dexamethasone + tobramycin at a glance
Medicine class
Corticosteroid and aminoglycoside antibiotic eye-drop combination
Licensed role
Inflammation treatment and infection prevention associated with cataract surgery
Administration
For use in the eyes only; shake well before use
Contact lenses
Remove soft lenses before use and wait 15 minutes before reinserting them
What is dexamethasone + tobramycin used for?
The selected UK product is licensed following cataract surgery.
Prevention and treatment of postoperative eye inflammation.
Prevention of associated infection in adults and children aged 2 years and older.
How does dexamethasone + tobramycin work?
Dexamethasone reduces inflammatory signalling and inflammatory-cell movement into eye tissues. Tobramycin disrupts bacterial protein production, killing susceptible bacteria.
dexamethasone + tobramycin preparations and strengths
Eye drops
Route: Ophthalmic
Strengths: 3 mg + 1 mg/mL
How to take dexamethasone + tobramycin
Use only in the eye as instructed. Wash your hands, shake the bottle well, pull down the lower eyelid and place the drop into the pocket without touching the eye, eyelid or another surface with the tip.
Close the eye and gently press the inner corner beside the nose to reduce absorption into the body.
Replace the cap promptly and keep the bottle closed.
If using other eye preparations, apply ointments last.
Do not drive or operate machinery until any temporary blurred vision clears.
dexamethasone + tobramycin side effects
Common or expected effects
- Eye irritation, burning, itching or discomfort
- Eye pain or watering
- Temporary blurred vision
- Headache
- Unpleasant taste
- Redness or swelling around the eye
Get urgent medical advice
- Severe allergic reaction, including facial or throat swelling, breathing difficulty or collapse
- Blistering or peeling skin
- Persistent or worsening visual disturbance
- Severe eye pain or possible corneal injury
- New or worsening infection
dexamethasone + tobramycin in pregnancy
The selected combination product is not recommended during pregnancy because evidence for topical use of both ingredients together is limited. Discuss pregnancy or plans for pregnancy with the ophthalmology team or prescriber.
dexamethasone + tobramycin while breastfeeding
An individual decision about breastfeeding and treatment is advised because combination-specific evidence is limited. Specialist guidance considers ophthalmic dexamethasone compatible with breastfeeding and reports no additional risk from topical antibiotic combinations for full-term, healthy infants. Seek specialist advice if the infant is premature or unwell.
dexamethasone + tobramycin interactions
Systemic interactions are uncommon with ocular use, but important precautions remain.
Topical non-steroidal anti-inflammatory eye drops
Using them with an ocular corticosteroid may increase corneal or wound-healing problems.
Ritonavir or cobicistat
These may increase systemic dexamethasone effects, including adrenal suppression or Cushing’s syndrome.
Other eye drops or eye ointments
Apply eye ointments last to avoid washing out the preceding product.
Common questions about dexamethasone + tobramycin
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
Is this both an antibiotic and a steroid?
Yes. Tobramycin is an aminoglycoside antibiotic, while dexamethasone is a corticosteroid that reduces inflammation.
Can it treat any red or infected eye?
No. The selected product is licensed for cataract-surgery-associated inflammation and infection prevention. Steroids can worsen some untreated viral, fungal, parasitic or purulent infections.
Why must the drops be shaken?
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.