Tobradex side effects: A detailed guide

Specifically, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Tobradex eye drops and ointment to treat eye conditions related to inflammation. Tobradex eye drops and ointment are used when the inflammation is due to a bacterial eye infection or when there is a risk of one. It’s used for this purpose in adults and children ages 2 years and older.

This article describes possible side effects of Tobradex eye drops and ointment. You can learn more about Tobradex by talking with your doctor.

Tobradex is a brand-name medication that comes as eye drops and ointment. Regular-strength Tobradex eye drops are available in generic versions called tobramycin and dexamethasone. Tobradex ointment and Tobradex ST eye drops are not available in generic versions. This article describes possible side effects of Tobradex.

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More common side effects of Tobradex

Tobradex eye drops and ointment may cause mild or serious side effects. Below are some of the more common side effects of this medication.

Commonly reported side effects of Tobradex eye drops and ointment include:

• mild allergic reaction
• eye pain
• eyelid itching and swelling
• eye redness

These side effects were reported in studies of Tobradex eye drops, Tobradex ST eye drops, and Tobradex ointment.

Mild side effects of Tobradex

Tobradex may cause certain mild side effects. Usually, mild side effects are temporary and can be easily managed. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have side effects that don’t go away or become bothersome.

Mild side effects of Tobradex eye drops and ointment that occurred in studies include:

• mild allergic reaction
• eye pain
• eyelid itching and swelling
• eye redness
• headache*

* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects of Tobradex in detail” section below.

These side effects were reported in studies of Tobradex eye drops, Tobradex ST eye drops, and Tobradex ointment.

Tobradex eye drops and ointment may cause more mild side effects than those listed above. For details, see the prescribing information for Tobradex eye drops, Tobradex ST eye drops, and Tobradex ointment.

Serious side effects of Tobradex

Tobradex may cause certain serious side effects. If you have any serious side effects from Tobradex eye drops and ointment, call your doctor right away. But if you think you’re having a medical emergency or your side effects feel life threatening, take immediate action. Call 911 or a local emergency number, or go to the nearest emergency room.

After the FDA approves a drug, it tracks and reviews side effects of the medication. Visit MedWatch’s website if you’d like to notify the FDA about a side effect you’ve had with Tobradex.

Serious side effects of Tobradex eye drops and ointment that occurred in studies include:

• cataract
• slower wound healing
• increased risk of bacterial eye infection
• increased risk of fungal eye infection
• blurry vision*
• increased pressure in the eye and glaucoma*

* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects of Tobradex in detail” section below.

These side effects were reported in studies of Tobradex eye drops, Tobradex ST eye drops, and Tobradex ointment.

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Allergic reaction

For some people, Tobradex eye drops and ointment can cause an allergic reaction. Mild allergic reactions were common compared to other side effects in studies of Tobradex eye drops, Tobradex ST eye drops, and Tobradex ointment. More serious allergic reactions are rare but possible.

In general, symptoms of an allergic reaction can be mild or serious. You can learn more about possible symptoms in this article.

Ways to manage

For mild allergic reaction symptoms, such as a mild rash around your eyes, call your doctor right away. They may recommend treatments to help manage your symptoms. They’ll also let you know whether you should keep taking the medication.

For severe allergic reaction symptoms, such as swelling or difficulty breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. These symptoms require immediate medical care because they can become life threatening. If you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to Tobradex eye drops and ointment, your doctor may recommend taking a different medication instead.

Side effects of Tobradex in detail

Below you’ll find details on some of the side effects of Tobradex eye drops and ointment.

Blurry vision

Blurry vision is possible after applying Tobradex ST eye drops. This wasn’t reported in studies of Tobradex eye drops or Tobradex ointment, but may still happen after applying either product. (Blurry vision is possible with most medications applied to the eye.)

Blurry vision can make your surroundings appear unclear or out of focus. This side effect is usually mild. Blurry vision after applying Tobradex should go away after a few minutes. However, it’s possible for this effect to linger. And, blurry vision symptoms could affect your ability to drive or operate machinery, possibly leading to more serious consequences such as a vehicle accident.

Ways to manage

When using Tobradex, wait several minutes after applying a dose before driving or operating machinery. Any symptoms of blurry vision should go away shortly after you use Tobradex. And, you shouldn’t experience blurry vision once treatment with Tobradex ends.

If your blurry vision symptoms linger or become bothersome, let your doctor know.

Increased pressure in the eye and glaucoma

In studies, increased pressure in the eye and glaucoma were rare in people using Tobradex eye drops and ointment. This side effect may be serious.

This side effect was reported in studies of Tobradex eye drops, Tobradex ST eye drops, and Tobradex ointment.

With glaucoma, you experience increased pressure in your eye. Glaucoma often doesn’t cause symptoms except for slow loss of vision over time. This occurs due to damage to your optic nerve. This vision loss worsens over time without treatment.

Certain factors can increase the risk of increased pressure in the eye and glaucoma with Tobradex eye drops and ointment. These include:

• having preexisting increased eye pressure or glaucoma; using Tobradex may worsen your condition
• using Tobradex for longer than 10 consecutive days

Ways to manage

If you will be using Tobradex for longer than 10 days, your doctor will monitor the pressure in your eyes. They can provide more details about monitoring your eye pressure if you use Tobradex long term.

Let your doctor know if you notice changes to your vision during your treatment. They can advise on the best way to address your symptoms.

Headache

In studies, headache was a rare side effect in people using Tobradex eye drops and ointment. This side effect is usually mild.

This side effect was reported in studies of Tobradex eye drops, Tobradex ST eye drops, and Tobradex ointment.

A mild headache causes symptoms such as pain on one or both sides of your head. A more serious headache can cause other symptoms, such as vision changes and sensitivity to sound or light.

Ways to manage

If you experience symptoms of headache, tell your doctor. They’ll likely recommend a treatment for your symptoms. This may include nonmedication therapies such as an ice pack or cold press applied to your head. Or, if they’re safe for you to take, your doctor may suggest an over-the-counter pain reliever such as ibuprofen (Advil) or acetaminophen (Tylenol) to treat your headache.

Warnings for Tobradex

Below are some factors you may want to discuss with your doctor before using Tobradex eye drops and ointment.

Warnings

It may not be safe for you to take Tobradex eye drops and ointment if you have specific health conditions. These are sometimes called drug-condition interactions. Other things may also affect whether Tobradex eye drops and ointment are safe treatment options for you.

Before taking Tobradex eye drops and ointment, tell your doctor about your health and the medications you take. Things to consider include:

• cataract
• contact lens use
• increased pressure in your eye or glaucoma
• viral infection in your eye, such as herpes simplex keratitis or varicella of the eye
• fungal infection in your eye
• past allergic reaction to Tobradex

Tobradex and pregnancy

It’s not known whether Tobradex eye drops and ointment should be used during pregnancy. If you’re planning a pregnancy or can become pregnant, talk with your doctor before using this medication.

Tobradex and breastfeeding

It’s not known whether Tobradex eye drops and ointment should be used while breastfeeding. If you’re breastfeeding or planning to do so, talk with your doctor before using this medication.

Tobradex and alcohol

Tobradex eye drops and ointment are not known to interact with alcohol.

If you drink alcohol, talk with your doctor about whether it’s safe to consume it during your treatment with Tobradex eye drops and ointment.

Disclaimer: Optum Perks has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.