Tobramycin / Dexamethasone

FDA Drug Information • Also known as: Tobradex St

Brand Names
Tobradex St
Drug Class
Corticosteroid [EPC], Aminoglycoside Antibacterial [EPC]
Route
OPHTHALMIC
Dosage Form
SUSPENSION/ DROPS
Product Type
HUMAN PRESCRIPTION DRUG

Description

11 DESCRIPTION TOBRADEX ST (tobramycin and dexamethasone ophthalmic suspension) 0.3%/0.05% is a sterile, isotonic, white, aqueous antibiotic and steroid suspension with a pH of approximately 5.7 and an osmolality of approximately 290 mOsm/kg. The chemical name of tobramycin is O-3-amino-3-deoxy-α-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→4)-O-[2,6-diamino- 2,3,6-trideoxy-α-D-ribo-hexopyranosyl-(1→6)]-2-deoxy- L-streptamine. It has a molecular formula of C 18 H 37 N 5 O 9 and a molecular weight of 467.52 g/mol. The chemical structure is: The chemical name of dexamethasone is 9-fluoro-11β,17,21-trihydroxy-16α-methylpregna-1,4-diene-3,20-dione. It has a molecular formula of C 22 H 29 FO 5 and a molecular weight of 392.47 g/mol. The chemical structure is: Each mL of TOBRADEX ST contains: Actives: tobramycin 3 mg and dexamethasone 0.5 mg. Preservative: benzalkonium chloride 0.1 mg. Inactives: edetate disodium, hydrochloric acid and/or sodium hydroxide (to adjust pH), propylene glycol, purified water, sodium chloride, sodium sulfate, tyloxapol, and xanthan gum. Chemical Structure Chemical Structure

What Is Tobramycin / Dexamethasone Used For?

1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE TOBRADEX ST ophthalmic suspension is indicated for steroid-responsive inflammatory ocular conditions for which a corticosteroid is indicated and where superficial bacterial ocular infection or a risk of bacterial ocular infection exists. Ocular steroids are indicated in inflammatory conditions of the palpebral and bulbar conjunctiva, cornea and anterior segment of the globe where the inherent risk of steroid use in certain infective conjunctivitides is accepted to obtain a diminution in edema and inflammation. They are also indicated in chronic anterior uveitis and corneal injury from chemical, radiation or thermal burns, or penetration of foreign bodies. The use of a combination drug with an anti-infective component is indicated where the risk of superficial ocular infection is high or where there is an expectation that potentially dangerous numbers of bacteria will be present in the eye. The particular anti-infective drug in this product is active against the following common bacterial eye pathogens: Staphylococci , including S. aureus and S. epidermidi s (coagulase-positive and coagulase-negative), including penicillin-resistant isolates. Streptococci , including some Group A and other 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 isolates, Haemophilus influenzae, H. aegyptius, Moraxella lacunata, Acinetobacter calcoaceticus , and some Neisseria species . TOBRADEX ST is a topical antibiotic and corticosteroid combination for steroid-responsive inflammatory ocular conditions for which a corticosteroid is indicated and where superficial bacterial ocular infection or a risk of bacterial ocular infection exists. ( 1 ).

Dosage and Administration

2 DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION Instill one drop into the conjunctival sac(s) every 4 to 6 hours. ( 2.1 ) During the initial 24 to 48 hours, dosage may be increased to one drop every 2 hours. ( 2.1 ) Frequency should be decreased gradually as warranted by improvement in clinical signs, but care should be taken not to discontinue therapy prematurely. ( 2.1 ) 2.1 Initiation and Continuation of Treatment Evaluate intraocular pressure (IOP) prior to the initial prescription and renewal of the medication order [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ] . Perform ophthalmic examination with the aid of magnification, such as slit lamp biomicroscopy, and, where appropriate, fluorescein staining, prior to the initial prescription and renewal of the medication order. Re-evaluate the patient if signs and symptoms fail to improve after 2 days [see Warnings and Precautions (5.4 , 5.5) ] . Not more than one bottle should be prescribed initially, and the prescription should not be refilled without further evaluation. 2.2 Recommended Dosage Instill one drop into the conjunctival sac(s) every 4 to 6 hours. During the initial 24 to 48 hours, the dosage may be increased to one drop every 2 hours. Frequency should be decreased gradually as warranted by improvement in clinical signs. Care should be taken not to discontinue therapy prematurely. Shake well before use.

Side Effects (Adverse Reactions)

6 ADVERSE REACTIONS Most common adverse reactions to topical ocular tobramycin are hypersensitivity and localized ocular toxicity, including eye pain, eyelids pruritus, eyelid edema, and conjunctival hyperemia. The reactions due to the steroid component are increases in IOP with possible development of glaucoma. ( 6 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Eyevance Pharmaceuticals, LLC at 1- 844-390-0720 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch. 6.1 Clinical Trials Experience Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice. Adverse reactions have occurred with steroid/anti-infective combination drugs, which can be attributed to the steroid component, the anti-infective component, or the combination. Exact incidence figures are not available. The most frequent adverse reactions to topical ocular tobramycin (TOBREX ® ) are hypersensitivity and localized ocular toxicity, including eye pain, eyelids pruritus, eyelid edema, and conjunctival hyperemia. These reactions occur in less than 4% of patients. The reactions due to the steroid component are: increased IOP with possible development of glaucoma, and infrequent optic nerve disorder; subcapsular cataract; and impaired healing [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1 , 5.3 , 5.4) ] . The development of secondary infection has occurred after use of combinations containing steroids and antimicrobials. Fungal infections of the cornea are particularly prone to develop coincidentally with long-term applications of steroids [see Warnings and Precautions (5.7) ] . The possibility of fungal invasion must be considered in any persistent corneal ulceration where steroid treatment has been used. Secondary bacterial ocular infection following suppression of host responses also occurs. Non-ocular adverse events occurring at an incidence of 0.5% to 1% included headache and increased blood pressure. The following additional adverse reactions have been reported with the individual components below: 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. Dexamethasone: Cushing's syndrome and adrenal suppression may occur after use of dexamethasone in excess of the listed dosing instructions in predisposed patients, including children and patients treated with CYP3A4 inhibitors. 6.2 Postmarketing Experience The following adverse reactions have been identified during postapproval use of TOBRADEX ST. Because these reactions are reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size, it is not always possible to reliably estimate their frequency or establish a causal relationship to drug exposure. Additional adverse reactions identified from postapproval use include, anaphylactic reaction, and erythema multiforme.

Contraindications

4 CONTRAINDICATIONS TOBRADEX ST, as with other ophthalmic corticosteroids, is contraindicated in most viral diseases of the cornea and conjunctiva, including epithelial herpes simplex keratitis (dendritic keratitis), vaccinia, and varicella, and also in mycobacterial infection of the eye and fungal diseases of ocular structures. ( 4.1 ) Hypersensitivity to any component of the medication ( 4.2 ) 4.1 Nonbacterial Etiology TOBRADEX ST, as with other ophthalmic corticosteroids, is contraindicated in most viral diseases of the cornea and conjunctiva, including epithelial herpes simplex keratitis (dendritic keratitis), vaccinia, and varicella, and also in mycobacterial infection of the eye and fungal diseases of ocular structures. 4.2 Hypersensitivity Hypersensitivity to a component of the medication.

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

8.1 Pregnancy Corticosteroids have been shown to be teratogenic in animal studies. Ocular administration of 0.1% dexamethasone resulted in 15.6% and 32.3% incidence of fetal anomalies in 2 groups of pregnant rabbits. Fetal growth retardation and increased mortality rates have been observed in rats with chronic dexamethasone therapy. Reproduction studies have been performed in rats and rabbits with tobramycin at doses up to 100 mg/kg/day (equivalent to human doses of 16 and 32 mg/kg/day, respectively) and have revealed no evidence of impaired fertility or harm to the fetus. There are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women. However, prolonged or repeated corticoid use during pregnancy has been associated with an increased risk of intra-uterine growth retardation. Infants born of mothers who have received substantial doses of corticosteroids during pregnancy should be observed carefully for signs of hypoadrenalism. TOBRADEX ST ophthalmic suspension should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus [see Nonclinical Toxicology (13.1) ] .

8.3 Nursing Mothers Systemically administered corticosteroids appear in human milk and could suppress growth, interfere with endogenous corticosteroid production, or cause other untoward effects. It is not known whether topical administration of corticosteroids could result in sufficient systemic absorption to produce detectable quantities in human milk. Because many drugs are excreted in human milk, caution should be exercised when TOBRADEX ST is administered to a nursing woman.

How Supplied

16 HOW SUPPLIED/STORAGE AND HANDLING TOBRADEX ST is supplied as a 2.5 mL or 5 mL suspension in a 4 mL or 8 mL natural polyethylene DROP-TAINER ® bottle with a natural polyethylene dispenser tip and a pink polypropylene overcap. Tamper evidence is provided with a shrink band around the closure and neck area of the bottle. 2.5 mL NDC 71776-035-03 5 mL NDC 71776-035-05 Storage Store at 2°C to 25°C (36°F to 77°F). Protect from light. After opening, TOBRADEX ST can be used until the expiration date on the bottle.

About This Information

This drug information is sourced from FDA-approved labeling via the openFDA database. It is intended for educational and reference purposes only. This is not medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider before making decisions about medication. Drug information may be updated by the FDA; check with your pharmacist for the most current information.

What are side effects?

Side effects are unwanted reactions that can occur when taking a medication. They range from mild (headache, nausea) to severe (allergic reactions, organ damage). Not everyone experiences side effects, and severity varies. Report any concerning side effects to your doctor.

What are drug interactions?

Drug interactions occur when a medication is affected by another drug, food, or supplement. Interactions can make medications less effective or cause dangerous side effects. Always tell your doctor about all medications and supplements you take.