Sometimes when we wake up in the morning, our eyes are red, watery, and painful to open, right? For bacterial infections like these, your doctor may have prescribed an eye ointment called Tobramycin. It is available under brand names like Tobrex. So today, let's talk about how to use this medicine exactly and what you need to be careful about.
What is this Tobramycin?
Simply put, Tobramycin is an antibiotic ointment. To be precise, it belongs to the aminoglycoside class of antibiotics. Its main function is to control and eliminate bacterial infections in the eye.
The most important thing is that this only works for bacterial infections. It will not cure some eye diseases caused by viral infections. Therefore, do not use this type of medicine without a doctor's recommendation.
Things to tell your doctor before using this medicine
Your doctor will need to have a complete understanding of your health before prescribing this medication. Therefore, if any of the following apply to you, be sure to inform your doctor.
| Matter to be informed | Description |
|---|---|
| Allergies | Whether you have ever had an allergy to Tobramycin or any other medicine, food, dye, or preservative. |
| Pregnancy | Are you currently pregnant, or are you hoping to become pregnant in the near future? |
| If you are a breastfeeding mother | It is also very important whether you are a mother who is breastfeeding a child. |
How do you apply this ointment to your eyes correctly?
This is a very simple thing, but it's important to do it right. Let's see how to do it step by step.
1. Hand washing: First, wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water before handling the ointment and after applying it to your eyes. This is essential to prevent the spread of infection.
2. Preparation: Tilt your head back slightly and look up. Gently pull your lower eyelid down with your index finger. This will create a small pouch-like space between your eyelid and your eye.
3. Applying the ointment: Now gently squeeze the mouth of the ointment tube and place a thin strip about 1 cm long inside the prepared pouch. Be very careful here and do not let the tip of the tube touch your eyes, fingertips, or anywhere else. Doing so can introduce germs into the tube.
4. Spreading: After applying the ointment, slowly close your eye and roll it inwards for about 30 seconds. This will help the ointment spread throughout the eye.
5. Completion: You should use this for the full number of days prescribed by your doctor. Do not stop taking it even if you feel your symptoms have subsided. Doing so may cause the infection to recur.
What if this is used for small children?
In some cases, doctors prescribe this for babies as young as 2 months. But it should only be done on medical advice. Therefore, talk to your pediatrician before using this on a young child.
What are the special things to be careful about?
There are several things we need to pay attention to while using the medicine.
| Opportunity | What to do |
|---|---|
| If you use too much medicine (Overdose) | If you accidentally take too much medicine, immediately call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital or go to the Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) of the nearest hospital. |
| If you forget to take your medicine (Missed Dose) | Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the next dose at the scheduled time. Never take a double dose. |
| If you use contact lenses | It is not a good idea to wear contact lenses when you have an eye infection. Ask your doctor when you can start wearing them again after the infection has completely cleared up. |
| Prevent the spread of infection | Do not share your eye contact lenses, towels, or handkerchiefs with others. This can help prevent the spread of the disease to others. |
Potential Side Effects
Like any medicine, Tobramycin can cause side effects in some people. However, not everyone gets them. Let's take a look at what they are.
| Side effects that you should report to your doctor immediately | |
|---|---|
| Serious Allergic Reactions | Symptoms such as skin rash, severe itching, swelling of the face, lips, or tongue. |
| Skin Reactions | Redness, blistering, or peeling of the skin, including around the mouth. These symptoms may sometimes be accompanied by fever or swollen lymph nodes in the neck or armpits. |
| If it persists or is bothersome, tell your doctor. | |
| Minor eye discomfort | Mild itching, burning, or redness of the eye. These usually go away after a while. |
This list does not include all possible side effects. If you notice anything unusual in addition to these, talk to your doctor about it.
How to store the medicine?
- Keep it out of the reach of children. This is very important.
- Store between 2 and 25 degrees Celsius (normal room temperature is fine). Keep away from extreme heat or extreme cold.
- Be sure to throw away expired medicine. Using expired medicine can be harmful.
Take-Home Message
- Tobramycin is an antibiotic ointment used to treat eye infections caused by bacteria.
- Wash your hands thoroughly before and after applying the medicine to your eyes. Do not let the tip of the tube touch anything.
- Use the medicine for the full duration prescribed by your doctor. Do not stop taking it even if your symptoms improve.
- If you experience a serious allergy or skin reaction, seek medical advice immediately.
- This medicine is for you only. Never share it with others, even if your symptoms are similar.
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