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Tobrex Ophthalmic Ointment Prescribing Information

Package insert / product label
Generic name: tobramycin
Dosage form: ophthalmic ointment
Drug class: Ophthalmic anti-infectives

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Apr 23, 2023.

Tobrex Ophthalmic Ointment Description

TOBREX® (tobramycin ophthalmic ointment) 0.3% is a sterile topical ophthalmic antibiotic formulation prepared specifically for topical therapy of external ophthalmic infections.

Each gram of TOBREX (tobramycin ophthalmic ointment) 0.3% contains: Active: tobramycin 0.3% (3 mg). Preservative: chlorobutanol 0.5%. Inactives: mineral oil, white petrolatum.

Tobramycin is a water-soluble aminoglycoside antibiotic active against a wide variety of gram-negative and gram-positive ophthalmic pathogens.

The chemical structure of tobramycin is:

Molecular Formula:

C18H37N5O9

Molecular Weight: 467.52 g/mol

chemical structure of tobramycin

Chemical Name:

0-{3-amino-3-deoxy-α-D-gluco-pyranosyl-(1→4) }-0-{2,6-diamino-2,3,6-trideoxy-α-D-ribohexo-pyranosyl-(1→6) }-2-deoxystreptamine.

Tobrex Ophthalmic Ointment - Clinical Pharmacology

In Vitro Data: In vitro studies have demonstrated tobramycin is active against susceptible strains of the following microorganisms: Staphylococci, including S. aureus and S. epidermidis (coagulase-positive and coagulase-negative), including penicillin-resistant strains.

Streptococci, including some of the Group A-beta-hemolytic species, some nonhemolytic species, and some Streptococcus pneumoniae.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Enterobacter aerogenes, Proteus mirabilis, Morganella morganii, most Proteus vulgaris strains, Haemophilus influenzae and H. aegyptius, Moraxella lacunata, Acinetobacter calcoaceticus and some Neisseria species. Bacterial susceptibility studies demonstrate that in some cases, microorganisms resistant to gentamicin retain susceptibility to tobramycin.

Indications and Usage for Tobrex Ophthalmic Ointment

TOBREX® (tobramycin ophthalmic ointment) 0.3 % is a topical antibiotic indicated in the treatment of external infections of the eye and its adnexa caused by susceptible bacteria. Appropriate monitoring of bacterial response to topical antibiotic therapy should accompany the use of TOBREX (tobramycin ophthalmic ointment) 0.3%. Clinical studies have shown tobramycin to be safe and effective for use in children.

Contraindications

TOBREX (tobramycin ophthalmic ointment) 0.3 % is contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity to any of its components.

Warnings

NOT FOR INJECTION INTO THE EYE. Sensitivity to topically applied aminoglycosides may occur in some patients. Severity of hypersensitivity reactions may vary from local effects to generalized reactions such as erythema, itching, urticaria, skin rash, anaphylaxis, anaphylactoid reactions, or bullous reactions. If a sensitivity reaction to TOBREX (tobramycin ophthalmic ointment) 0.3% occurs, discontinue use.

PRECAUTIONS

General: As with other antibiotic preparations, prolonged use may result in overgrowth of nonsusceptible organisms, including fungi. If superinfection occurs, appropriate therapy should be initiated. Ophthalmic ointments may retard corneal wound healing.

Cross-sensitivity to other aminoglycoside antibiotics may occur; if hypersensitivity develops with this product, discontinue use and institute appropriate therapy.

Patients should be advised not to wear contact lenses if they have signs and symptoms of ocular infections.

Information for Patients: Do not touch tube tip to any surface, as this may contaminate the ointment.

Do not use the product if the imprinted carton seals have been damaged, or removed.

Pregnancy: Reproduction studies in three types of animals at doses up to thirty-three times the normal human systemic dose have revealed no evidence of impaired fertility or harm to the fetus due to tobramycin. There are, however, no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women. Because animal studies are not always predictive of human response, this drug should be used during pregnancy only if clearly needed.

Nursing Mothers: Because of the potential for adverse reactions in nursing infants from TOBREX® (tobramycin ophthalmic ointment) 0.3%, a decision should be made whether to discontinue nursing the infant or discontinue the drug, taking into account the importance of the drug to the mother.

Pediatric Use: Safety and effectiveness in pediatric patients below the age of 2 months has not been established.

Geriatric Use: No overall clinical differences in safety or effectiveness have been observed between the elderly and other adult patients.

Adverse Reactions/Side Effects

ADVERSE REACTIONS: The most frequent adverse reactions to TOBREX (tobramycin ophthalmic ointment) 0.3% are hypersensitivity and localized ocular toxicity, including lid itching and swelling, and conjunctival erythema. These reactions occur in less than three of 100 patients treated with TOBREX® (tobramycin ophthalmic ointment) 0.3%.

Postmarketing Experience: Additional adverse reactions identified from postmarketing use include anaphylactic reaction, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, and erythema multiforme.

The following additional adverse reactions have been reported with systemic aminoglycosides:

Neurotoxicity, ototoxicity and nephrotoxicity have occurred in patients receiving systemic aminoglycoside therapy. Aminoglycosides may aggravate muscle weakness in patients with known or suspected neuromuscular disorders, such as myasthenia gravis or Parkinson’s disease, because of their potential effect on neuromuscular function.

Tobrex Ophthalmic Ointment Dosage and Administration

In mild to moderate disease, apply a half-inch ribbon into the affected eye(s) 2 or 3 times per day. In severe infections, instill a half-inch ribbon into the affected eye(s) every 3 to 4 hours until improvement, following which treatment should be reduced prior to discontinuation.

How to Apply TOBREX (tobramycin ophthalmic ointment) 0.3%:

1. Tilt your head back.

2. Place a finger on your cheek just under your eye and gently pull down until a ''V'' pocket is formed between your eyeball and your lower lid.

3. Place a small amount (about ½ inch) of TOBREX® (tobramycin ophthalmic ointment) 0.3% in the ''V'' pocket. Do not let the tip of the tube touch your eye.

4. Look downward before closing your eye.

How is Tobrex Ophthalmic Ointment supplied

TOBREX (tobramycin ophthalmic ointment) 0.3% is supplied as a 3.5 g sterile ointment in an aluminum tube with a white polyethylene tip and white polyethylene cap as follows:

3.5 g containing tobramycin 0.3% (3 mg/g)..... NDC 0078-0813-01

Storage: Store at 2°C to 25°C (36°F to 77°F).

After opening, TOBREX (tobramycin ophthalmic ointment) 0.3% can be used until the expiration date on the tube.

Distributed by:
Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation
East Hanover, New Jersey 07936

© Novartis

Revised: June 2021

T2021-76

PRINCIPAL DISPLAY PANEL

NDC 0078-0813-01

Tobrex®

(tobramycin ophthalmic
ointment) 0.3%

Sterile 3.5 g Net Wt.

NOVARTIS

PRINCIPAL DISPLAY PANEL
								NDC 0078-0813-01
								Tobrex®
								(tobramycin ophthalmic ointment) 0.3%
								Sterile 3.5 g Net Wt.
								NOVARTIS
TOBREX
tobramycin ointment
Product Information
Product TypeHUMAN PRESCRIPTION DRUGItem Code (Source)NDC:0078-0813
Route of AdministrationOPHTHALMIC
Active Ingredient/Active Moiety
Ingredient NameBasis of StrengthStrength
TOBRAMYCIN (UNII: VZ8RRZ51VK) (TOBRAMYCIN - UNII:VZ8RRZ51VK) TOBRAMYCIN3 mg in 1 g
Inactive Ingredients
Ingredient NameStrength
CHLOROBUTANOL (UNII: HM4YQM8WRC)
MINERAL OIL (UNII: T5L8T28FGP)
PETROLATUM (UNII: 4T6H12BN9U)
Packaging
#Item CodePackage DescriptionMarketing Start DateMarketing End Date
1NDC:0078-0813-013.5 g in 1 TUBE; Type 0: Not a Combination Product03/08/2022
Marketing Information
Marketing CategoryApplication Number or Monograph CitationMarketing Start DateMarketing End Date
NDANDA05055506/28/1981
Labeler - Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation (002147023)