Tobramycin Eye Drop

What is this medication for?

Tobramycin is an antibiotic that is used to treat eye infection caused by bacteria. 

This medication may also be used in combination with other medications such as a steroid preparation (e.g. dexamethasone, loteprednol) as advised  by your doctor.

How should I take or use this medication?

• Proper use of eye drop
  • Wash your hands with soap and water, and read the instructions on the label.
  • Shake the bottle.
  • Tilt your head backwards and look up.
  • Gently pull the lower eyelid down to form a pocket and squeeze the bottle to apply one drop into your eye. To prevent the tip of the bottle from getting dirty, make sure the tip does not touch the eye or any other surface.
  • Close your eyes gently and wipe off any excess eye drops around your eyes with a clean tissue.
  • Keep your eyes closed and press down gently on the inner corner of your eye for 1 to 2 minutes to allow the medication to be absorbed.
  • Repeat the steps for the other eye if the eye drop is prescribed for use on both eyes
• Proper use of eye ointment 
  • Wash your hands with soap and water, and read the instructions on the label. 
  • Remove the cap from the tube and place it on a clean piece of tissue paper. Hold the tube as if you are holding a pen. 
  • Tilt your head slightly backwards and look up. Using the index finger of your free hand, gently pull down your lower eyelid to form a pocket.
  • With a sweeping motion, squeeze the tube to apply about 0.5-1 cm of the ointment inside the pocket of your lower eyelid. Ensure the tip of the tube does not touch your eye, eyelid or eyelashes to avoid contamination. 
  • Blink your eyes gently a few times to spread the ointment inside the eye. Keep your eyes closed for 1-2 minutes. Wipe away excess eye ointment from your eyelid and eye lashes with a clean piece of tissue paper. 
  • Recap the ointment and store it in a cool area or as instructed on the label. 
  • If you need to use more than 1 drop of medication, or if you are using another type of eye drop, wait at least 5 to 10 minutes before applying the next eye drop. This is to prevent the first drop of medication from being washed away by the second drop before it has time to work. This also prevents any medication interactions between different eye drops.
• If your doctor prescribed both eye drops and eye ointments, you should use the eye drops first. Wait for at least 5 minutes before applying the eye ointment. 
• If you need to apply more than one eye ointment, wait for at least 10 minutes before applying the next eye ointment. 
• Applying eye ointment may cause your vision to become blurry for a short period of time. You should avoid driving, operating machinery, or doing things in places with poor lighting until your vision clears. 
• Click on these links for
  • A Step-By-Step Guide On How To Instil Eye Drops
  •  A Step-by-Step Guide on How to Apply Eye Ointment
• Do not wear contact lenses during the treatment period and until the infection has cleared.
• Do not stop using the medication without checking with your healthcare professional.
• Antibiotic eye preparations are prescribed for your current eye condition only. Do not self-medicate without your doctor’s advice. 

What should I do if I forget to take or use this medication?

If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose. Then take your next dose at the usual time. Do not take two doses to make up for the missed dose. 

What precautions should I take when taking or using this medication?

Inform your healthcare professional if: 

• You are allergic to this medication or any of the other ingredients of this medication
• You are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding: 
• You are taking any other medications, including supplements, traditional medications and herbal remedies.

What are some common side effects of this medication? ​

• Stinging or burning sensation
• Redness
• Eye irritation

These symptoms are usually mild and will subside after sometime. Check with your healthcare professional if these conditions are severe or do not improve.

What are some rare but serious side-effects that I need to seek medical advice immediately? 

The symptoms of a drug allergy include one or more of the following: 

• Swollen face/eyes/lips/tongue
• Difficulty in breathing
• Itchy skin rashes over your whole body

If you experience any of these symptoms, you should stop your medication and see your healthcare professional immediately.

How should I store this medication?

Store in a cool and dry place, away from direct sunlight. Keep this medication away from children. 

How do I throw away this medication safely? ​

Pack this medication into a black trash bag and seal it tightly before throwing it into the rubbish chute or bin.

When should i throw away this medication? 

Record the date opened on the container. Throw it away immediately once contaminated or after reaching its in-use shelf life as recommended by the manufacturer, which is 4 weeks after opening.