
Keep your medications tightly closed and out of the reach of children and pets, ideally locked in a cabinet or closet—and not in the bathroom.
Store at room temperature (68 to 77 degrees F).
Avoid pouring unused and expired drugs down the drain or in the toilet. Visit the FDA's website to learn where and how to discard all unused and expired drugs.
You can also find disposal boxes in your area. Ask your healthcare provider if you have any questions about the best ways to dispose of your medications.
If you travel with Tobrex, get familiar with your final destination's regulations. Checking with the U.S. Embassy or Consulate might be a helpful resource.
It's also a good idea to make a copy of your Tobrex prescription. And be sure to keep your medication in its original container from your pharmacy with your name on the label. Ask your healthcare provider if you have any questions about traveling with your medicine.
You may notice some improvement in your symptoms after three days of using an antibiotic eye medication.
This is not a complete list of side effects, and others may occur. A healthcare provider can advise you on side effects. If you experience other reactions, contact your pharmacist or healthcare provider. You may report side effects to the FDA at fda.gov/medwatch or 800-FDA-1088.
Common side effects of Tobrex include:
Get medical help right away if you develop the following serious side effects:
Call 911 if your symptoms feel life-threatening.
In general, it's possible to experience another infection—like from fungi—on top of your current infection when using long-term antibiotics.
Contact your healthcare provider if you suspect that you're experiencing symptoms of another infection.
Tobrex may cause other side effects. Call your healthcare provider if you have any unusual problems while taking this medication.
If you experience a serious side effect, you or your provider may send a report to the FDA's MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting Program or by phone (800-332-1088).
The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.
The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.
The following modifications (changes) should be kept in mind when using Tobrex:
Severe allergic reaction: Avoid using Tobrex if you have a known allergy to tobramycin or any of Tobrex's ingredients. Ask your healthcare provider for a complete list of the ingredients if you're unsure.
Pregnancy: In three different animal studies, high doses of tobramycin given systemically didn't appear to have negative effects on fertility or the fetus. "Systemically" means that these doses were given either by mouth or by injection. This would allow for more widespread exposure to the drug than when just put into the eye.
While tobramycin was safe in these animal studies, not enough is known about the safety and effectiveness of Tobrex in pregnant people and on their unborn fetus.
Discuss with your healthcare provider if you plan to become pregnant or are pregnant. They will help you weigh the benefits and risks of Tobrex during your pregnancy.
Breastfeeding: It's unlikely for Tobrex eye medications to negatively affect nursing babies.
But you may talk with your healthcare provider if you plan to breastfeed. They will help you weigh the benefits and harms of Tobrex use while nursing. They can also discuss the different ways available to feed your baby.
Older adults over 65: Older and younger adults are unlikely to experience any differences in safety and effectiveness when using Tobrex.
But in general, older adults with other medical conditions or who are taking several medications should use caution with Tobrex. Older adults are typically more sensitive to side effects from medications.
Children: There is little safety and effectiveness information on Tobrex in infants under 2 months old.
People who wear contact lenses: Remove your contact lenses before applying Tobrex. In general, don't wear contact lenses when you have an eye infection.
If you accidentally forget your Tobrex dose, use your eye medication as soon as you remember. If it's already close to your next scheduled dose, then skip the missed dose and take the following dose at your next scheduled dosing time. Don't try to double up to make up for the missed dose.
Try to find ways to help yourself remember to routinely keep your appointments and take your medication. If you miss too many doses, Tobrex might be less effective at treating your eye infection.
There is limited information available on overdoses and toxicity of Tobrex eye medications.
However, in the case of systemic versions—like Tobrex as an injection, the symptoms of a suspected overdose may include:
If you think that you're experiencing an overdose or life-threatening symptoms, seek immediate medical attention.
If you think you or someone else may have overdosed on Tobrex, call a healthcare provider or the Poison Control Center (800-222-1222).
If someone collapses or isn't breathing after taking Tobrex, call 911 immediately.
If your eye infection does not improve within a few days, or if it becomes worse, check with your doctor.
Before using Tobrex, talk with your healthcare provider if any of the following applies to you:
Severe allergic reaction: If you have a severe allergic reaction to Tobrex or any of its ingredients, this medication isn't a viable option for you.
Pregnancy: While high doses of tobramycin seem safe in multiple animal studies, not enough is known about the safety and effectiveness of Tobrex in pregnant people and on their unborn fetus.
Breastfeeding: It's unlikely for tobramycin eye medications to negatively affect nursing babies.
Older adults over 65: Older and younger adults are unlikely to experience any safety and effectiveness differences when using Tobrex. But in general, older adults should use caution.
Children: There is little safety and effectiveness information on Tobrex in children under two months old.
If you have multiple eye medications, don't use one immediately after another. The general recommendation is to wait five minutes between each eye medication.
For more detailed information about medication interactions with Tobrex, talk with your healthcare provider.
And be sure to talk with your healthcare provider about any other medicines you take or plan to take, including over-the-counter (OTC), nonprescription products, vitamins, herbs, or plant-based medicines.
There are a number of antibiotic eye medications, but Tobrex is an aminoglycoside antibiotic. Another aminoglycoside antibiotic eye medication is gentamicin.
Both aminoglycosides are available as eye drops and ointment. And they are used to treat similar bacterial eye infections.
These antibiotic medications are comparable in terms of effectiveness and safety. They're also available in combination eye products with corticosteroids (steroids).
For severe eye infections, gentamicin ointment is not recommended for increased usage.
Generic tobramycin is only available in eye drops, whereas gentamicin has generic versions of both eye drops and ointment.
Since both tobramycin and gentamicin are aminoglycoside antibiotics, these eye medications aren't typically used together.
Tobrex is available with a prescription from your healthcare provider. Local retail pharmacies typically carry Tobrex. If necessary, the pharmacy staff may order the medication for you.
Since Tobrex ointment isn't available as a generic product yet, it's typically costly without insurance coverage. But the Tobrex solution eye drop medication is available in a generic version, which may save you on cost.
The active ingredient in Tobrex is tobramycin. If you have eye inflammation (swelling), your healthcare provider may recommend a combination product containing both tobramycin and a corticosteroid (steroid).
While your symptoms may get better after three days of using Tobrex, continue to use Tobrex for the full length of time prescribed by your healthcare provider.
The typical length of therapy is seven days, but your healthcare provider may recommend a different duration depending on the severity of your eye infection.
If you're using Tobrex, chances are your eye infection has been negatively affecting your quality of life. Having an eye infection does have its challenges.
You may have tried different approaches or treatments. Refer below for some general tips to support your health and prevent future eye infections:
Verywell Health's drug information is meant for educational purposes only and is not intended as a replacement for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment from a healthcare provider. Consult your healthcare provider before taking any new medication(s). IBM Watson Micromedex provides some of the drug content, as indicated on the page.
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By Ross Phan, PharmD, BCACP, BCGP, BCPS Ross is a writer for Verywell with years of experience practicing pharmacy in various settings. She is also a board-certified clinical pharmacist and the founder of Off Script Consults.
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