Dexamethasone+tobramycin
About Dexamethasone+tobramycin
Dexamethasone+tobramycin is an ophthalmic (eye) medication prescribed to treat bacterial eye infections accompanied by significant inflammation or swelling. It helps clear the infection while soothing redness, irritation, and discomfort in the affected eye. This medicine is typically used for short-term treatment under the close supervision of an eye doctor.
To get the best results, you must use Dexamethasone+tobramycin consistently at the exact times your doctor recommends. It is important not to skip any doses, even if your eye begins to feel better, as stopping too early can allow the infection to return. Keeping your eyes clean, avoiding touching your eyes, and resting them from screens can further support your recovery.
While using Dexamethasone+tobramycin, you might experience mild, temporary burning or stinging in your eye right after putting the drops in. These common reactions usually go away quickly, but you should contact your doctor immediately if you notice severe eye pain, changes in your vision, or signs of a new or worsening infection.
Before using this medicine, talk to your doctor if you have glaucoma, a history of high pressure inside your eye, or if you have a viral or fungal eye infection. Do not use this medicine if you have a known allergy to any antibiotic or steroid eye drops, or if you currently have a herpes simplex infection of the eye.
Be sure to tell your healthcare provider about any other eye drops or ointments you are using, as they can interfere with how this medicine works. If you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, breastfeeding, or are caring for an elderly patient, consult your doctor to ensure this treatment is safe for your specific situation.
Uses of Dexamethasone+tobramycin
Medicinal Benefits
Dexamethasone+tobramycin offers significant relief by targeting both the root cause of your eye infection and the painful symptoms associated with it. By combining an infection-fighting agent with a swelling-reducer, this medicine helps your eyes heal faster and feel more comfortable. Key benefits include the following:
- Rapid relief from discomfort: It quickly calms burning, itching, and irritation, allowing you to go about your daily activities without constant eye pain.
- Reduced swelling and redness: By easing inflammation, it helps clear up red, bloodshot eyes and reduces puffiness around the eyelids.
- Protection against complications: It helps prevent the bacterial infection from spreading deeper into the eye, protecting your long-term vision.
Directions for Use
- Follow your doctor's instructions on the dosage and timing of this medication.
- Tilt your head and pull down the lower eyelid to create a small sac. Squeeze the prescribed amount of dose into the sac using the dropper. Close your eyes for about 2 to 3 minutes.
- Wipe any excess liquid with a tissue.
- Do not wipe or rinse the dropper tip after use. Place the dropper back on the bottle and tighten the cap.
Storage
Side Effects of Dexamethasone+tobramycin
Common Side Effects (Usually mild):
- Temporary mild stinging or burning in the eye immediately after use
- Watery eyes or mild eye irritation
- Temporary blurred vision
- Itching or redness of the eyelids
Serious Side Effects (Call a doctor right away):
- Severe eye pain, burning, or swelling
- Changes in your vision, such as sudden blurriness or seeing halos around lights
- Signs of a new eye infection, such as pus or thick discharge coming from the eye
- Slow wound healing in the eye
- Signs of an allergic reaction, including a severe skin rash, itching, or swelling of the face, tongue, or throat
Medicines Containing this Salt
View AllDrug Warnings
- Shake well before use: If you are using the liquid suspension form of Dexamethasone+tobramycin, shake the bottle thoroughly before each dose to ensure the medicine is properly mixed.
- Inspect the solution: Always check the liquid before applying it. Do not use the drops if the solution has changed colour, looks cloudy, or has particles floating in it.
- Do not share your medicine: Never share Dexamethasone+tobramycin with anyone else, even if they have similar symptoms, as this can spread infections and lead to incorrect use.
- Avoid driving after application: This medicine may cause temporary blurred vision right after you put it in your eye. Wait until your vision is completely clear before driving or operating machinery.
- Discard after 28 days: Once opened, most eye drops should be discarded after 4 weeks (28 days) to prevent bacterial growth inside the bottle, even if there is still medicine left.
Drug Interactions
- Other steroid eye drops: Using multiple steroid drops together can increase the risk of high pressure inside the eye.
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID) eye drops: Using these alongside Dexamethasone+tobramycin may slow down the healing process of the cornea.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
cautionThe interaction of Dexamethasone+tobramycin with alcohol is unknown. Consult your doctor for more information.
Pregnancy
cautionIf you are pregnant, inform your doctor before using Dexamethasone+tobramycin. It is given to pregnant women only if the doctor thinks the benefits outweigh the risks.
Breast Feeding
cautionConsult your doctor if you are a nursing mother. Your doctor will prescribe Dexamethasone+tobramycin only if the benefits outweigh the risks.
Driving
cautionIt is better to avoid driving as Dexamethasone+tobramycin usually causes temporarily blurred vision and affects your driving ability.
Liver
safe if prescribedDexamethasone+tobramycin can be used safely in patients with liver diseases if prescribed by a doctor.
Kidney
safe if prescribedDexamethasone+tobramycin can be used safely in patients with kidney diseases if prescribed by a doctor.
Children
cautionDexamethasone+tobramycin should be used in children when prescribed by a doctor. This medicine is not advised for use in children below two years of age.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Do not wear contact lenses: Avoid wearing contact lenses while treating an active eye infection or using Dexamethasone+tobramycin, as the lenses can trap bacteria or absorb preservatives from the medication. Ask your doctor when it is safe to wear them again.
- Practise strict eye hygiene: Wash your hands frequently, especially before and after touching your face or applying eye drops, to prevent the spread of infection.
- Avoid eye makeup: Do not use eye makeup, mascara, or cosmetic creams around your eyes during treatment, as these products can introduce new bacteria or cause further irritation.
- Use separate towels: Use clean, separate towels and washcloths to prevent spreading the infection to other family members or to your other eye.
- Wear sunglasses: Your eyes may become more sensitive to light during treatment. Wearing sunglasses outdoors can help protect your eyes from discomfort and bright light.
Special Advise
Do not take Dexamethasone+tobramycin on your own, as self-medication may lead to antibiotic resistance in which antibiotics fail to act against specific bacterial infections.
Use of Dexamethasone+tobramycin for prolonged may result in a new fungal eye infection (secondary infection). Do not use Dexamethasone+tobramycin for longer than prescribed.
Dexamethasone+tobramycin should not be administered directly into the anterior chamber of the eye.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Bacterial eye infection: Bacterial eye infection occurs when harmful bacteria invade any part of the eye, such as the eyeball, conjunctiva, or cornea. The common bacterial eye infections are conjunctivitis, keratitis, etc. Conjunctivitis (pink eye) is the inflammation or infection of the conjunctiva (white part of the eye) and the inner eyelid. It is a highly contagious infection that is spread by eye secretions. Symptoms include redness, itchiness, and discharge or crusting around the eye. Keratitis is the inflammation of the cornea that occurs due to frequent use of contact lenses, injury, diabetes, or surgery.
FAQs
Dexamethasone+tobramycin is used to treat bacterial eye and ear infections. It is used to treat eye infections such as conjunctivitis (infection of the outer white membrane of the eyeball) and corneal ulcers (ulcer that occurs in the transplant membrane of the eye called the cornea).
Dexamethasone+tobramycin contains tobramycin and dexamethasone. Tobramycin is an aminoglycoside antibiotic. It acts by inhibiting bacteria's growth. It binds to the proteins in the bacteria, disrupting the cell functions and eventually leading to bacterial death. Dexamethasone is a corticosteroid that blocks the production of certain chemical messengers (prostaglandins) that make the eye red, swollen, and itchy.
Do not take Dexamethasone+tobramycin on your own, as self-medication may lead to antibiotic resistance in which antibiotics fail to act against specific bacterial infections.
If you have diabetes, Dexamethasone+tobramycin can increase the risk of intraocular pressure (glaucoma) and cataract formation in diabetic patients. However, please consult your doctor before using Dexamethasone+tobramycin.
If you miss a dose of Dexamethasone+tobramycin, take the missed dose as soon as you remember it. However, if it's almost time for the next dose, do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.
It is advised to use Dexamethasone+tobramycin only for the prescribed period as long-term usage of Dexamethasone+tobramycin may cause a new fungal eye infection (secondary infection). Prolonged use of corticosteroids may result in glaucoma, damage to the optic nerve, and defects in visual acuity and fields of vision. Intraocular pressure should be monitored if this product is used for ten days or longer.
No, you should not wear contact lenses while using this medication or while you have an active eye infection. The preservatives in the eye drops can be absorbed by soft lenses, and lenses can trap bacteria against your eye. Talk to your doctor to find out when it is safe to wear your lenses again.
Generally, you should discard the bottle 28 days after opening it to prevent contamination with bacteria. Mark the date you opened the bottle on the label. If you are unsure, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.
It is common to feel a mild, temporary stinging or burning sensation in your eye immediately after putting the drops in. This usually lasts only a minute or two. If the stinging is severe, does not go away, or gets worse, talk to your doctor
No, you must complete the full course of treatment exactly as prescribed, even if your symptoms improve. Stopping too early can allow the remaining bacteria to multiply, causing the infection to return. Talk to your doctor before stopping the medication.
No, this medicine is only effective against bacterial eye infections and will not cure infections caused by viruses, fungi, or parasites. Using it for a viral infection can actually make the infection worse. Talk to your doctor for a proper diagnosis.
This medication should only be used during pregnancy if the potential benefits outweigh the risks. Only a small amount of the drug enters the bloodstream, but caution is still required. Talk to your doctor before using these eye drops if you are pregnant.
If anyone accidentally swallows the eye drops, seek medical attention immediately. Though the bottle is small, swallowing the contents can be harmful. Talk to your doctor if you have further concerns.
Yes, but you must space them out. Wait at least 5 to 10 minutes after using Dexamethasone+tobramycin before applying any other eye drops or ointments to ensure the first medicine has time to work. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about the best schedule for your medications.
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