Learn about Tobramycin Ophthalmic from Consumer Reports Health.

Prescription Drugs

contains or is another name for this drug.

Tobramycin Ophthalmic (toe bra mye' sin)

Other names: AK-Tob, TobraDex, Tobrex

Why is this medication prescribed?

Tobramycin kills bacteria that cause certain eye infections.

This medication is sometimes prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

How should this medication be used?

Tobramycin comes as eyedrops and eye ointment. The eye drops usually are applied every 4 to 8 hours; the ointment usually is applied two to four times a day. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Use tobramycin exactly as directed. Do not use more or less of it or use it more often than prescribed by your doctor.

To use the eyedrops, follow these instructions:

Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water.
Use a mirror or have someone else put the drops in your eye.
Remove the protective cap. Make sure that the end of the dropper is not chipped cracked.
Avoid touching the dropper tip against your eye or anything else.
Hold the dropper tip down at all times to prevent drops from flowing back into the bottle and contaminating the remaining contents.
Lie down or tilt your head back.
Holding the bottle between your thumb and index finger, place the dropper tip as near as possible to your eyelid without touching it.
Brace the remaining fingers of that hand against your cheek or nose.
With the index finger of your other hand, pull the lower lid of the eye down to form a pocket.
Drop the prescribed number of drops into the pocket made by the lower lid and the eye. Placing drops on the surface of the eyeball can cause stinging.
Close your eye and press lightly against the lower lid with your finger for 2 to 3 minutes to keep the medication in the eye. Do not blink.
Replace and tighten the cap right away. Do not wipe or rinse it off.
Wipe off any excess liquid from your cheek with a clean tissue. Wash your hands again.

To use the eye ointment, follow these instructions:

Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water.
Use a mirror or have someone else apply the ointment.
Remove the protective cap. Avoid touching the tip of the tube against your eye or anything else. The ointment must be kept clean.
Tilt your head forward slightly.
Holding the tube between your thumb and index finger, place the tube as near as possible to your eyelid without touching it.
Brace the remaining fingers of that hand against your cheek or nose.
With the index finger of your other hand, pull the lower lid of your eye down to form a pocket.
Place a small amount of ointment into the pocket made by the lower lid and the eye. A 1/2-inch (1.25-centimeter) strip of ointment usually is enough unless otherwise directed by your doctor.
Gently close your eyes and keep them closed for 1 to 2 minutes to allow the medication to be absorbed.
Replace and tighten the cap right away.
Wipe off any excess ointment from your eyelids and lashes with a clean tissue. Wash your hands again.

Other names

AK-Tob®
TobraDex®

Tobrex®

Last Revised January 07, 2004

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