Toba Eye Drops (Tobramycin)

When antimicrobial treatment is used

Tobramycin is a fast-acting antibiotic widely used in modern clinical practice. In the UK, it is used in eye care as eye drops for external use only.

Tobramycin (3 mg/mL) is the water-soluble active ingredient. Tobramycin is a broad-spectrum antibiotic that works against many gram-negative and, less commonly, gram-positive pathogens.

These antibiotic drops are used to treat infections affecting the surface of the eye and other parts of the eye.

How it works

Toba drops create an effective concentration of the medicine at the site of inflammation on the surface of the eye. After use, the antibiotic has a targeted effect on harmful microorganisms.

Toba has a bactericidal effect. It binds to bacterial ribosomes and interferes with protein synthesis. When bacteria are exposed to the medicine, one of the following happens:

• Ribosomes produce defective bacterial proteins.
• Protein synthesis is inhibited.

Microorganisms exposed to the antibiotic die. Continued use of the drops helps eliminate bacteria that were not exposed to the medicine at first.

Dosage guide

When you hold the open bottle upside down above the eye, it delivers drops of a consistent size. There is no need to squeeze the sides of the bottle. To release one drop, simply tap or press the bottom of the bottle.

The dosage regimen for Toba eye drops in mild to moderate eye infections:

• Recommended dose range: 1-2 drops
• Dosing frequency: every 4 hours

Dosage regimen in severe eye infections:

• Optimal single dose: 2 drops
• Dosing frequency: every hour

If you need to use different types of eye product, leave at least 5-15 minutes between them.

The length of treatment depends on how the condition progresses. The doctor decides how long treatment should continue based on objective findings, including the possible risk of side effects, the severity of symptoms, and how well the medicine is working.

Use the full course of treatment prescribed by your doctor, even if your symptoms improve or go away. All the microorganisms causing the infection need to be eliminated.

Possible side effects of Toba

This medicine has a bactericidal effect, which has been confirmed by clinical studies. As well as its beneficial effects, Toba can cause unwanted effects, although not everyone gets them.

Possible side effects include:

• temporary blurred vision
• a feeling that something is in the eye
• increased tearing
• eye irritation
• swollen eyelids
• redness of the sclera (the white part of the eye)

Most side effects are mild, happen early in treatment, and settle with time.

Eye treatment can lead to hypersensitivity reactions in some people. Do not use Toba if you are allergic to:

• any medicine containing tobramycin;
• any of the inactive ingredients in Toba.

If signs of severe reactions or hypersensitivity occur during treatment, stop using the drops. If you notice a rash on your face or anywhere else on your body, contact your doctor for advice.

How to put the drops in

To get the best results, use the drops correctly. In the United Kingdom, an ophthalmologist or pharmacist can advise you for your specific situation. Read the patient leaflet before you start treatment.

In most cases, the correct technique is:

• Wash your hands with soap and water, then dry them with a clean towel.
• Warm the bottle in your hands if the solution is cold.
• If you wear contact lenses, remove them (wearing contact lenses is not recommended during bacterial eye infections).
• Unscrew the cap from the bottle.
• Lie down, sit in front of a mirror, or sit comfortably in a chair.
• Tilt your head back.
• Hold the bottle upside down about 2-3 cm above the eye, making sure it does not touch your eyelashes, eyelids, or the eye itself.
• Pull down the lower eyelid with one or two fingers.
• Tap or press the base of the bottle so the drop goes into the eye, closer to the outer corner.
• Close your eyes and wait a few minutes.
• Repeat for the other eye if advised.
• Close the bottle and follow the storage instructions.

Toba eye drops for babies

Data for the treatment of infants under 12 months of age are limited. Toba 0.3% eye drops can be used to treat children aged 1 year and over at the same dose used in adults.

Young children may be frightened by unfamiliar procedures. To reduce distress, stay calm, act quickly, and prepare in advance.

Additional recommendations:

• If stored in the fridge, warm the bottle in your palms or place it in warm, clean water before use.
• Children under 6-7 years of age should be laid on a flat surface.
• Make sure the child is calm. Avoid using the drops if the child is resisting or crying.
• When pulling down the lower eyelid, do not touch the surface of the eye.
• After putting in Toba, hold the eyelid for a few seconds to allow the liquid to spread.
• Some of the medicine may leak out; if the technique is correct, the right amount will still enter the eye.
• If the child closes the eye and the solution does not go in, repeat the procedure.
• Do not let the solution enter the nose.
• Wipe away any leaked medicine with a clean cotton pad.
• Keep the child lying down for a few minutes.
• Stop the child from rubbing their eyes straight after use.

Important information you should know

While using Toba, it is best to stop wearing contact lenses for a while. This is a general recommendation rather than a strict contraindication. Avoid wearing lenses during inflammatory eye conditions.

Toba contains substances that can be absorbed by soft contact lenses, which may cause deterioration and discolouration.

If you continue wearing lenses, remove them before using the drops and wait at least 15 minutes before putting them back in.

During use, maintain good hygiene and avoid contaminating the dropper tip. Never share eye drops with anyone else.

Cold eye drops can be uncomfortable, so warm the bottle in your hands before use.

Driving

This medicine usually has little or no effect on activities that require alertness. However, temporary blurred vision may occur after instillation. Wait until your vision is clear before driving, using tools, operating machinery, or doing anything hazardous.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

Although systemic absorption is negligible, Toba should only be used during pregnancy when clearly needed.

Using Toba while breastfeeding is not recommended.

Exposure to infants is not expected, but risks cannot be completely ruled out. Your doctor should decide whether breastfeeding should stop during treatment, taking into account the benefits for both mother and baby.

Storage

When you are not using the drops, keep the bottle tightly closed and store it as directed in the leaflet.

Sunlight and high temperatures can degrade the ingredients. A humid environment can encourage microbial growth on the bottle.

The recommended storage temperature is up to 25°C. This medicine can be stored in the fridge but should not be frozen.

Toba sterile solution should be clear or slightly yellowish. If the colour has changed, do not use it.