Loteprednol+tobramycin
About
Loteprednol+tobramycin is an ophthalmic (for eye use) medication, primarily used to treat and prevent bacterial eye infections. It is effectively used to treat eye inflammation caused by allergies, shingles, severe acne, iritis (inflammation of the coloured part of the eye (iris)), uveitis (inflammation of the middle layer of the eye (uvea)), eye injury, radiation, and chemical burns. A bacterial eye infection occurs when bacteria invade any part of the eyeball or its surrounding tissues, including the cornea (clear front surface of the eye) and the conjunctiva (thin membrane lining the outer eye and inner eyelids).
Loteprednol+tobramycin contains two medicines, namely: Tobramycin (antibiotic) and Loteprednol (corticosteroid). Tobramycin belongs to a class of drugs called aminoglycoside antibiotics. It inhibits bacteria growth by interfering with protein synthesis. It binds to the bacteria's proteins, disrupting the cell membrane, and eventually leading to cell death. Loteprednol belongs to the class of corticosteroids. It blocks prostaglandins' production (chemical messengers) that make the eye red, swollen and itchy.
Your doctor will advise on how often you take Loteprednol+tobramycin based on your medical condition. Some common side effects of Loteprednol+tobramycin include blurred vision, burning/stinging sensation in the eye, and eye discomfort. These side effects do not require medical attention and gradually resolve over time.
Please do not use Loteprednol+tobramycin without consulting your doctor if you have any heart, liver and kidney diseases and allergic reactions to Loteprednol+tobramycin and its components. Avoid touching the eye dropper with bare hands or taking it closer to the eyelids while administering drops since it contaminates the dropper tip and solution. Avoid driving or operating machines since the administration of Loteprednol+tobramycin causes blurred vision for a while after using. If you are pregnant or a breastfeeding mother, please consult your doctor before using Loteprednol+tobramycin.
Uses of Loteprednol+tobramycin
Medicinal Benefits
Loteprednol+tobramycin treats and prevents bacterial eye infections and contains two medicines, namely: Tobramycin (antibiotic) and Loteprednol (corticosteroid). Tobramycin is an aminoglycoside antibiotic that inhibits bacteria growth by interfering with protein synthesis. It binds to the bacteria's proteins, disrupting the cell membrane, and eventually leading to cell death. Loteprednol, a corticosteroid, blocks prostaglandins' production (chemical messengers) that make the eye red, swollen and itchy. Loteprednol+tobramycin is used to prevent or treat only bacterial eye infections.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Loteprednol+tobramycin
- Blurred vision
- Burning/stinging sensation of the eye
- Eye discomfort
In-Depth Precautions and Warning
Drug Warnings
Before taking Loteprednol+tobramycin, let your doctor know if have a history of eye problems (glaucoma and cataract), heart, liver or kidney diseases, and allergic reactions to Loteprednol+tobramycin and its components. Therapy with ophthalmic corticosteroids should be administered cautiously in patients with a history of cataracts, glaucoma, or increased intraocular pressure (increased pressure inside the eye). It is advised to check with your doctor before using Loteprednol+tobramycin if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Avoid driving or operating machines since the administration of Loteprednol+tobramycin may cause temporary blurred vision for a while.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interaction: Loteprednol+tobramycin may interact with water pills (furosemide), drugs treating stomach ulcers (lansoprazole), and the smallpox vaccine.
Drug-Food Interaction: It is advised to avoid or limit the intake of alcohol.
Drug-Disease Interaction: Brief your doctor before starting the medicine if you have a medical history of eye problems (glaucoma and cataract), heart, liver and kidney diseases, and allergic reactions to Loteprednol+tobramycin and its components. Loteprednol+tobramycin is contraindicated in most viral diseases of the cornea and conjunctiva.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
cautionThere is limited information on how alcohol consumption affects Loteprednol+tobramycin. Please consult your doctor before starting.
Pregnancy
cautionIt is not known if Loteprednol+tobramycin affects pregnancy and unborn baby. Please consult your doctor if you are planning to become pregnant or already pregnant before starting Loteprednol+tobramycin.
Breast Feeding
cautionPlease consult your doctor before starting Loteprednol+tobramycin if you are a lactating mother.
Driving
cautionLoteprednol+tobramycin may cause side effects like blurry vision, affecting your driving ability. Do not drive or operate machinery in such cases. Drive only when you are alert and have clear vision.
Liver
cautionLet your doctor know if you have any history of liver diseases. Your doctor will weigh the benefits and potential risks before prescribing Loteprednol+tobramycin.
Kidney
cautionLet your doctor know if you have any history of kidney diseases. Your doctor will weigh the benefits and potential risks before prescribing Loteprednol+tobramycin.
Children
cautionPlease consult your doctor if Loteprednol+tobramycin is to be used in children. The dose may have to be adjusted by your doctor depending upon the condition of the children's disease and age.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Take the medication as directed by the doctor and at regular intervals. Do not use other over the counter medications, herbal or vitamin supplements without informing your pharmacist or doctor when you take Loteprednol+tobramycin.
- Try to maintain good hygiene to keep your eyes clean and irritant-free.
- Do not rub your eyes even though some ophthalmic drugs make your eye itchy.
- Wash your hands thoroughly and do not touch the dropper before using drops to avoid contamination.
- Know your allergy triggers, such as pollen, dust and other factors.
Special Advise
- It is advised to reach out to your doctor if the bacterial infection symptoms persist or worsen after two treatment weeks.
- It is better to consult your ophthalmologist to rule out the possibilities of cataract, glaucoma or any damage to the optic nerves.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Bacterial eye infection: A bacterial eye infection occurs when bacteria invade any part of the eyeball or its surrounding tissues, including the cornea (clear front surface of the eye) and the conjunctiva (thin membrane lining the outer eye and inner eyelids). A bacterial eye infection symptoms include red eyes, pain, swelling of eyes, watery eyes, itching, and blurry vision. Some prevalent/very common eye infections are Conjunctivitis (pink eye) and Stye.
Conjunctivitis: A condition caused by the inflammation and irritation of the eye's mucous membrane (conjunctiva).
Stye: Formation of a bump on the eyelid that happens when bacteria from the skin get into an eyelash's hair follicle.
FAQs
Loteprednol+tobramycin contains Tobramycin and Loteprednol. Tobramycin, an antibiotic, binds to the bacteria's proteins, disrupting the cell membrane, and leading to cell death. Loteprednol, a corticosteroid, blocks prostaglandins' production (chemical messengers) that make the eye red, swollen and itchy. Collectively, Loteprednol+tobramycin helps in relieving and treating symptoms of bacterial eye infections.
If you use other eye ointments/drops along with Loteprednol+tobramycin, it is advised to maintain a gap of at least 5-10 minutes after each administration. Also, use eye drops before applying any eye ointment.
Loteprednol+tobramycin can cause a blurry vision for some time in the beginning. Avoid driving and operating machinery in such cases until you feel better. If the effect persists longer, seek medical attention.
Avoid the contact of the dropper or tip with fingers, eyes, and eyelids when you use eye ointment or eye drops. Topical eye products, when contaminated by patients with eye diseases, bacterial keratitis (an infection of the cornea) and ocular infections (eye infections) may occur, which result in vision loss.
It is advised to remove your contact lens if you are wearing it while administering Loteprednol+tobramycin. Also, remember to wash your hands before and after administering the medicine to avoid contamination.
