Tobrex (Tobramycin)

Tobravisc 3.0 mg/ml Eye Drops Solution (Tobramycin)

What Is Tobravisc?

Tobravisc belongs to a group of medicines known as aminoglycoside antibiotics. It is used to treat bacterial infections of the surface of the eye and eyelids, such as conjunctivitis and blepharitis.

Before You Use Tobravisc

Do Not Use Tobravisc:

• If you are allergic to tobramycin, any other type of aminoglycoside antibiotic, or any of the other ingredients listed in section 6;
• for children under one year.

Ask your doctor for advice.

Take Special Care

• If you suffer from liver or kidney disease. Tell your doctor if you take other antibiotic medicines orally or by injection;
• As with any antibiotic, using Tobravisc for a long time may lead to other infections. If your symptoms get worse or suddenly return, tell your doctor.

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

If you are pregnant or might get pregnant, or if you are breastfeeding a baby, talk to your doctor before you use Tobravisc.

Driving and Using Machines

You may find your vision blurred for some time after using Tobravisc. Only drive or use machines if your vision is clear.

Using Other Medicines

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking or have recently taken any other medicines, including medicines obtained without a prescription.

If you are using other eye drops, wait at least 5-10 minutes after putting in Tobravisc before using the other drops.

Important Information for Those Who Wear Contact Lenses

Wearing contact lenses is not advisable to treat an eye infection, as they may worsen your condition.

Do not use the drops while wearing contact lenses. Wait at least 15 minutes after using the eye drops before putting your lenses back in. A preservative in TOBRAVISC (benzododecinium bromide) can affect soft contact lenses.

How To Take Tobravisc

The usual dose in adults and children one year and older is one drop in your eye(s) twice daily, morning and evening, for seven days.

In severe infections, this may increase to 1 drop four times a day for the first day, followed by one drop twice daily for six days.

Do not stop using Tobravisc before your doctor advises, even if your symptoms improve.

Remove the loose collar from the cap when the bottle is first opened.

Always use Tobravisc precisely as your doctor has told you. You should check with your doctor or pharmacist if you need more information.

How to Administer Tobravisc

• Wash your hands before you start.
• Twist off the bottle cap.
• Hold the bottle pointing down, between your thumb and fingers.
• Tilt your head back.
• Pull down your lower eyelid with a finger until there is a ‘pocket’ between the eyelid and your eye. The drop will go in here.
• Bring the bottle tip close to the eye. Do this in front of a mirror if it helps.
• Do not touch your eye, eyelid, surrounding areas, or other surfaces with the dropper. It could infect the drops.
• Gently press on the base of the bottle to release one drop at a time.
• Don’t squeeze the bottle; only a gentle press on the bottom is needed.
• Repeat the steps for your other eye if you use drops in both eyes. Put the bottle cap firmly back on immediately after use.
• If a drop misses your eye, try again.
• If you forget to use Tobravisc, do not worry; use it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and return to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up.
• If you use more Tobravisc than you should, it can be rinsed with warm water.

Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any further questions about using Tobravisc.

Possible Side Effects

Like all medicines, although not everybody gets them, Tobravisc can cause side effects.

You may experience some or all of the following effects in your eye(s):

• Common (affect 1 to 10 people in 100): Itching, swelling, redness, watery eye(s).
• Uncommon (affects 1 to 10 people in 1000): Discomfort, discharge, swelling of the surface of the eye and eyelid, and redness of the eyelid.

Additional side effects that have been reported include:

• Effects in the eye: Irritation, surface inflammation, pain, abnormal sensation, blurred vision.
• General effects: Rash, abnormal skin sensation, or skin redness.

If any of the side effects get serious, or you notice any side effects not listed in this leaflet, tell your doctor or pharmacist.

How to Store Tobravisc

• Keep out of the reach and sight of children.
• Keep the bottle tightly closed.
• Do not use the drops after the expiry date (marked ‘Exp’) on the bottle and the carton. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month.
• Stop using the bottle four weeks after first opening to prevent infections.
• Medicines should not be disposed of via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medicines that are no longer required. These measures will help to protect the environment.
• Do not pass this medicine on to others.

It may harm them, even if their symptoms are the same as yours.

Further Information

Ingredients

• The active substance is tobramycin 3 mg/ml.
• The other ingredients are xanthan gum, benzododecinium bromide, mannitol, trometamol, boric acid, polysorbate 80, sulphuric acid and/or sodium hydroxide (to adjust pH) and purified water.

What Tobravisc Looks Like and Contents of the Pack

Tobravisc is a clear solution supplied in a pack containing a 5 ml plastic bottle with a screw lid.

Antibiotics

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Eye care

Ansaid

Jennifer Bowles

Jennifer is a clinical pharmacologist. She helps doctors of all medical specialties choose medications. Jennifer consults about drug dosage, interactions, and side effects.