Tobradex eye drops

How does it work?

This medicine contains two active ingredients, tobramycin and dexamethasone. Dexamethasone belongs to a group of medicines known as corticosteroids, which are used for reducing inflammation. Inflammation of the eye following cataract surgery occurs as a result of damage or irritation to the eye. This causes the release of various substances that are important in the immune system. These substances cause blood vessels to widen and result in the affected area becoming red, swollen and painful. Corticosteroids work by acting within cells to stop the release of these substances, thereby reducing swelling, redness and pain. Tobramycin is a member of the aminoglycoside family of antibiotics. These antibiotics have the ability to kill a wide variety of bacteria. Tobramycin works by interfering with the production of proteins that are essential for the bacteria's survival. It binds to components in bacterial cells, making the bacteria produce abnormal proteins that can't perform their normal function. The production of these abnormal proteins is ultimately fatal to the bacteria. The combination of these medicines is applied directly to the eye in the form of drops, to reduce inflammation and prevent infection following cataract surgery.

What is it used for?

Reducing eye inflammation and preventing infection following cataract surgery

Warning!

This medicine may cause your vision to blur temporarily after you have applied it into your eye. Do not drive or operate machinery until this has worn off.

Intensive or prolonged application of corticosteroids to the eye may lead to an increase in the pressure inside the eye, glaucoma, damage to the optic nerve or the formation of cataracts.

This medicine is not to be taken by mouth.

The safety and efficacy of this medicine in children has not been studied by the manufacturer.

Shake the bottle well before use.

This eye preparation is sterile until opened. It should not be used if more than four weeks have passed since it was first opened. You may find it helpful to write the date of first opening on the packet.

It is recommended that the pressure inside the eye (intraocular pressure) is checked frequently while using this medicine.

Not to be used in

Eye infections caused by a type of bacteria called Mycobacteria, eg tuberculosis affecting the eye

Fungal infections of the eye

Untreated pus producing eye infections

Viral infections of the eye

This medicine should not be used if you are allergic to one or any of its ingredients. Please inform your doctor or pharmacist if you have previously experienced such an allergy. If you feel you have experienced an allergic reaction, stop using this medicine and inform your doctor or pharmacist immediately.

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

Certain medicines should not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding. However, other medicines may be safely used in pregnancy or breastfeeding providing the benefits to the mother outweigh the risks to the unborn baby. Always inform your doctor if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, before using any medicine.

The safety of this medicine in pregnancy has not been established. It should therefore be used with caution during pregnancy, and only if the benefits to the mother outweigh any risks to the foetus. Seek medical advice from your doctor.

It is not known whether this medicine passes into breast milk. Breastfeeding is therefore not recommended whilst taking this medicine. Seek medical advice from your doctor.

Side effects

Medicines and their possible side effects can affect individual people in different ways. The following are some of the side effects that are known to be associated with this medicine. Because a side effect is stated here, it does not mean that all people using this medicine will experience that or any side effect.

Increased pressure within the eye

Delayed wound healing

Itching and swelling of the eyelid

Redness of the membrane covering the eye (conjunctiva)

The side effects listed above may not include all of the side effects reported by the drug's manufacturer. For more information about any other possible risks associated with this medicine, please read the information provided with the medicine or consult your doctor or pharmacist.

How can this medicine affect other medicines?

No specific studies have been performed by the manufacturer to determine if this medicine interacts with any other. It is not known how much, if any, of this medicine is absorbed into the bloodstream after being administered into the eye, which makes it difficult to predict interactions that may occur. You should tell your doctor or pharmacist that you are using this medicine before using any others. If this medicine is used with other eye drops, an interval of ten minutes should be left between the application of each different drop, to allow them to be absorbed into the eye.

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