Tobramycin (injection)

Tobramycin is an aminoglycoside (ah-meen-oh-GLY-ko-side) antibiotic. Tobramycin treats infections caused by bacteria.

Tobramycin injection is used to treat bacterial infections of the skin, heart, stomach, brain and spinal cord, lungs, and urinary tract (bladder and kidneys). It is also used to treat cystic fibrosis. Tobramycin injection is sometimes used with other antibiotics.

Tobramycin may also be used for reasons not mentioned in this medication guide.

Tobramycin can harm your nerves and may cause permanent hearing loss.

Contact your doctor immediately if you experience numbness, tingling, muscle twitching, dizziness, a spinning sensation, seizures (convulsions), hearing loss, or a ringing or roaring sound in your ears (even after you have stopped using tobramycin injection).

Tobramycin can also damage your kidneys, and this risk is higher if you are using certain other medications that can harm the kidneys. Inform your doctor about all other medications you are taking, particularly injected antibiotics.

You should not use this medication if you are allergic to tobramycin or similar antibiotics (amikacin, gentamicin, kanamycin, neomycin, paromomycin, streptomycin).

To make sure tobramycin injection is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:

• kidney disease;
• a muscle disorder such as myasthenia gravis;
• Parkinson's disease;
• asthma; or
• a metabolic disorder such as high or low levels of potassium, calcium, or magnesium in your blood.

FDA pregnancy category D. Do not use tobramycin if you are pregnant. It could harm the unborn baby. Use effective birth control, and tell your doctor if you become pregnant during treatment.

Tobramycin can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Serious side effects may be more likely in older adults.

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Tobramycin can harm nerves and may cause hearing loss that could be permanent. Tell your doctor right away if you experience:

• numbness, tingling, muscle stiffness, or uncontrolled twitching;
• dizziness, spinning sensation, or seizures (convulsions); or
• hearing loss, or a ringing or roaring sound in your ears (even after stopping tobramycin injection).

Tobramycin may cause serious side effects. Call your doctor immediately if you have:

• swelling, rapid weight gain, or little to no urinating;
• confusion, loss of appetite, vomiting, or pain in your side or lower back;
• fever; or
• a severe skin reaction -- fever, sore throat, swelling in your face or tongue, burning in your eyes, skin pain, followed by a red or purple skin rash that spreads (especially on the face or upper body) and causes blistering and peeling.

Common side effects of tobramycin may include:

• headache;
• lack of energy;
• mild rash or itching;
• nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea; or
• pain where the medicine was injected.

This is not a complete list of side effects, and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Follow all directions on your prescription label. Do not use tobramycin in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.

Tobramycin is injected into a muscle, or into a vein through an IV. You may be shown how to use injections at home. Do not self-inject this medicine if you do not understand how to give the injection and properly dispose of used needles, IV tubing, and other items used to inject the medicine.

Use a disposable needle only once, then throw away in a puncture-proof container (ask your pharmacist where you can get one and how to dispose of it). Keep this container out of the reach of children and pets.

Drink 6 to 8 full glasses of water each day while you are using tobramycin injection. You may become easily dehydrated while using this medication.

Use this medication for the full prescribed length of time. Your symptoms may improve before the infection is completely cleared. Skipping doses may also increase your risk of further infection that is resistant to antibiotics. Tobramycin will not treat a viral infection such as the common cold or flu.

Your doctor will need to check your hearing and kidney function while you are using tobramycin.

If you need surgery, tell the surgeon ahead of time that you are using tobramycin injection. You may need to stop using the medicine for a short time.

Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

Use the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next scheduled dose, skip the missed dose. Do not use extra medicine to make up for the missed dose.

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

This medication may affect your thinking or reactions. Be cautious if you drive or do anything that needs you to be alert.

Tell your doctor about all medicines you use, and those you start or stop using during your treatment with tobramycin, especially:

• diuretics--ethacrynic acid, furosemide.

Tobramycin can harm your kidneys. This risk is higher when you also use certain other medicines, especially:

• cisplatin;
• injected antibiotics--amikacin, colistimethate, kanamycin, gentamicin, polymyxin B, streptomycin, vancomycin; or
• certain antibiotics taken by mouth--neomycin, paromomycin.

This list is not complete. Other drugs may interact with tobramycin, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed in this medication guide.