Tobradex and Tobrex: Uses, Effects and Price of This Medicine

The eyes are one of the most delicate organs in the body. They need to be constantly hydrated to prevent the formation of solid waste such as rheumatism and infections.

Conjunctivitis is one of the most common diseases that can damage the organs of vision, which is why proper maintenance of the eyes is necessary and, if I know of an infection, effective treatment is necessary.

Among the treatments used to treat eye infections we have Tobradex and Tobrex, two medications whose active ingredient is tobramycin which we are going to explain in depth in this article, its uses, effects and its price.

Table of Contents

What are Tobradex and Tobrex?

Tobrex is an antibiotic medication, used for eye infections of bacterial origin Its main active component is tobramycin, an antibiotic from the aminoglycoside family whose function is to inhibit the protein synthesis of gram-negative bacteria.

Because tobramycin is a powerful and fast-acting substance, medications made from this compound are widely used in clinical practice to combat ophthalmological infections.

It should be said that one of the problems that can develop in the long run when using both Tobradex and Tobrex is that, Due to the adaptive capacity of gram-negative bacteria, they present resistance to tobramycin causing the effect of these medications to become less and less over time.

The main difference between Tobradex and Tobrex is their chemical composition. Tobradex is composed of tobramycin with a concentration of 3mg/ml and dexamethasone 1mg/ml. Dexamethasone is a powerful corticosteroid, which is what makes Tobradex different from Tobrex since this second medication does not contain it in its composition.

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What are they used for?

Tobrex is primarily used to treat conjunctivitis, which is an inflammation of the connective membrane, which is transparent and covers the eyes and part of the eyelids. The conjunctiva membrane is made up of small blood vessels that make the eye red when they become inflamed.

Normally, conjunctivitis does not pose a major problem other than eye discomfort and a reddish appearance, with a favorable evolution. It rarely degenerates into vision problems.

The causes of conjunctivitis can be varied, including allergies, pathogens such as mites, dust, pollen and solid remains of cosmetics and makeup. Another cause, which is what products with tobramycin combat, are bacteria that, together with viruses, cause a third of diagnosed conjunctivitis.

Tobradex and Tobrex are indicated for other inflammatory processes (in addition to conjunctivitis) caused by bacteria.

Presentation and administration

Tobrex is sold in the form of eye drops by Novartis laboratories, in 5 ml bottles with a 3 mg/ml concentration of tobramycin. Its administration is directly to the infected eye.

It is also sold in the form of an ointment applying to the skin near the affected eye.

Both types of presentations can be administered to children from 12 months of age and older.

Tobradex is also sold in the form of eye drops and ointment by Novartis laboratories. In the form of eye drops, it is presented as a combination of 1 mg/ml of Dexamethasone and 3 mg/ml of Tobramycin in a 5 ml bottle. It is recommended to use the drops every 4 or 6 hours. Tobradex in ointment form can be combined with eye drops, using the drops during the day and the ointment before going to sleep.

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Dosage

For mild problems, One or two drops of Tobrex eye drops are applied to the affected eye every four hours If the condition is greater, the recommendation is to apply two drops of the eye drops every hour and not interrupt the treatment, but rather extend the applications until the treatment has been completed.

To prevent the infection from getting worse, it is recommended to clean your hands thoroughly before using the eye drops, store it in a cool, clean place and avoid touching other medicines. The drops should fall into the space between the eyeball and the eyelid.

In the case of Tobrex ointment, the recommendation is to apply 1 cubic centimeter of the ointment on the infected eye two or three times a day if it is mild. If the infection is severe, it is recommended to do it every three or four hours. The cream should fall into the space between the lower eyelid and the diseased eye.

Between the eye drops and the ointment, it should be noted that the second is the one that causes less absorption of tobramycin, since it is applied to the cornea and the conjunctiva membrane, two parts with low absorption capacity.

Mechanism of action

In the case of Tobradex, being a combination of tobramycin with dexamethasone, its mechanism of action involves the association of a corticosteroid that inhibits the inflammatory response with an aminoglycoside antibiotic of great power and wide spectrum of intervention. These substances act on bacterial cells, inhibiting protein synthesis.

Side effects

Tobrex can cause the main side effects itching, watering, redness of the eye Swelling of the conjunctiva and eyelid and hypersensitivity may also occur.

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In the case of Tobradex, there may be, in addition to the effects of Tobrex, conjunctival erythema and glaucoma If used for a long time, increased pressure inside the eye, burning, stinging, blurred vision, damage to the optic nerve, secondary eye infections and cataracts may occur.

Contraindications

In pregnant and lactating women It is recommended to assess the risk-benefit ratio before starting treatment with tobramycin.

In both Tobrex and Tobradex treatments, it is recommended to avoid using contact lenses during application and wait about 20 minutes before putting them back in. It should be noted that because in conjunctivitis the eye is more sensitive and more vulnerable to other infections, it is recommended to avoid the use of contact lenses.

It is not recommended to operate heavy machinery or drive vehicles after applying the eye drops.

Its use is not recommended if you are suffering from any type of medical condition in which thinning of the cornea and sclera occurs.