Tobramycin



AKTob®; TOBI®; Tobrex®







Tobramycin

(toe bra MYE sin)

U.S. Brand Names
AKTob®; TOBI®; Tobrex®
Canadian Brand Names
Apo-Tobramycin®; PMS-Tobramycin; Sandoz-Tobramycin; TOBI®; Tobramycin Injection, USP; Tobrex®
Mexican Brand Names
Tobrex®; Trazil®
Pharmacologic Category
Antibiotic, Aminoglycoside; Antibiotic, Ophthalmic
Reasons not to take this medicine
  • If you have an allergy to tobramycin or any other part of this medicine.
  • Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Make sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected you. This includes telling about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat; or any other symptoms involved.
  • Oral inhalation and Injection (I.V.):
  • If you are pregnant or may be pregnant.
What is this medicine used for?
  • This medicine is used to treat a variety of bacterial infections.
How does it work?
  • Tobramycin works to injure the bacteria and fight the infection.
How is it best taken?
  • All forms:
  • To gain the most benefit, do not miss doses.
  • Use prescription as directed, even if feeling better.
  • Take this medicine at a similar time of day.
  • Oral inhalation:
  • You will use by inhaling (puffing) through the mouth with a nebulizer machine. Your healthcare provider will teach you proper use.
  • Injection (I.V.):
  • This medicine is given as a shot into a muscle or vein.
  • Eye drops:
  • For the eye only.
  • Contact lenses should not be worn at any time while using this medicine.
  • Do not touch the container tip to the eye, lid, or other skin.
  • Tilt head back and drop medicine into eye.
  • After using medicine, keep your eyes closed. Apply pressure to the inside corner of the eye. Do this for 3-5 minutes. This keeps the medicine in your eye.
  • Separate each eye medicine by 5 minutes.
  • Eye ointment:
  • For the eye only.
  • Contact lenses should not be worn at any time while using this medicine.
  • Do not touch the container tip to the eye, lid, or other skin.
  • Place medicine inside the lower lid. Close the eye for 1-2 minutes. Roll eyeball around.
  • Separate each eye medicine by 10 minutes.
What do I do if I miss a dose? (does not apply to patients in the hospital)
  • Take a missed dose as soon as possible.
  • If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and return to your regular schedule.
  • Do not take a double dose or extra doses.
  • Do not change dose or stop medicine. Talk with healthcare provider.
What are the precautions when taking this medicine?
  • All forms:
  • If you have hearing loss, talk with healthcare provider.
  • If you have kidney disease, talk with healthcare provider.
  • Check medicines with healthcare provider. This medicine may not mix well with other medicines.
  • Tell healthcare provider if you are breast-feeding.
  • Oral inhalation and Injection (I.V.):
  • Use birth control that you can trust to prevent pregnancy while taking this medicine.
  • Eye drops and ointment:
  • Tell healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan on getting pregnant.
What are some possible side effects of this medicine?
  • Eye:
  • Short-term discomfort after use.
  • Inhalation solution:
  • Abnormal taste. This is usually reversible.
  • Cough.
  • Injection (I.V.):
  • Change in hearing can rarely occur.
  • Kidney damage can rarely occur.
What should I monitor?
  • Change in condition being treated. Is it better, worse, or about the same?
  • Follow up with healthcare provider.
Reasons to call healthcare provider immediately
  • If you suspect an overdose, call your local poison control center immediately or dial 911.
  • Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing; chest tightness; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits; or swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat.
  • Significant change in balance.
  • Change in hearing.
  • Feeling extremely nervous and excitable.
  • Feeling extremely tired or weak.
  • Severe nausea or vomiting.
  • Any rash.
  • No improvement in condition or feeling worse.
How should I store this medicine?
  • Store eye ointment and solution at room temperature.
  • Store inhalation (solution) in a refrigerator. Remove each dose from the refrigerator just before using.
  • Do not freeze.
  • The injection will be given to you in a healthcare setting. You will not store it at home.
General statements
  • If you have a life-threatening allergy, wear allergy identification at all times.
  • Do not share your medicine with others and do not take anyone else's medicine.
  • Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and pets.
  • Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, natural products, supplements, vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to healthcare provider (doctor, nurse, nurse practitioner, pharmacist, physician assistant).
  • Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine, including over-the-counter, natural products, or vitamins.
Brand Names: