Tobramycin

Tobramycin is an aminoglycoside antibiotic used to treat bacterial infections. It is mostly used to treat eye infections such as conjunctivitis. Besides this, it is also useful in the treatment of various bacterial infections of the brain and spinal cord (meningitis), stomach or intestines, bladder or kidney (urinary tract infection), lungs (pneumonia), and also used for infections of the bone, skin or soft tissue including burns. A bacterial infection is a condition in which bacteria grows in the body and cause infection. It can target any body part and multiply very quickly. Infectious or harmful bacteria can make you sick and reproduce quickly in your body. These harmful bacteria produce chemicals known as toxins, which can damage tissue and make you sick.

Tobramycin contains tobramycin. It inhibits bacteria growth by interfering with protein synthesis. It binds to the proteins in the bacteria, disrupting the cell membrane, and eventually leading to cell death. It is active against various gram-negative bacteria and gram-positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus). It will not work for other types of infections such as viral, fungal, or parasitic infections.

It is available in the form of drops, ointment, injection, and inhalation. Tobramycin can cause some common side-effects (when eye drops are used) including redness, itching, swelling, burning sensation, tearing, and temporary blurred vision (with ointment use). Long term use of eye drops may cause a fungal eye infection. So, take this medicine for a duration prescribed by your doctor. When given as an injection, you may experience fever, rash, pain at the injection site, confusion, headache, and diarrhoea. Some patients may also experience serious side-effects such as hearing problems, muscle twitching, and convulsions that may require medical attention.

Inform your doctor if you are allergic to Tobramycin, other aminoglycoside antibiotics, or any other ingredients present in it. Inform your doctor if you are using other antibiotics, antifungal medication, antiviral drugs, diuretics, general anaesthetics, anti-cancer medicine, immune suppressant, and medications used to treat muscle weakness. Tell your doctor if you have myasthenia gravis (muscle disorders), Parkinson’s disease (a brain disorder), and kidney problems. Inform your doctor if you have any vision problems after using this medication. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Bacterial infections

Tobramycin belongs to a class of drugs called aminoglycoside antibiotics. It works by stopping the growth of bacteria. It reduces the infection by inhibiting bacterial growth. It irreversibly binds to a site on the bacterial ribosomes (ribosomes are responsible for protein synthesis), inhibiting protein formation. Proteins are essential for bacterial growth. So, if bacteria cannot make proteins, it will eventually die.

Eye drops: Wash your hands thoroughly with water before and after use. Tilt your head back and pull down the lower eyelid to create a small sac. Take the prescribed amount of dose with the dropper and squeeze out a drop. Close your eyes for about 2 to 3 minutes. Wipe any excess liquid with a tissue. Do not wipe or rinse the dropper tip after use. Place the dropper back on the bottle and tighten the cap. Ointment: Eye ointment is also used similarly. Create a pocket pulling the lower eyelid while tilting your head back. Then, squeeze out a prescribed amount of ointment and close your eyes. You may experience blurred vision for some time after opening the eyes. So, rest for a while before doing anything. Injections: Injections are given using a syringe. Do not self-administer. Injections are given only by a healthcare professional. The prescribed dose is taken and injected into a muscle or vein. Infusions are given in the form of a drip into the vein by a healthcare professional. Inhalation: Inhalations are used by inhaling the medicine with the use of a nebulizer or inhaler. Do not mix or dilute the medicine unless advised by your doctor. Do not swallow it by mouth. Note: In case of drops/ointment, do not touch the tip of the dropper or ointment tube as it may contaminate the contents. Do not place the tip directly into the eye while instilling drops or ointment. If the dropper touches the eye, immediately squeeze two to three drops onto the tissue and wipe the dropper’s tip with saltwater.

Tobramycin may show side-effects such as redness, itching, tearing, or swelling in the eye after the application of eye drops. These side-effects usually go away after a short time. With the injection, you may experience side-effects such as fever, rash, pain at the injection site, itching, fatigue, drowsiness, weakness, headache, confusion, and diarrhoea. Other side-effects of Tobramycin are hearing problems, dizziness, ringing in the ears, convulsions, and muscle twitching. These side-effects are serious, and you may require medical attention right away.