Tobramycin injection

What is this medication?

TOBRAMYCIN (toe bra MYE sin) is an aminoglycoside antibiotic. It is used to treat certain kinds of bacterial infections. It will not work for colds, flu, or other viral infections.

This medicine may be used for other purposes; ask your health care provider or pharmacist if you have questions.

COMMON BRAND NAME(S): Nebcin

What should I tell my care team before I take this medication?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

• diabetes
• kidney disease
• myasthenia gravis
• Parkinson's disease
• an unusual or allergic reaction to tobramycin, other aminoglycosides or medicines, sulfites, foods, dyes or preservatives
• pregnant or trying to get pregnant
• breast-feeding

How should I use this medication?

This medicine is for infusion into a vein or injection into a muscle. It is usually given by a healthcare professional in a hospital or clinic setting.

In rare cases, you might get this medicine at home. You will be taught how to prepare and give this medicine. Use exactly as directed. Take your medicine at regular intervals. Do not take your medicine more often than directed.

It is important that you put your used needles and syringes in a special sharps container. Do not put them in a trash can. If you do not have a sharps container, call your pharmacist or health care provider to get one.

Talk to your pediatrician regarding the use of this medicine in children. While this drug may be prescribed for children as young as newborns for selected conditions, precautions do apply.

Overdosage: If you think you have taken too much of this medicine contact a poison control center or emergency room at once.

NOTE: This medicine is only for you. Do not share this medicine with others.

What if I miss a dose?

It is important not to miss your dose. Call your doctor or health care professional if you are unable to keep an appointment. If you give yourself this medicine at home and you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, take only that dose. Do not take double or extra doses.

What may interact with this medication?

Do not take this medicine with any of the following medications:

• cidofovir

This medicine may also interact with the following medications:

• birth control pills
• aspirin and aspirin-like medicines
• cisplatin
• cyclosporine
• diuretics
• medicines for infection like acyclovir, adefovir, amphotericin B, bacitracin, foscarnet, ganciclovir, gentamicin, pentamidine, vancomycin
• medicines that relax muscles for surgery
• NSAIDs, medicines for pain and inflammation, like ibuprofen or naproxen
• pamidronate
• zoledronic acid

This list may not describe all possible interactions. Give your health care provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some items may interact with your medicine.

What should I watch for while using this medication?

Your condition will be monitored carefully while you are receiving this medicine.

Tell your healthcare professional if your symptoms do not start to get better or if they get worse.

Do not treat diarrhea with over the counter products. Contact your healthcare professional if you have diarrhea that lasts more than 2 days or if it is severe and watery.

Check with your health care professional if you have severe diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting, or if you sweat a lot. The loss of too much body fluid may make it dangerous for you to take this medicine.

You may need blood work done while you are taking this medicine.

This medicine may cause serious skin reactions. They can happen weeks to months after starting the medicine. Contact your health care provider right away if you notice fevers or flu-like symptoms with a rash. The rash may be red or purple and then turn into blisters or peeling of the skin. Or, you might notice a red rash with swelling of the face, lips or lymph nodes in your neck or under your arms.

What side effects may I notice from receiving this medication?

Side effects that you should report to your doctor or health care professional as soon as possible:

• allergic reactions like skin rash, itching or hives, swelling of the face, lips, or tongue
• bloody or watery diarrhea
• breathing problems
• decreased hearing or ringing of the ears
• dizziness
• feeling faint or lightheaded, falls
• fever
• loss of balance or coordination
• pain, tingling, numbness in the hands or feet
• rash, fever, and swollen lymph nodes
• redness, blistering, peeling or loosening of the skin, including inside the mouth
• seizures
• signs and symptoms of kidney injury like trouble passing urine or change in the amount of urine

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your doctor or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):

• diarrhea
• headache
• nausea, vomiting
• pain, redness, or irritation at site where injected

This list may not describe all possible side effects. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Where should I keep my medication?

Keep out of the reach of children.

If you are using this medicine at home, you will be instructed on how to store it. Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date on the label.

NOTE: This sheet is a summary. It may not cover all possible information. If you have questions about this medicine, talk to your doctor, pharmacist, or health care provider.