Tobramycin/dexamethasone

Tobramycin/dexamethasone
Combination of
Tobramycin Aminoglycoside antibiotic
Dexamethasone Glucocorticoid
Clinical data
Pregnancy cat. C(US)
Legal status ℞-only (US)
Routes Ophthalmic
Identifiers
ATC code S01CA01
ChemSpider 10123949 Y
 Y(what is this?)  (verify)

Tobramycin/dexamethasone (INNs, trade name Tobradex) is a prescription medication in the form of eye drops and eye ointment, marketed by Alcon. The active ingredients are tobramycin 0.3% (an antibiotic) and dexamethasone 0.1% (a corticosteroid). It is prescribed for a wide spectrum of bacterial eye infections. Tobradex can also be used to clear or contract styes that are also found in the eye. It is prescribed for the treatment of pink eye in combination with bacterial infections. Because it contains a steroid, careful use with gradual reduction of doses is required.

Contents

Contraindications

It is strongly contraindicated with herpetic and other viral eye infections. Other contraindications include fungal and mycobacterial infections because tobramycin is inactive against those, and the corticoid acts as a immunosuppressive agent, preventing the body's immune system from dealing with the infection. The drops are also contraindicated in patients with corneal lesions.[1][2]

Side effects

Similarly to other corticosteroid eye drops, side effects include hypersensitivity and, especially after long-term use, secondary eye infections, cataract (clouding of the eye lens) and increased intraocular pressure, leading to glaucoma. Consequently, the drug should not be applied longer than 24 days.[1][3][4]

Interactions

Anticholinergic eye drops potentiate the risk of increased intraocular pressure. Systemic aminoglycoside antibiotics increase toxicity for ears, nerves and kidney.[1]

References

  1. ^ a b c Haberfeld, H, ed (2009) (in German). Austria-Codex (2009/2010 ed.). Vienna: Österreichischer Apothekerverlag. ISBN 3-85200-196-X. 
  2. ^ Tobradex Prescribing Information. Alcon.
  3. ^ Ch. Faschinger (3 January 2011). (in German)Österreichische Apothekerzeitung (1/2011): 13. 
  4. ^ Dinnendahl, V, Fricke, U, ed (2010) (in German). Arzneistoff-Profile. 2 (23 ed.). Eschborn, Germany: Govi Pharmazeutischer Verlag. ISBN 978-3-7741-98-46-3. 
30S
-mycin (Streptomyces)
Tetracyclines
50S
EF-G
Steroid antibacterials

M: BAC

bact (clas)

gr+f/gr+a(t)/gr-p(c)/gr-o

drug(J1p, w, n, m, vacc)
Mineralocorticoids
(3-one, 4-ene,
no FG at 16)
Glucocorticoids
(3-one, 4-ene,
11-FG,
17-hydroxy)
Pregnenedione
(+20-one)
Rimexolone • HALOGENATED, WITH FG AT 16: Flunisolide • Triamcinolone • Amcinonide • Fluocinolone acetonide (Fluocinonide)
Pregnadienediol
(+21-hydroxy)
Prednisone (Meprednisone) • HALOGENATED AT 9: Fluorometholone • HALOGENATED, WITH FG AT 16: Fluocortolone (Clocortolone, Diflucortolone, Fluocortin) • Desoximetasone
Pregnadienetriol
(+11-hydroxy)
Pregnatriene
(+2-ene)
Other/ungrouped
HALOGENATED: Loteprednol • HALOGENATED, WITH FG AT 16: Fludroxycortide • Formocortal • Mometasone furoate
Aldosterone antagonists
Synthesis modifiers

M: END

anat/phys/devp/horm

noco(d)/cong/tumr, sysi/epon

proc, drug (A10/H1/H2/H3/H5)