Nebcin

Generic Name: tobramycin
Other Brand Names: Nebcin Pediatric

What is tobramycin (injection)?

Tobramycin is in a group of antibiotics called aminoglycosides (ah-meen-oh-GLY-ko-sides). Tobramycin fights infections that are caused by bacteria.

Tobramycin injection is used to treat bacterial infections of the skin, heart, stomach, brain and spinal cord, respiratory system, and urinary tract. It is also used in the treatment of cystic fibrosis. Tobramycin injection is sometimes used together with other antibiotics.

Tobramycin may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

Uses Side Effects Precautions Interactions Overdose
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking tobramycin (injection)?

Do not use this medication if you are allergic to tobramycin or other aminoglycosides such as amikacin (Amikin), gentamicin (Garamycin), kanamycin (Kantrex), neomycin (Mycifradin, Neo-Fradin, Neo-Tab), netilmicin (Netromycin), or streptomycin.

Before using this medication, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or 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.

If you have any of these conditions, you may not be able to use tobramycin injection, or you may need a dosage adjustment or special tests during treatment.

FDA pregnancy category D. This medication can cause harm to an unborn baby. Do not use tobramycin injection without your doctor’s consent if you are pregnant. Tell your doctor if you become pregnant during treatment. Use an effective form of birth control while you are using this medication.

Tobramycin can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Older adults may be more likely to have side effects from this medication.

How should I take tobramycin (injection)?

Use this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not use the medication in larger amounts, or use it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the instructions on your prescription label.

This medication is given as an injection through a needle placed into a vein or as a shot given into a muscle. Your doctor, nurse, or other healthcare provider will give you this injection. You may be given instructions on how to use your injections at home. Do not use this medicine at home if you do not fully understand how to give the injection and properly dispose of needles and other items used in giving the medicine.

Use each needle and syringe only one time. With your medicine you will receive a puncture-proof container for used needles and syringes. If you do not receive a container, ask your pharmacist for one. Keep this container out of the reach of children and pets. Your pharmacist can tell you how to properly dispose of the container.

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 entire length of time prescribed by your doctor. Your symptoms may get better before the infection is completely treated. Tobramycin injection will not treat a viral infection such as the common cold or flu.

To be sure this medication is not causing harmful effects, your doctor will need to check your progress on a regular basis. Your hearing and kidney function may also need to be tested. Do not miss any scheduled visits to your doctor.

If you need to have any type of 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 this medication at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

What happens if I miss a dose of tobramycin (injection)?

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

Where can I get more information about tobramycin (injection)?
Your pharmacist has information about tobramycin (injection) written for health professionals that you may read.
What are the possible side effects of tobramycin (injection)?

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.

Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

  • hearing loss or ringing in your ears (even after you have stopped using tobramycin injection);

  • urinating less than usual or not at all;

  • muscle stiffness or uncontrolled twitching;

  • wheezing, chest tightness, trouble breathing;

  • confusion, seizure (convulsions); or

  • fever, sore throat, and headache with a severe blistering, peeling, and red skin rash.

Less serious side effects are more likely to occur, such as:

  • muscle weakness; or

  • numbness or tingly feeling.

Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

What is the most important information I should know about tobramycin (injection)?

Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are pregnant. It could cause harm to the unborn baby. Use an effective form of birth control, and tell your doctor if you become pregnant during treatment.

There may be other drugs that can affect tobramycin injection. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.

Contact your doctor promptly if you have any hearing loss or ringing in your ears, even if these side effects occur long after you have stopped using tobramycin injection.

Other serious side effects include urinating less than usual or not at all, muscle stiffness or uncontrolled twitching, and wheezing, chest tightness, or trouble breathing.

Use this medication for the entire length of time prescribed by your doctor. Your symptoms may get better before the infection is completely treated. Tobramycin injection will not treat a viral infection such as the common cold or flu.

Tobramycin injection can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert.

What should I avoid while taking tobramycin (injection)?

There are no restrictions on food, beverages, or activity while using tobramycin injection unless your doctor has told you otherwise.

Tobramycin injection can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert.

What other drugs will affect tobramycin (injection)?

Before using tobramycin injection, tell your doctor if you are using any of the following drugs:

  • pentamidine (Nebupent, Pentam);

  • tacrolimus (Prograf);

  • amphotericin B (Fungizone, AmBisome, Amphotec, Abelcet);

  • a diuretic (water pill);

  • antibiotics such as capreomycin (Capastat), rifampin (Rifadin, Rimactane, Rifater), vancomycin (Vancocin, Vancoled);

  • antiviral medicines such as acyclovir (Zovirax), adefovir (Hepsera), cidofovir (Vistide), or foscarnet (Foscavir); or

  • cancer medicine such as aldesleukin (Proleukin), carmustine (BiCNU, Gliadel), cisplatin (Platinol), ifosfamide (Ifex), oxaliplatin (Eloxatin), plicamycin (Mithracin), streptozocin (Zanosar), or tretinoin (Vesanoid).

If you are using any of these drugs, you may not be able to use tobramycin injection, or you may need dosage adjustments or special tests during treatment.

There may be other drugs not listed that can affect tobramycin injection. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.

What happens if I have an overdose of tobramycin (injection)?

Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine.

Symptoms of a tobramycin injection overdose may include dizziness, ringing in your ears, and urinating more or less than usual, or not at all.

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed. Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.
Content provided by Multum - Last Updated 2/11/2008