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- $Unique_ID{BRK03354}
- $Pretitle{}
- $Title{tobramycin (ophthalmic)}
- $Subject{ophthalmic Tobrex Alcon antibiotic tobramycin bacterial infections
- eyes aminoglycoside bacteria}
- $Volume{}
- $Log{}
-
- Copyright (C) 1993 Publications International, Ltd.
-
-
- tobramycin (ophthalmic)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
- BRAND NAME (Manufacturer)
-
- Tobrex (Alcon)
-
- TYPE OF DRUG
-
- Ophthalmic antibiotic
-
- INGREDIENT
-
- tobramycin
-
- DOSAGE FORMS
-
- Ophthalmic drops (0.3% tobramycin)
- Ophthalmic ointment (0.3% tobramycin)
-
- STORAGE
-
- The ophthalmic solution and ointment should be stored at room temperature
- in tightly closed containers. Discard any medication that is outdated or no
- longer needed.
-
- USES
-
- Tobramycin ophthalmic is used for the short-term treatment of bacterial
- infections of the eyes. Tobramycin is an aminoglycoside antibiotic, which
- acts to prevent the growth and multiplication of infecting bacteria.
-
- TREATMENT
-
- Wash your hands with soap and water before using this medication. In
- order to prevent contamination of the medicine, be careful not to touch the
- tube portion of the dropper and do not let it touch the eye.
- Note that the bottle of the eye drops is not completely full--this is to
- allow control of the number of drops used.
- To apply the drops, tilt your head back and pull down the lower eyelid
- with one hand to make a pouch below the eye. Drop the prescribed amount of
- medicine into the pouch and slowly close your eyes. Try not to blink. Keep
- your eyes closed, and place one finger at the corner of the eye next to your
- nose for a minute or two, applying a slight pressure (this is done to prevent
- loss of medication through the duct that drains fluid from the surface of the
- eye into the nose and throat). Then wipe away any excess with a clean tissue.
- If you think that the medicine did not get into your eye, repeat the process
- once. If you are using more than one type of eye drop, wait at least five
- minutes between doses of the two types of medication.
- Follow the same general procedure for applying the ointment. Tilt your
- head back, pull down the lower eyelid, and squeeze the prescribed amount of
- ointment in a line along the pouch below the eye. Close your eyes, and place
- your finger at the corner of the eye, near the nose, for a minute or two. Do
- not rub your eyes. Wipe off excess ointment and the tip of the tube with
- clean tissues.
- Since applying the medication is somewhat difficult to do, you may want
- someone else to administer the drops or ointment for you.
- If you miss a dose of this drug, insert the drops or apply the ointment
- as soon as possible, unless it is almost time for the next application. In
- that case, do not use the missed dose at all; just return to your regular
- dosing schedule.
- It is important to continue to take this medication for the entire time
- prescribed by your doctor, even if the symptoms of infection disappear before
- the end of that period. If you stop applying the medication too soon,
- resistant bacteria are given a chance to continue growing, and the infection
- could recur.
-
- SIDE EFFECTS
-
- Minor.
-
- Blurred vision, burning, or stinging. These side effects should
- disappear as your body adjusts to the drug.
-
- Major.
-
- Tell your doctor about any side effects that are persistent or
- particularly bothersome. IT IS ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT TO TELL YOUR DOCTOR about
- disturbed or reduced vision; eye pain, itching, or swelling; severe
- irritation; or rash.
-
- INTERACTIONS
-
- This medication should not interact with other medication as long as it
- is used according to directions.
-
- WARNINGS
-
- * Tell your doctor about any reactions you have had to drugs, especially
- to tobramycin or to any other aminoglycoside antibiotic (amikacin, gentamicin,
- kanamycin, neomycin, netilmicin, paromomycin, streptomycin, or viomycin).
- * Before starting tobramycin (ophthalmic), tell your doctor if you now
- have or if you have ever had fungal or viral infections of the eye, kidney
- disease, or myasthenia gravis.
- * If there is no change in your condition two or three days after
- starting to take this drug, contact your doctor. The drug may not be
- effective for your infection.
- * This medication has been prescribed for your current infection only. A
- subsequent infection, or one that someone else has, may require a different
- medicine. You should not give your medicine to other people or use it to
- treat other infections, unless your doctor specifically directs you to do so.
- * In order to allow your eye infection to clear, do not apply makeup to
- the affected eye.
- * Be sure to tell your doctor if you are pregnant. Extensive studies in
- pregnant women have not been conducted. Also, tell your doctor if you are
- breast-feeding an infant. Small amounts of tobramycin may pass into the
- breast milk.
-
- ----------------
-
- The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace
- the counsel and advice of your personal physician. Promptly consulting your
- doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical
- problem.
-