Tobramycin Ophthalmic Description

Generic Name : TOBRAMYCIN OPHTHALMIC

Pronunciation : (toe bra mye' sin)

Trade Name(s) : Tobacin, Tobraneg

Why it is prescribed: Tobramycin kills bacteria that cause certain eye infections.

When it is to be taken: Tobramycin ophtlamic usually is used every four hours or two or three times a day. Follow the instructions on your prescription label. If you use another eye medication as well as tobramycin, apply it atleast 15 minutes after you apply tobramycin.

How it should be taken: Tobramycin comes in the form of eyedrops and eye ointment. Your prescription label tells you how much ointment or how many drops to apply at each dose.
If you are to use the eyedrops, follow these stops:
1. Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water.
2. Use a mirror or have someone else put the drops in your eye.
3. Make sure that the end of the dropper is not chipped or cracked.
4. Avoid touching the dropper tip against your eye or anything else.
5. Hold the dropper tip down at all times to prevent drops from flowing back into the bottle and contaminating the remaining contents.
6. Lie down or tilt your head back.
7. Holding the bottle between your thumb and index finger, place the dropper tip as near as possible to your eyelid without touching it.
8. Brace the remaining fingers of that hand against your cheek or nose.
9. With the index finger of your other hand, pull the lower lid of the eye down to form a pocket.
10. Drop the prescribed number of drops into the pocket made by the lower lid and the eye. Placing drops on the surface of the eyeball can cause stinging.
11. Close your eye for two to three minutes to keep the medication in the eye.
12. Replace and tighten the cap right away. Do not wipe or rinse it off.
13. Wipe off any excess liquid from your cheek with a clean tissue. Wash your hands again.
If you are to use the ointment, follow these instructions:
1. Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water.
2. Use a mirror or have someone else apply the ointment.
3. Avoid touching the tip of the tube against your eye or anything else - the ointment must be kept clean.
4. Lie down or tilt your head back.
5. Holding the tube between your thumb and index finger, place the tube as near as possible to your eyelid without touching it.
6. Brace the remaining fingers of that hand against your cheek or nose.
7. With the index finger of your other hand, pull the lower lid of your eye down to form a pocket.
8. Place a small amount of ointment into the pocket made by the lower lid and the eye.
9. Blink your eye gently.
10. Replace and tighten the cap right away.
11. Wipe off any excess ointment from your eyelids and lashes with a clean tissue. Wash your hands again.

Special Instruction :
1. Do not touch the end of the dropper or ointment tube with your hands or let it touch your infected eye.
2. Continue using this medication for as long as directed. If your infection does not improve within two or three days or if it gets worse, contact your doctor.
3. If you forget to take a dose, apply the missed dose when you remember it and apply any remaining doses for that day at evenly spaced intervals. However, if you remember a missed dose at the time you are schedule to apply the next one, do not apply a double dose; apply the scheduled dose. Then follow your regular medication schedule.

Side Effects :
1. Temporary blurred vision. If this effect does not go away, contact your doctor.
2. Tearing, itching and swelling of the eyelid, redness of the eye. Contact your doctor.

Other Precautions :
1. If you ever had a bad reaction to gentamycin eyedrops or eye ointment, tell your doctor before using tobramycin ophthalmic.
2. Throw away any unused part of your prescription. Do not save it for another infection.
3. Do not allow anyone else to use this medication.

Storage Conditions :
1. Keep this medication out of the reach of children.
2. Store it at room temperature, away from heat or under refrigeration.