loteprednol and tobramycin Ophthalmic

loe-te-PRED-nol et-a-BOE-nate, toe-bra-MYE-sin

Commonly used brand name(s)

In the U.S.

• Zylet

Available Dosage Forms:

• Suspension

Therapeutic Class: Aminoglycoside/Corticosteroid Combination

Pharmacologic Class: Loteprednol

Chemical Class: Aminoglycoside

Uses For loteprednol and tobramycin

Loteprednol and tobramycin ophthalmic (eye) solution or drops is used to treat inflammation or swelling in the eye that is caused by a bacterial infection.

Loteprednol and tobramycin solution is a combination of a steroid (loteprednol) and an antibiotic (tobramycin). Loteprednol reduces swelling and inflammation. Tobramycin works by killing the bacteria or preventing it from growing.

loteprednol and tobramycin is available only with your doctor's prescription.

Before Using loteprednol and tobramycin

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For loteprednol and tobramycin, the following should be considered:

Allergies

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to loteprednol and tobramycin or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Pediatric

Appropriate studies have not been performed on the relationship of age to the effects of loteprednol and tobramycin eye drops in the pediatric population. Safety and efficacy have not been established.

Geriatric

Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated geriatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of loteprednol and tobramycin eye drops in the elderly.

Pregnancy

	Pregnancy Category	Explanation
All Trimesters	C	Animal studies have shown an adverse effect and there are no adequate studies in pregnant women OR no animal studies have been conducted and there are no adequate studies in pregnant women.

Breast Feeding

There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.

Interactions with Medicines

Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. Tell your healthcare professional if you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine.

Interactions with Food/Tobacco/Alcohol

Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

Other Medical Problems

The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of loteprednol and tobramycin. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

• Cataract surgery, recent or


• Cornea (part of the eye) problems, history of or


• Sclera (part of the eye) problems, history of—May cause side effects to become worse.

• Fungal (caused by a fungus) eye infection or


• Herpes simplex eye infection or


• Smallpox eye infection or


• Tuberculosis eye infection or


• Varicella (chickenpox) eye infection or


• Viral (caused by a virus) eye infection—Should not be used in patients with these conditions.

• Glaucoma, history of—Use with caution. May make this condition worse.

Proper Use of loteprednol and tobramycin

Your eye doctor will tell you how much of loteprednol and tobramycin to use and how often. Do not use more medicine or use it more often than your doctor tells you to. loteprednol and tobramycin is not for long-term use.

To help clear up your eye infection completely, keep using loteprednol and tobramycin for the full time of treatment, even if your eye feels better.

If you normally wear soft contact lenses, remove them while you are using loteprednol and tobramycin. Talk to your eye doctor about this if you have questions.

To use the eye drops:

• Wash your hands with soap and water.


• Shake the bottle well before taking the top off and before each dose.


• For the first dose, make sure the imprinted neckband is on the bottle and holding the top in place.


• Tilt your head back and, pressing your finger gently on the skin just beneath the lower eyelid, pull the eyelid away from the eye to make a space. Drop the medicine into this space.


• Let go of the eyelid and gently close the eye. Do not blink. Keep the eye closed for 1 or 2 minutes to allow the medicine to cover the eye.


• If you think you did not get the drop of medicine into your eye properly, repeat the process with another drop.


• Wash your hands after using the eye drops to remove any medicine.


• Never touch the applicator tip to any surface, including the eye, and keep the container tightly closed. This will keep the medicine as germ-free as possible.

Dosing

The dose of loteprednol and tobramycin will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of loteprednol and tobramycin. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.

• For ophthalmic dosage form (eye drops):
  
  • For eye infections:
    
    • Adults—Use one or two drops in the affected eye every 4 to 6 hours. Your doctor may tell you to use the drops more often during the first two days for serious infections.
    
    
    • Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
    
    
  
  

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose of loteprednol and tobramycin, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

Storage

Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing.

Keep out of the reach of children.

Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.

Ask your healthcare professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use.

Precautions While Using loteprednol and tobramycin

If you will be using loteprednol and tobramycin for more than a few weeks, your eye doctor will check your eyes at regular visits to make sure it is working properly and is not causing unwanted effects.

If your symptoms do not improve within a few days or if they become worse, check with your eye doctor.

loteprednol and tobramycin Side Effects

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

More common

• Blurred vision


• change in vision


• feeling like something is in the eye


• increased intraocular pressure


• loss of vision


• pain or irritation of the clear front part of the eye


• sensitivity of the eyes to light

Less common

• Blurred vision or seeing blue-green halos around objects


• decreased vision


• difficulty seeing at night


• discharge from the eye


• dry eyes


• eyelid burning, redness, itching, pain, or tenderness


• fast heartbeat


• fever


• hives


• hoarseness


• irritation and swelling of the eye


• itching


• joint pain


• lid itching and swelling


• pain in the eye


• rash


• redness of the eyelid


• redness of the skin


• shortness of breath


• stiffness or swelling


• swelling of the eyelids, face, lips, hands, or feet


• tightness in the chest


• troubled breathing or swallowing


• wheezing

Incidence not known

• Redness of the eye


• tearing

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common

• Burning of the eye


• headache


• increased sensitivity of the eyes to light


• stinging of the eye

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

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

See also: loteprednol and tobramycin Ophthalmic side effects (in more detail)

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More loteprednol and tobramycin Ophthalmic resources

• Loteprednol and tobramycin Ophthalmic Side Effects (in more detail)
• Loteprednol and tobramycin Ophthalmic Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
• Loteprednol and tobramycin Ophthalmic Drug Interactions
• Loteprednol and tobramycin Ophthalmic Support Group
• 4 Reviews for Loteprednol and tobramycin Ophthalmic - Add your own review/rating

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