Loteprednol+tobramycin
About Loteprednol+tobramycin
Loteprednol+tobramycin is an ophthalmic (for eye use) medication, primarily used to treat and prevent bacterial eye infections. It is effectively used to treat eye inflammation caused by allergies, shingles, severe acne, iritis (inflammation of the coloured part of the eye (iris)), uveitis (inflammation of the middle layer of the eye (uvea)), eye injury, radiation, and chemical burns. A bacterial eye infection occurs when bacteria invade any part of the eyeball or its surrounding tissues, including the cornea (clear front surface of the eye) and the conjunctiva (thin membrane lining the outer eye and inner eyelids).
Loteprednol+tobramycin contains two medicines: Tobramycin (an antibiotic) and Loteprednol (a corticosteroid). Tobramycin belongs to a class of antibiotics called aminoglycosides. It inhibits bacterial growth by interfering with protein synthesis. It binds to the bacteria's proteins, disrupting the cell membrane, and eventually leading to cell death. Loteprednol belongs to the class of corticosteroids. It blocks the production of prostaglandins (chemical messengers) that cause the eye to become red, swollen, and itchy.
Your doctor will advise you on how often to take Loteprednol+tobramycin, based on your medical condition. Some common side effects of Loteprednol+tobramycin include blurred vision, a burning or stinging sensation in the eye, and eye discomfort. These side effects typically do not require medical attention and usually resolve gradually over time.
Please do not use Loteprednol+tobramycin without consulting your doctor if you have any heart, liver and kidney diseases and allergic reactions to Loteprednol+tobramycin and its components. Avoid touching the eye dropper with your bare hands or taking it closer to the eyelids while administering drops, since it contaminates the dropper tip and solution. Avoid driving or operating machinery, as the administration of Loteprednol+tobramycin may cause blurred vision for a short time after use. If you are pregnant or a breastfeeding mother, please consult your doctor before using Loteprednol+tobramycin.
Uses of Loteprednol+tobramycin
• Treats bacterial eye infections: Loteprednol+tobramycin is effective in managing eye infections caused by harmful bacteria.
• Reduces allergic eye inflammation: Loteprednol+tobramycin helps relieve redness, itching, and swelling due to allergic reactions.
• Manages inflammation from shingles and acne: Loteprednol+tobramycin is used to treat eye inflammation resulting from shingles and severe acne.
• Treats iritis and uveitis: Loteprednol+tobramycin is effective in reducing inflammation of the iris (iritis) and the uvea (uveitis).
• Supports recovery from eye injuries: Loteprednol+tobramycin helps in healing inflammation caused by eye trauma, radiation, or chemical burns.
Medicinal Benefits
Loteprednol+tobramycin treats and prevents bacterial eye infections and contains two medicines, namely: Tobramycin (antibiotic) and Loteprednol (corticosteroid). Tobramycin is an aminoglycoside antibiotic that inhibits bacterial growth by interfering with protein synthesis. It binds to the bacteria's proteins, disrupting the cell membrane, and eventually leading to cell death. Loteprednol, a corticosteroid, blocks prostaglandins' production (chemical messengers) that make the eye red, swollen and itchy. Loteprednol+tobramycin is used to prevent or treat only bacterial eye infections.
Directions for Use
- Follow your doctor's instructions on the dosage and timing of this medication to ensure safe and effective use.
- Tilt the head back, pull down the lower eyelid, and squeeze the prescribed number of drops.
- Do not touch the container tip to the eye, eyelids, or surrounding areas to prevent contamination.
- Replace the cap tightly after use.
Storage
Side Effects of Loteprednol+tobramycin
- Blurred vision
- Burning/stinging sensation of the eye
- Eye discomfort
Drug Warnings
Before taking Loteprednol+tobramycin, let your doctor know if you have a history of eye problems (glaucoma and cataract), heart, liver or kidney diseases, and allergic reactions to Loteprednol+tobramycin and its components. Therapy with ophthalmic corticosteroids should be administered cautiously in patients with a history of cataracts, glaucoma, or increased intraocular pressure (IOP), which refers to the pressure inside the eye). It is advised to check with your doctor before using Loteprednol+tobramycin if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Avoid driving or operating machinery, as the administration of Loteprednol+tobramycin may cause temporary blurred vision for a short period.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interaction: Loteprednol+tobramycin may interact with water pills (furosemide), drugs treating stomach ulcers (lansoprazole), and the smallpox vaccine.
Drug-Food Interaction: It is advised to avoid or limit the intake of alcohol.
Drug-Disease Interaction: Brief your doctor before starting the medicine if you have a medical history of eye problems (glaucoma and cataract), heart, liver and kidney diseases, and allergic reactions to Loteprednol+tobramycin and its components. Loteprednol+tobramycin is contraindicated in most viral diseases of the cornea and conjunctiva.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
cautionThere is limited information on how alcohol consumption affects Loteprednol+tobramycin. Please consult your doctor before starting.
Pregnancy
cautionIt is not known if Loteprednol+tobramycin affects pregnancy and the unborn baby. Please consult your doctor if you are planning to become pregnant or are already pregnant before starting Loteprednol+tobramycin.
Breast Feeding
cautionPlease consult your doctor before starting Loteprednol+tobramycin if you are a lactating mother.
Driving
cautionLoteprednol+tobramycin may cause side effects, such as blurry vision, which could affect your driving ability. Do not drive or operate machinery in such cases. Drive only when you are alert and have clear vision.
Liver
cautionLet your doctor know if you have any history of liver disease. Your doctor will weigh the benefits and potential risks before prescribing Loteprednol+tobramycin.
Kidney
cautionLet your doctor know if you have any history of kidney disease. Your doctor will weigh the benefits and potential risks before prescribing Loteprednol+tobramycin.
Children
cautionPlease consult your doctor if Loteprednol+tobramycin is to be used in children. The dose may need to be adjusted by your doctor depending on the child's disease condition and age.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Take the medication as directed by the doctor and at regular intervals. Do not use other over-the-counter medications, herbal or vitamin supplements without informing your pharmacist or doctor when you take Loteprednol+tobramycin.
- Maintain good hygiene to keep your eyes clean and irritation-free.
- Do not rub your eyes, even though some ophthalmic drugs make your eyes itchy.
- Wash your hands thoroughly and do not touch the dropper before using drops to avoid contamination.
- Identify your allergy triggers, such as pollen, dust, and other environmental factors.
Special Advise
- It is advised to reach out to your doctor if the symptoms of the bacterial infection persist or worsen after two weeks of treatment.
- It is better to consult your ophthalmologist to rule out the possibilities of cataract, glaucoma or any damage to the optic nerves.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Bacterial eye infection: A bacterial eye infection occurs when bacteria invade any part of the eyeball or its surrounding tissues, including the cornea (clear front surface of the eye) and the conjunctiva (thin membrane lining the outer eye and inner eyelids). Symptoms of a bacterial eye infection include red eyes, pain, swelling of the eyes, watery eyes, itching, and blurry vision. Some prevalent/very common eye infections are Conjunctivitis (pink eye) and Stye.
Conjunctivitis: A condition caused by the inflammation and irritation of the eye's mucous membrane (conjunctiva).
Stye: Formation of a bump on the eyelid that happens when bacteria from the skin get into an eyelash's hair follicle.
FAQs
Loteprednol+tobramycin is used to treat and prevent bacterial eye infections. It is effectively used to treat eye inflammation caused by allergies, shingles, severe acne, iritis (inflammation of the coloured part of the eye (iris)), uveitis (inflammation of the middle layer of the eye (uvea)), eye injury, radiation, and chemical burns.
Loteprednol+tobramycin contains Tobramycin and Loteprednol. Tobramycin, an antibiotic, binds to the proteins of bacteria, disrupting the cell membrane and leading to cell death. Loteprednol, a corticosteroid, blocks prostaglandins production (chemical messengers) that make the eye red, swollen and itchy. Collectively, Loteprednol+tobramycin helps alleviate and treat symptoms of bacterial eye infections.
If you use other eye ointments or drops along with Loteprednol+tobramycin, it is recommended to wait at least 5-10 minutes after each administration. Also, use eye drops before applying any eye ointment.
Loteprednol+tobramycin may cause blurry vision for some time initially. Avoid driving and operating machinery in such cases until you feel better. If the effect persists longer, seek medical attention.
Avoid contact of the dropper or tip with fingers, eyes, and eyelids when you use eye ointment or eye drops. Topical eye products, when contaminated by patients with eye diseases, may cause bacterial keratitis (an infection of the cornea) and ocular infections (eye infections), which result in vision loss.
It is recommended to remove your contact lenses if you are wearing them while administering Loteprednol+tobramycin. Also, remember to wash your hands before and after administering the medicine to avoid contamination.
