tobramycin sulfate at a glance
Medicine class
Aminoglycoside antibiotic
Usual role
Treatment of serious bacterial infections when susceptibility and clinical circumstances support its use
Administration
Given into a vein or muscle by a healthcare professional
Key monitoring
Kidney function, blood tobramycin concentrations and hearing or balance function may be monitored
What is tobramycin sulfate used for?
The selected injection is licensed for serious infections caused by susceptible microorganisms.
Central nervous system infections, including meningitis
Septicaemia and neonatal sepsis
Gastrointestinal infections, including peritonitis
Complicated or recurrent urinary tract infections
Lower respiratory tract infections, including pneumonia and bronchopneumonia
Skin, bone and soft-tissue infections, including infected burns
Selected serious staphylococcal infections when less potentially toxic alternatives are unsuitable and susceptibility testing supports use
How does tobramycin sulfate work?
Tobramycin interferes with bacterial protein production, killing susceptible bacteria. Resistance patterns vary, so microbiology results are important where available.
tobramycin sulfate preparations and strengths
Injection
Route: Parenteral
Strengths: 40 mg/mL
How to take tobramycin sulfate
This injection is prepared and administered by a healthcare professional. It may be injected into a muscle or given intravenously; it must not be administered into the spinal canal.
Tell the team about kidney problems, hearing or balance problems, dehydration, muscle disorders, extensive burns or previous aminoglycoside treatment.
Mention any personal or maternal family history of hearing loss linked to antibiotics or a known mitochondrial mutation.
It should be administered separately rather than physically premixed with another medicine unless compatibility has been established.
tobramycin sulfate side effects
Common or expected effects
- Nausea, vomiting or diarrhoea
- Headache or tiredness
- Pain at the injection site
- Rash or itching
- Changes in blood electrolyte or liver-test results
Get urgent medical advice
- Kidney injury, which may cause reduced urine output or abnormal urine
- Ringing in the ears, hearing loss, dizziness or vertigo; hearing loss can be irreversible
- Severe allergic reaction or bronchospasm
- Severe skin peeling
- Muscle twitching, numbness, pins and needles, marked weakness or fits
- Blood-cell changes causing unusual bruising, persistent fever, sore throat or pronounced tiredness
tobramycin sulfate in pregnancy
Tobramycin crosses the placenta. Aminoglycosides used in early pregnancy are not known to increase birth-defect rates, but fetal hearing toxicity is a potential concern. The injection should be used only when a specialist judges that the expected benefit outweighs the risk of leaving the infection untreated.
tobramycin sulfate while breastfeeding
Tobramycin passes into breast milk, and the selected injection's product information advises avoiding it while breastfeeding. A prescriber or specialist breastfeeding service should assess the infection, alternatives and infant's needs before deciding whether breastfeeding should continue.
tobramycin sulfate interactions
Tell the clinical team about all prescribed, non-prescribed and recently stopped medicines. Important interactions include:
Other aminoglycosides
Concurrent or sequential use can increase kidney, hearing and nervous-system toxicity.
Vancomycin, colistin, amphotericin B and other nephrotoxic or ototoxic anti-infectives
Combined toxicity may increase kidney damage or hearing impairment, requiring close monitoring.
Potent diuretics
Some can increase aminoglycoside-associated hearing toxicity and should not be given concurrently.
Common questions about tobramycin sulfate
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
Is tobramycin sulfate a penicillin antibiotic?
No. It is an aminoglycoside antibiotic and works differently from penicillins.
How is the injection administered?
A healthcare professional gives it into a vein or muscle. It must not be injected into the spinal canal.
Why are blood tests needed?
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.