Tobrex

What is Tobrex and how is it used?

Tobrex is a prescription medicine used to treat the symptoms of bacterial infections of the eye. Tobrex may be used alone or with other medications.

Tobrex belongs to a class of drugs called Aminoglycosides, Ophthalmic.

What are the possible side effects of Tobrex?

Tobrex may cause serious side effects including:

• severe burning, stinging, or irritation in the eye after using the medicine,
• eye swelling,
• redness,
• severe eye discomfort, and
• crusting or drainage of the eye

Get medical help right away, if you have any of the symptoms listed above.

The most common side effects of Tobrex include:

• eye itching,
• redness of the eye,
• mild burning, stinging or irritation,
• itchy or puffy eyelids,
• blurred vision, and
• sensitivity to light

Tell the doctor if you have any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away.

These are not all the possible side effects of Tobrex. For more information, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

DESCRIPTION

TOBREX® (tobramycin ophthalmic ointment) 0.3% is a sterile topical ophthalmic antibiotic formulation prepared specifically for topical therapy of external ophthalmic infections.

Each gram of TOBREX (tobramycin ophthalmic ointment) 0.3% contains: Active: tobramycin 0.3% (3 mg). Preservative: chlorobutanol 0.5%. Inactives: mineral oil, white petrolatum.

Tobramycin is a water-soluble aminoglycoside antibiotic active against a wide variety of gram-negative and gram-positive ophthalmic pathogens.

The chemical structure of tobramycin is:

Molecular formula: C₁₈H₃₇N₅O₉

Molecular weight: 467.52

Chemical name: 0-{3-amino-3-deoxy-α-D-gluco-pyranosyl-(1#4) }-0-{2,6-diamino-2,3,6-trideoxy-α-D-ribohexo-pyranosyl-(1#6) }-2-deoxystreptamine.

INDICATIONS

TOBREX^® (tobramycin ophthalmic ointment) 0.3 % is a topical antibiotic indicated in the treatment of external infections of the eye and its adnexa caused by susceptible bacteria. Appropriate monitoring of bacterial response to topical antibiotic therapy should accompany the use of TOBREX (tobramycin ophthalmic ointment) 0.3%. Clinical studies have shown tobramycin to be safe and effective for use in children.

DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION

In mild to moderate disease, apply a half-inch ribbon into the affected eye(s) 2 or 3 times per day. In severe infections, instill a half-inch ribbon into the affected eye(s) every 3 to 4 hours until improvement, following which treatment should be reduced prior to discontinuation.

How to Apply TOBREX (tobramycin ophthalmic ointment) 0.3%:

1. Tilt your head back.
2. Place a finger on your cheek just under your eye and gently pull down until a ''V'' pocket is formed between your eyeball and your lower lid.
3. Place a small amount (about ½ inch) of TOBREX^® (tobramycin ophthalmic ointment) 0.3% in the ''V'' pocket. Do not let the tip of the tube touch your eye.
4. Look downward before closing your eye.

HOW SUPPLIED

TOBREX (tobramycin ophthalmic ointment) 0.3% is supplied as a 3.5 g sterile ointment in an aluminum tube with a white polyethylene tip and white polyethylene cap as follows:

3.5 g containing tobramycin 0.3% (3 mg/g) - NDC 0065-0644-35

Storage

Store at 2°C to 25°C (36°F to 77°F).

After opening, TOBREX (tobramycin ophthalmic ointment) 0.3% can be used until the expiration date on the tube.

Distributed by: Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation, East Hanover, New Jersey 07936. Revised: Apr 2020

SIDE EFFECTS

The most frequent adverse reactions to TOBREX (tobramycin ophthalmic ointment) 0.3% are hypersensitivity and localized ocular toxicity, including lid itching and swelling, and conjunctival erythema. These reactions occur in less than three of 100 patients treated with TOBREX^® (tobramycin ophthalmic ointment) 0.3%.

Postmarketing Experience

Additional adverse reactions identified from postmarketing use include anaphylactic reaction, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, and erythema multiforme.

DRUG INTERACTIONS

No Information Provided

WARNINGS

NOT FOR INJECTION INTO THE EYE. Sensitivity to topically applied aminoglycosides may occur in some patients. Severity of hypersensitivity reactions may vary from local effects to generalized reactions such as erythema, itching, urticaria, skin rash, anaphylaxis, anaphylactoid reactions, or bullous reactions. If a sensitivity reaction to TOBREX (tobramycin ophthalmic ointment) 0.3% occurs, discontinue use.

PRECAUTIONS

General

As with other antibiotic preparations, prolonged use may result in overgrowth of nonsusceptible organisms, including fungi. If superinfection occurs, appropriate therapy should be initiated. Ophthalmic ointments may retard corneal wound healing.

Cross-sensitivity to other aminoglycoside antibiotics may occur; if hypersensitivity develops with this product, discontinue use and institute appropriate therapy.

Patients should be advised not to wear contact lenses if they have signs and symptoms of ocular infections.

Pregnancy

Reproduction studies in three types of animals at doses up to thirty-three times the normal human systemic dose have revealed no evidence of impaired fertility or harm to the fetus due to tobramycin. There are, however, no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women. Because animal studies are not always predictive of human response, this drug should be used during pregnancy only if clearly needed.

Nursing Mothers

Because of the potential for adverse reactions in nursing infants from TOBREX^® (tobramycin ophthalmic ointment) 0.3%, a decision should be made whether to discontinue nursing the infant or discontinue the drug, taking into account the importance of the drug to the mother.

Pediatric Use

Safety and effectiveness in pediatric patients below the age of 2 months has not been established.

Geriatric Use

No overall clinical differences in safety or effectiveness have been observed between the elderly and other adult patients.

OVERDOSE

No Information Provided

CONTRAINDICATIONS

TOBREX (tobramycin ophthalmic ointment) 0.3 % is contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity to any of its components.

CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY

In Vitro Data

In vitro studies have demonstrated tobramycin is active against susceptible strains of the following microorganisms: Staphylococci, including S. aureus and S. epidermidis (coagulase-positive and coagulase-negative), including penicillin-resistant strains.

Streptococci, including some of the Group A-beta-hemolytic species, some nonhemolytic species, and some Streptococcus pneumoniae.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Enterobacter aerogenes, Proteus mirabilis, Morganella morganii, most Proteus vulgaris strains, Haemophilus influenzae and H. aegyptius, Moraxella lacunata, Acinetobacter calcoaceticus and some Neisseria species. Bacterial susceptibility studies demonstrate that in some cases, microorganisms resistant to gentamicin retain susceptibility to tobramycin.

PATIENT INFORMATION

Do not touch tube tip to any surface, as this may contaminate the ointment.

Do not use the product if the imprinted carton seals have been damaged, or removed.