The eye is red, itchy, and maybe a little swollen... For bacterial eye infections like this, a doctor may prescribe eye drops. A very common medication that you may receive at such times is Tobramycin. You can get this under brand names like Tobrex. So today, let's talk about this Tobramycin medication, how to use it, what to be careful about, and everything in a simple way.
What kind of medicine is Tobramycin?
Simply put, Tobramycin is an antibiotic that is used to treat bacterial infections in the eyes. To be precise, it is a drug that belongs to the group of drugs called ``aminoglycoside antibiotics.'' It works by killing or stopping the growth of bacteria that cause infections inside the eye.
The most important thing is that this only works on bacteria. If your eye infection is caused by a virus or fungus, this medicine will not work. That's why it's not a good idea to use this type of medicine without a doctor's prescription.
Things you need to tell your doctor before using the medicine
Before your doctor prescribes this medicine for you, you should definitely tell your doctor about these things. Don't hide these things, because they are very important for your safety.
- Allergies: Tell your doctor if you have ever had an allergic reaction to Tobramycin or any other aminoglycoside medicine (e.g. Gentamicin). Also, tell your doctor if you have any allergies to any other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives.
- Pregnancy and lactation: It is imperative that you inform your doctor if you are pregnant , trying to become pregnant , or breastfeeding .
How exactly do you use this medicine?
To get the most out of your medication, it's important to use it correctly. Let's see how to do that.
1. First, wash and clean your hands thoroughly with soap .
2. Open the cap of the medicine bottle. Tilt your head back slightly and look up.
3. Gently pull down your lower eyelid with your index finger. This will create a small pouch between your eye and eyelid.
4. Very important: Do not let the tip of the dropper touch your eye, your fingertips, or any other surface. Doing so can introduce germs into the bottle and contaminate the medicine.
5. Put the number of drops prescribed by the doctor into the prepared bag.
6. Then, gently close your eye and allow the medicine to spread throughout your eye for about 30 seconds. Gently pressing the inner corner of your eye (near your nose) with your finger can help prevent the medicine from going down your throat.
7. Wash your hands thoroughly again after applying the medicine.
Do not use more than the number of times your doctor tells you to. Also, even if you feel better, finish the full course of treatment . Do not stop taking the medicine without your doctor's advice.
Use for young children
Doctors sometimes prescribe this medicine to children over 2 months of age. However, it is best to talk to your pediatrician about it and get advice.
What to do if you miss a dose of medication?
If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the next dose on time. Never take a double dose.
Things to be careful about when using this medicine
It is very important to be especially careful about these things while using this medicine.
- Symptoms: If your symptoms do not improve, or if they seem to be getting worse, tell your doctor immediately.
- Contact Lenses: Do not wear contact lenses if you have an eye infection. Ask your doctor when you can wear them again.
- Preventing the spread of infection: To prevent the infection from spreading to others or your other eye, do not share your eye wipes, cloths, and this eye medicine bottle with anyone else .
- Serious skin reactions: Very rarely, some people may have serious skin reactions, even after several weeks of using this medicine. If you develop a red or purple rash with fever-like symptoms, which then blisters and peels off, see a doctor immediately . Also, if your skin becomes red and swollen, including the face, lips, neck, or armpits, this could be a serious sign. So seek medical advice immediately.
What are the possible side effects?
Like any medicine, Tobramycin can cause side effects in some people, although not everybody gets them.
| Type of side effect | Description |
|---|---|
| Side effects that require immediate medical attention | |
| Severe allergic reactions | Skin rash, severe itching, hives, swelling of the face, lips or tongue, difficulty breathing. |
| Severe skin reactions | Redness, blistering, and peeling of the skin, including inside the mouth. |
| Side effects that should be reported to the doctor if they persist | |
| Eye discomfort | Slight burning, itching, redness of the eyes, or persistent discomfort immediately after applying the medication. |
This list does not include all possible side effects. If you notice anything unusual, please contact your doctor for advice.
What to do if you take or drink too much medicine?
If you think you have taken more medicine than you think, or if someone has accidentally taken it, call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital immediately. Or, go to the Emergency Department (ETU) of the nearest hospital.
How should I store the medicine?
- Keep this medicine out of the reach of small children .
- Store between 2 and 25 degrees Celsius (2°C - 25°C). Normal room temperature is fine. Protect from extreme heat or extreme cold (do not refrigerate).
- Throw away any medicine left after the expiration date .
- It is generally best practice to not use any eye drops for a month after opening them. Be sure to ask your doctor about this as well.
Take-Home Message
- Tobramycin is a medicine used to treat eye infections caused by bacteria. It does not work for viral or fungal infections.
- Wash your hands thoroughly before and after applying the medicine to your eyes. Do not let the tip of the bottle touch your eyes or anywhere else.
- Even if you feel well, finish the full course of medication prescribed by your doctor.
- Do not use contact lenses if you have an eye infection.
- If you experience severe allergic symptoms (facial swelling, skin blisters), seek medical advice immediately.
- This medicine is for you only. Never share it with anyone else, even if that person has the same symptoms as you.
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