AKTob

1 What is AKTob?

Brand: AKTob, Tobrasol, Tobrex

Generic: Ophthalmic tobramycin

AKTob is used to treat bacterial infections in the eye. Tobramycin works by killing bacteria.

This medication may be used alone or with other medications for eye infections. Either the solution or ointment form may be used alone during the day. Both forms may be used together, with the drops being used during the day and the ointment being used at night.

This medication is only available with your doctor’s prescription.

This medication is available in the following forms:

  • Ointment
  • Solution

2 What To Know Before Using

As with all medicines, the risks of using AKTob must be compared to how much this medication will help you. This is a decision that you and your doctor will make together.

For this medication, there are many things that need to be considered:

  • AllergiesInform your doctor if you have ever had an allergic reaction to Doxorubicin or to any other medications. It is also important to inform your doctor of any non-medicine allergies such as foods, dyes, preservatives or animals.
  • Pediatric: No appropriate studies have been performed on the relationship of age to the effects of this medication in children. Safety and efficacy have not been established.
  • Geriatric: No appropriate studies have been performed on the relationship of age to the effects of this medication in elderly patients. Safety and efficacy have not been established.
  • Pregnancy: This medication is listed as Pregnancy Category D. This means that studies in pregnant women have demonstrated a risk to the unborn child. However, the benefits of this medication in a life-threatening situation or serious disease may outweigh the potential risk.
  • Breastfeeding: There are no up-to-date studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication while breastfeeding. Weigh the potential risks with the benefits before taking this medication while breastfeeding.
  • Drug Interactions: Certain medications should not be used together. However, in certain cases, two medications may be used together, even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change your dose or take other precautions.

    When taking this medication, it is important that you inform your doctor if you are taking any of the medications listed below. The following interactions were selected on the basis of potential significance and are not all-inclusive.

    Using this medication with any of the following is not recommended.
    Your doctor may decide not to treat you with this medication, or change some of the other medications you take: 

    • Amifampridine.
      Using this medication with any of the following medication is not recommended, but may be unavoidable in some cases. 
      Your doctor may make the decision not to treat you with this medication or change some of the other medications you take:
    • Alcuronium
    • Atracurium
    • Cidofovir
    • Cisatracurium
    • Colistimethate Sodium
    • Decamethonium
    • Doxacurium
    • Ethacrynic Acid
    • Fazadinium
    • Foscarnet
    • Furosemide
    • Gallamine
    • Hexafluorenium
    • Lysine
    • Mannitol
    • Metocurine
    • Mivacurium
    • Pancuronium
    • Pipecuronium
    • Rapacuronium
    • Rocuronium
    • Succinylcholine
    • Tubocurarine
    • Vancomycin
    • Vecuronium

      Using this medication with any of the following medications may increase your risk of side effects. However, using both medications may be the best treatment for you. If both medications are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you take one or both medications:

    • Cisplatin
    • Cyclosporine
  • Other Interactions: Certain medications should not be used while eating, or while eating certain foods in case of negative interactions. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medications may also cause negative interactions. Talk with your doctor about the use of your medication with food, alcohol or tobacco.

3 Proper Usage

To use AKTob properly, you must follow all instructions given by your doctor.

For solution (eye drops):

  • Wash your hands.
  • Tilt your head back and press your lower finger gently just beneath the lower eyelid.
  • Pull the lower eyelid away from the eye to make a space. Drop the medication into this space.
  • Let go of the eyelid and close your eyes. Do not blink.
  • Keep the eyes closed and apply pressure to the inner corner of the eye for 1-2 minutes to allow your eye to absorb the medication.
  • Wash your hands immediately after use to remove any medication that may be on them.
  • Do not touch the applicator tip to any surface. Keep the container tightly closed. This will help prevent infection of the eye.

For ointment:

  • Wash your hands.
  • Tilt your head back and press your lower finger gently just beneath the lower eyelid.
  • Pull the lower eyelid away from the eye to make a space. Squeeze a thin strip of ointment into this space. A 1/3-in amount is enough, unless your doctor tells you to use a different amount.
  • Let go of the eyelid and close your eyes. Do not blink.
  • Keep the eyes closed and apply pressure to the inner corner of the eye for 1-2 minutes to allow your eye to absorb the medication.
  • To keep the medication as germ-free as possible, do not touch the applicator tip to any surface. Keep the container tightly shut.

In order to help clear up the infection completely, you need to use this medication for the full term of treatment, even if your symptoms disappear. Do not miss any doses.

Dosing

Different patients will be given a different dose of this medication based on the strength of the medication. The number of doses you take each day, the time between doses and the length of time you take this medication depends on the reason you are taking this medication.

The following information only includes the average dose of this medication. If your dose is different, do not change it without first speaking to your doctor.

Ointment:

  • For mild to moderate infections:
    • Adults and children: Use every 8-12 hours
  • For severe infections:
    • Adults and children: Use every 3-4 hours until improvement occurs

Solution:

  • For mild to moderate infections:
    • Adults and children - 1 drop every 4 hours
  • For severe infections:
    • Adults and children - 1 every hour until improvement occurs
Missed Dose

If you miss a dose of this medication, take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your normal dosing schedule. Do not double dose.

Storage

Store this medication in a closed container at room temperature. Keep it away form heat, moisture and direct light. Do not freeze. Keep out of the reach of children.

Do not keep expired medication or medication you no longer need. Ask your doctor how to dispose of any medication you do not use.

4 Precautions To Take

In using AKTob, you must be careful and take some precautions as advised by your doctor.

If your eye infection does not improve within a few days, or if it becomes worse, inform your doctor.

5 Potential Side Effects

Some side effects that may occur when using AKTob do not normally need medical attention. These may leave as your body becomes accustomed to treatment. Ask your doctor about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.

Ask your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

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