Tobramycin is an antibiotic. It is used on its own or together with other medicines to treat bacterial infections of the brain, spinal cord, stomach, intestines, bladder, kidney, lungs, bones, and skin.
Tobramycin injection is to be given directly into the vein (intravenously) using a syringe or by infusion (drip). It is delivered directly into the bloodstream via the blood vessel.
It can also be given intramuscularly (into the muscles).
Your doctor or nurse will administer the injection for you.
The dose of this medicine will be decided by your doctor. Your doctor will advise you on the treatment timeframe depending on the type or severity of your infection.
You must complete the entire course of this medicine. If you don't, the infection will not be properly controlled.
Ensure that you keep all the appointments with your doctor so that you do not miss any doses. Your doctor also needs to regularly monitor your response to Tobramycin.
If you miss an appointment or miss an injection, alert your doctor or nurse. A replacement appointment or injection should be given as soon as possible.
Do not use Tobramycin if you ever had an allergic reaction (e.g. rashes, breathlessness, swollen eyes) to this medicine and its ingredients, or any similar antibiotics such as amikacin, gentamicin, streptomycin.
Inform your doctor if you have the following conditions:
- personal or family history of hearing problems
- myasthenia gravis (muscle weakness disorder)
- Parkinson’s disease (disorder that affects movement causing symptoms such as tremors, muscle stiffness, slowed movement and impaired balance or walking)
- kidney disease
Let your doctor know if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Individuals who have a certain mitochondrial disease (mutation or change in a part of your cell which helps make energy) may experience an increased risk of hearing loss with Tobramycin. Although not routinely done, your doctor may advise you to take genetic testing to check if this medicine is best suited for you. If you know you have this disease, inform your doctor.
For as long as you are being treated with this medicine, routine blood tests may be done to monitor your condition and check your response to the medication regularly. It is also important to monitor any hearing problems that you may experience while you are being treated with this medicine.
Tobramycin may cause any of the following side effects: nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, headache, tiredness or weakness, confusion, disorientation, and pain or swelling at the injection site.
Some side effects may need immediate medical help. Alert your doctor quickly if you experience any of the following:
- rashes with peeling of the skin or blistering of the lips, mouth or eyes accompanied by fever
- rashes, breathlessness, swelling of the face, eyes or mouth
- ringing, buzzing or roaring noise in the ear, loss of hearing
- dizziness with sensations of spinning
- changes in your urine e.g. decrease in urination, unable to pass urine
- muscle twitching
Inform your doctor if any of these side effects do not go away or are severe, or if you experience other side effects.
Do not use Tobramycin with other similar medicine e.g. amikacin, gentamicin, streptomycin.
Inform your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any of these medicines:
- amphotericin B (medicine used to treat fungal infection)
- certain antibiotics e.g. cefalotin
- water pill e.g. ethacrynic acid, furosemide
- muscle relaxant used during surgery e.g. succinylcholine, tubocurarine
- cisplatin (medicine for cancer)
- ciclosporin (medicine used in organ transplant or certain immune disorders)
This list does not include all medicines that may interact with Tobramycin.
Always notify your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including herbal tonics such as traditional Chinese medicines, supplements and medicines that you buy without a prescription.
Avoid alcohol.
Store in a cool, dry place away from the reach of children. Protect from light.
Medicines must not be used past the expiry date.
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