SKU	1131
Generic For	Tobradex
Strength	3 mg and 1 mg
Active Ingredient	Tobramycin and Dexamethasone

Product Description

Toba DM 3 mg and 1 mg – Affordable Tobradex Alternative

Toba DM is a powerful eye drop that can treat bacterial eye infections. It is not recommended for treating infections that are not bacterial in nature.

What does Toba DM contain?

The most powerful ingredients of this medicine are Tobramycin Sulphate (0.3%) and Dexamethasone (0.1%). The combination of these ingredients can potentially prevent eye infections.

How does Toba DM work?

The present Dexamethasone and Tobramycin have antibiotic properties that inhibit bacteria from functioning. Dexamethasone has anti-inflammatory properties. Its corticosteroids can reduce swelling and itching that occur due to eye infections. The ingredients of Toba DM – 3 mg and 1 mg can stop bacterial growth in the eye by preventing the synthesis of essential proteins required for the development of bacterial infection.

Precautions

Dosage Instructions

Side Effects

Don’t use Tobramycin Dexamethasone Eye Drops if you are allergic to these ingredients. If you have recently had surgery for cataracts then avoid this medicine for some days. Consult your doctor before taking any other supplements or medicines with the eye drop. Avoid its contact to broken skin, nose or mouth. Do not use Toba DM – 3 mg and 1 mg more often or for longer than recommended duration by your doctor. This medicine may cause dizziness, so don’t drive immediately after using it. Toba DM Eye Drops is not perfectly safe to use during pregnancy.

How to Use

Infographics

FAQ

What is Toba DM Eye Drop used for?

Toba DM Eye Drop is a combination eye drop containing tobramycin (an antibiotic) and dexamethasone (a corticosteroid, or steroid anti-inflammatory). It is used when an eye infection needs both an antibiotic to kill the bacteria and a steroid to reduce the associated redness, swelling, and discomfort. Common uses include treating infected conjunctivitis, blepharoconjunctivitis (infection and inflammation of the eyelids and conjunctiva), and post-operative inflammation in the eye where there is also a risk of infection.

How should Toba DM Eye Drop be used correctly?

Wash your hands before use. Shake the bottle gently, then tilt your head back and pull down your lower eyelid to form a small pocket. Apply 1–2 drops as directed by your doctor, then gently close your eye and press lightly on the inner corner (by the nose) for about 1 minute. This reduces systemic absorption and helps the medicine stay in the eye. Do not touch the dropper tip to any surface. Replace the cap immediately after use. Use the drops only in the affected eye(s) as prescribed.

How often should Toba DM Eye Drop be used, and for how long?

Your doctor will determine the dosing frequency based on the severity of your condition. Typically, the drops are used 4–6 times a day for the first 1–2 days (when the infection or inflammation is at its worst), and then the frequency is gradually reduced as the eye improves. Treatment usually lasts no longer than 1–2 weeks. It is important not to use steroid-containing eye drops for longer than prescribed without medical supervision, as prolonged use can cause serious problems including increased eye pressure and cataract formation.

Can I wear contact lenses while using Toba DM Eye Drop?

No — contact lenses should be removed before using Toba DM Eye Drops. The preservative benzalkonium chloride, used in many eye drops, can be absorbed by soft contact lens material and cause eye irritation. Moreover, wearing contact lenses during an active eye infection is generally not advisable as lenses can trap bacteria and make the infection worse. Wait at least 15 minutes after instilling the drops before reinserting lenses — and ideally, follow your doctor's advice about when it is safe to resume lens wear.

Why does Toba DM Eye Drop contain a steroid alongside the antibiotic?

When a bacterial eye infection causes significant inflammation (redness, swelling, pain, and sensitivity to light), treating only the bacteria may not resolve the discomfort quickly. The dexamethasone (steroid) component in Toba DM helps to dampen the inflammatory response — reducing redness, swelling, and irritation — while the tobramycin kills the bacteria. Together, the two components provide both antibacterial action and anti-inflammatory relief, helping the eye recover more comfortably and quickly. This combination is only used when both are clinically needed.

Are there any risks to using a steroid-containing eye drop like Toba DM?

Yes — steroid eye drops must be used exactly as directed and not longer than prescribed. Prolonged use of steroid eye drops can increase pressure inside the eye (a condition called ocular hypertension), which over time can damage the optic nerve and lead to glaucoma. They can also accelerate the formation of cataracts (clouding of the lens of the eye) with long-term use. Steroid eye drops can also worsen viral eye infections — particularly herpes simplex eye infections — so it is important to have the correct diagnosis before starting treatment.

Is Toba DM Eye Drop safe for children?

Toba DM Eye Drop can be used in children when prescribed by a doctor, but it should be used with extra caution and for the shortest effective course. Children's eyes can be more sensitive to the steroid component, and there is a small risk of systemic (whole-body) steroid absorption when eye drops are used frequently in young children. Your doctor will only prescribe this combination when both the antibiotic and anti-inflammatory effects are clearly needed. Follow the dosing instructions precisely and report any concerns to your doctor promptly.

Can Toba DM Eye Drop be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding?

The safety of steroid-antibiotic combination eye drops during pregnancy is not fully established through large clinical studies. The general guidance is that they should only be used in pregnancy or breastfeeding when clearly necessary and prescribed by a doctor — typically for a short course when the infection or inflammation is significant enough to warrant treatment. Pressing the inner corner of the eye after instillation minimises absorption into the bloodstream. Always inform your doctor that you are pregnant or breastfeeding before starting any eye medication.

How does Toba DM Eye Drop differ from plain Toba Eye Drop 0.3%?

Plain Toba Eye Drop contains only tobramycin (the antibiotic) and is used for straightforward bacterial eye infections where inflammation is not a significant component. Toba DM adds dexamethasone (a steroid) to also treat the associated inflammation. Toba DM is therefore prescribed when the doctor determines that both infection and significant inflammation are present and need simultaneous treatment. Because of the risks associated with steroid eye drops (increased eye pressure, cataracts), Toba DM is used more selectively and for shorter courses than plain antibiotic drops.

What should I do if I accidentally use too many drops of Toba DM?

Using one or two extra drops in the eye on a single occasion is unlikely to cause serious harm — the excess liquid will overflow from the eye and can be wiped away gently with a clean tissue. However, try to avoid repeated accidental overdosing, as the steroid component (dexamethasone) can have unwanted effects on the eye if it builds up over time. If you have used a substantially larger amount than prescribed or if a child has ingested the drops, seek advice from a pharmacist or doctor to be safe.

What are the common side effects of tobramycin and dexamethasone eye drops?

Local side effects are the most common — these include brief burning or stinging when the drops are instilled, temporary blurred vision for a minute or two after application, eye redness, and a feeling of mild eye irritation or grittiness. A slightly unusual or unpleasant taste can sometimes be noticed as the drops drain into the back of the throat through the tear duct — this is normal and harmless. Temporary increased sensitivity to light (photophobia) can also occur. Most of these effects settle quickly.

What side effects from tobramycin-dexamethasone eye drops need medical attention?

Tell your doctor if you notice no improvement — or a worsening — of your eye symptoms after 2 days of treatment. Increased pain, worsening redness, or a change in vision that does not clear may mean the treatment is not working or that the diagnosis needs to be reviewed. If you experience significant eye pain, see halos around lights, or notice increasing pressure-like discomfort in the eye, report this to your doctor promptly — these can be signs of raised eye pressure from the steroid component. Any signs of an allergic reaction (widespread rash, swelling, breathing difficulty) also need urgent attention.

Toba DM 3 mg and 1 mg (10 ml)