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Tobramycin (Tobramycin Sulfate) - Summary

 
 



BOXED WARNING

Patients treated with tobramycin and other aminoglycosides should be under close clinical observation, because these drugs have an inherent potential for causing ototoxicity and nephrotoxicity.

Neurotoxicity, manifested as both auditory and vestibular ototoxicity, can occur.  The auditory changes are irreversible, are usually bilateral, and may be partial or total.  Eighth-nerve impairment and nephrotoxicity may develop, primarily in patients having pre-existing renal damage and in those with normal renal function to whom aminoglycosides are administered for longer periods or in higher doses than those recommended.  Other manifestations of neurotoxicity may include numbness, skin tingling, muscle twitching, and convulsions.  The risk of aminoglycoside-induced hearing loss increases with the degree of exposure to either high peak or high trough serum concentrations.  Patients who develop cochlear damage may not have symptoms during therapy to warn them of eighth-nerve toxicity, and partial or total irreversible bilateral deafness may continue to develop after the drug has been discontinued.

Rarely, nephrotoxicity may not become apparent until the first few days after cessation of therapy.  Aminoglycoside-induced nephrotoxicity usually is reversible.

Renal and eighth-nerve function should be closely monitored in patients with known or suspected renal impairment and also in those whose renal function is initially normal but who develop signs of renal dysfunction during therapy.  Peak and trough serum concentrations of aminoglycosides should be monitored periodically during therapy to assure adequate levels and to avoid potentially toxic levels.  Prolonged serum concentrations above 12 mcg/mL should be avoided.  Rising trough levels (above 2 mcg/mL) may indicate tissue accumulation.  Such accumulation, excessive peak concentrations, advanced age, and cumulative dose may contribute to ototoxicity and nephrotoxicity (see PRECAUTIONS ).  Urine should be examined for decreased specific gravity and increased excretion of protein, cells, and casts.  Blood urea nitrogen, serum creatinine, and creatinine clearance should be measured periodically.  When feasible, it is recommended that serial audiograms be obtained in patients old enough to be tested, particularly high-risk patients.  Evidence of impairment of renal, vestibular, or auditory function requires discontinuation of the drug or dosage adjustment.

Tobramycin should be used with caution in premature and neonatal infants because of their renal immaturity and the resulting prolongation of serum half-life of the drug.

Concurrent and sequential use of other neurotoxic and/or nephrotoxic antibiotics, particularly other aminoglycosides (e.g., amikacin, streptomycin, neomycin, kanamycin, gentamicin, and paromomycin), cephaloridine, viomycin, polymyxin B, colistin, cisplatin, and vancomycin, should be avoided.  Other factors that may increase patient risk are advanced age and dehydration.

Aminoglycosides should not be given concurrently with potent diuretics, such as ethacrynic acid and furosemide.  Some diuretics themselves cause ototoxicity, and intravenously administered diuretics enhance aminoglycoside toxicity by altering antibiotic concentrations in serum and tissue.

Aminoglycosides can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman (see PRECAUTIONS ).

 

TOBRAMYCIN SUMMARY

Tobramycin sulfate, a water-soluble antibiotic of the aminoglycoside group, is derived from the actinomycete Streptomyces tenebrarius.

To reduce the development of drug-resistant bacteria and maintain the effectiveness of Tobramycin Injection, USP and other antibacterial drugs, Tobramycin Injection, USP should be used only to treat or prevent infections that are proven or strongly suspected to be caused by susceptible bacteria.  When culture and susceptibility information are available, they should be considered in selecting or modifying antibacterial therapy.  In the absence of such data, local epidemiology and susceptibility patterns may contribute to the empiric selection of therapy.

Tobramycin injection is indicated for the treatment of serious bacterial infections caused by susceptible strains of the designated microorganisms in the diseases listed below:

Septicemia in the pediatric patient and adult caused by P. aeruginosa , E. coli , and Klebsiella sp

Lower respiratory tract infections caused by P. aeruginos a, Klebsiella sp, Enterobacter sp, Serratia sp, E. coli , and S. aureus (penicillinase- and non-penicillinase-producing strains)

Serious central-nervous-system infections (meningitis) caused by susceptible organisms

Intra-abdominal infections, including peritonitis, caused by E. coli , Klebsiella sp, and Enterobacter sp

Skin, bone, and skin structure infections caused by P. aeruginosa , Proteus sp, E. coli , Klebsiella sp, Enterobacter sp, and S. aureus

Complicated and recurrent urinary tract infections caused by P. aeruginosa , Proteus sp, (indole-positive and indole-negative), E. coli , Klebsiella sp, Enterobacter sp, Serratia sp, S. aureus , Providencia sp, and Citrobacter sp.

Aminoglycosides, including tobramycin, are not indicated in uncomplicated initial episodes of urinary tract infections unless the causative organisms are not susceptible to antibiotics having less potential toxicity.  Tobramycin may be considered in serious staphylococcal infections when penicillin or other potentially less toxic drugs are contraindicated and when bacterial susceptibility testing and clinical judgment indicate its use.

Bacterial cultures should be obtained prior to and during treatment to isolate and identify etiologic organisms and to test their susceptibility to tobramycin.  If susceptibility tests show that the causative organisms are resistant to tobramycin, other appropriate therapy should be instituted.  In patients in whom a serious life-threatening gram-negative infection is suspected, including those in whom concurrent therapy with a penicillin or cephalosporin and an aminoglycoside may be indicated, treatment with tobramycin may be initiated before the results of susceptibility studies are obtained.  The decision to continue therapy with tobramycin should be based on the results of susceptibility studies, the severity of the infection, and the important additional concepts discussed in the WARNINGS   box above.


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NEWS HIGHLIGHTS

Published Studies Related to Tobramycin

Higher tobramycin concentration and vibrating mesh technology can shorten antibiotic treatment time in cystic fibrosis. [2011.04]
Poor adherence to recommended therapy in cystic fibrosis (CF) is often because of the time demands of therapy... These results demonstrate the possibility of delivering equivalent levels of tobramycin much faster into the lungs of CF patients when using eFlow(R), a very efficient electronic nebulizer.

Evaluation of clinical efficacy and safety of tobramycin/dexamethasone ophthalmic suspension 0.3%/0.05% compared to azithromycin ophthalmic solution 1% in the treatment of moderate to severe acute blepharitis/blepharoconjunctivitis. [2011.01]
CONCLUSION: ST provides a fast and effective treatment of acute blepharitis compared to azithromycin. Initial therapy with the combination of tobramycin/dexamethasone provides faster inflammation relief than azithromycin for moderate to severe blepharitis/blepharoconjunctivitis.

Safety, efficacy and convenience of tobramycin inhalation powder in cystic fibrosis patients: The EAGER trial. [2011.01]
BACKGROUND: A light-porous-particle, dry-powder formulation of tobramycin was developed, using PulmoSphere(R) technology, to improve airway delivery efficiency, substantially reduce delivery time, and improve patient convenience and satisfaction. We evaluated the safety, efficacy and convenience of tobramycin inhalation powder (TIP) versus tobramycin inhalation solution (TIS, TOBI(R)) for treating Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection in cystic fibrosis (CF) patients aged >/=6 years... CONCLUSIONS: TIP has a safety and efficacy profile comparable with TIS, and offers a far more convenient treatment option for pseudomonas lung infection in CF. Copyright A(c) 2010 European Cystic Fibrosis Society. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Lung deposition of inhaled tobramycin with eFlow rapid/LC Plus jet nebuliser in healthy and cystic fibrosis subjects. [2011.01]
BACKGROUND: Reducing nebulisation times for tobramycin solution for inhalation in cystic fibrosis (CF) may improve compliance... CONCLUSIONS: eFlow rapid reduces the nebulisation time of tobramycin and can potentially improved compliance in patients with CF. Copyright A(c) 2010 European Cystic Fibrosis Society. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Ketorolac plus tobramycin/dexamethasone versus tobramycin/dexamethasone after uneventful phacoemulsification surgery: a randomized controlled trial. [2011]
BACKGROUND/AIMS: To evaluate the benefit of adding a nonsteroid agent to an antibiotic/steroid combination after uneventful phacoemulsification, adopting a weekly follow-up, to gain insight into the optimal duration of postoperative treatment and to examine whether risk factors for inflammation exist... CONCLUSION: The addition of ketorolac did not seem to offer any additional benefit in terms of inflammation-related signs. Four weeks appeared as an adequate treatment interval. Special attention should be paid to patients with pseudoexfoliation. Copyright (c) 2010 S. Karger AG, Basel.

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Clinical Trials Related to Tobramycin

Tobramycin Tear Concentrations [Completed]

Pharmacokinetic Evaluation and Tolerability of Dry Powder Tobramycin by a Novel Device in Patients With Non Cystic Fibrosis Bronchiectasis [Completed]
Bronchiectasis is a persistent and frequently progressive condition characterized by dilated and thick-walled bronchi retaining sputum. The main symptoms of bronchiectasis are cough and chronic sputum production. Until now, most patients with non-CF bronchiectasis receive inhaled tobramycin every other month, by use of a nebulizer. However, this delivery system has several disadvantages, like a low lung deposition and pollution with tobramycin in the surrounding environment. With an efficient dry powder inhaler (DPI), a three to six fold higher lung deposition compared to a nebulizer can be obtained. Therapy with a DPI is also less time consuming compared to nebulisation. We will investigate dry powder tobramycin (DP tobramycin) in a novel device in patients with non-CF bronchiectasis. The main objectives of this study are to investigate the pharmacokinetic properties of DP tobramycin at different dosages together with the local tolerability of DP tobramycin via the Cyclops® at different dosages.

Safety of Tobramycin Inhalation Powder (TIP) vs Tobramycin Solution for Inhalation in Patients With Cystic Fibrosis [Completed]
This study compares the safety of the tobramycin solution for inhalation with the tobramycin dry powder formulation, used with a simple inhaler

Circadian Rhythm In Tobramycin Elimination In Cystic Fibrosis [Completed]
Cystic fibrosis is the most common inherited life limiting condition which affects children. Patients with it develop lung infections which become difficult to clear, and damage the lungs. These are treated with antibiotics (such as tobramycin) into the vein (termed "intravenous antibiotics"). This has without doubt improved survival. However, all treatments have side effects. Tobramycin can cause kidney damage. The investigators have preliminary data that suggests that administering tobramycin in the morning may be safer for the kidneys than administering it in the evening. The investigators plan to approach children and adults with cystic fibrosis whose doctors have decided to administer a course of intravenous tobramycin. The investigators will randomly allocate them to receive it at either 0800h or 2200h. The investigators will measure the rate at which the body eliminates tobramycin from the bloodstream, by measuring the amount of tobramycin in the blood stream after administering the antibiotic. For each patient the study will last for the duration of the course of antibiotics. This is decided by the doctor looking after the patient (rather than the researcher), and would typically be 14 days. The investigators will also measure substances in the blood and urine ("biomarkers") which are sensitive indicators of low levels of kidney injury. The investigators will monitor lung function and lung bacteria in both the groups to ensure that the patients in both groups improve by the same amount. If the preliminary data are proved correct, this research will allow investigators to improve the safety profile of tobramycin, one of the most widely prescribed drugs in cystic fibrosis.

Efficacy & Tolerability of Tobramycin Podhaler in Bronchiectasis Patients With Chronic Pseudomonas Aeruginosa Infection [Not yet recruiting]
The use of inhaled medications for the treatment of pulmonary diseases allows for the delivery of a high concentration of a drug at the site of disease with reduced systemic absorption and risk of systemic adverse effects. Inhaled Tobramycin has been successfully used in the maintenance treatment of CF patients with chronic colonization with PA (Pseudomonas aeruginosa). In the CF population TOBI has been proven to improve lung functions, decrease the density of the PA in the sputum, decrease hospitalizations, and reduce the risk of mortality. Non CF Bronchiectasis share many features in common with CF, including frequent colonization with PA that leads to deterioration in lung function and increased morbidity. A recent Cochrane review concluded that there is a small benefit for the use of prolonged antibiotics in the treatment of bronchiectasis, however further randomized controlled trials with adequate power and standardized end points are required. There have been reports in the literature describing the efficacy of inhaled tobramycin the treatment of patients with non CF bronchiectasis with eradication of PA, and significant improvement in respiratory symptoms. There were however patients who discontinued treatment due to adverse events most commonly cough wheezing and dyspnea. (Scheinberg and Shore, Chest 2005). TOBI Podhaler is a dry powder inhaler that was recently launched, and is much easier and faster to use compared to nebulised Tobramycin. To the best of our knowledge Tobramycin dry powder formulation has not yet been trialed in patients with non CF bronchiectasis. The purpose of this trial is to assess the efficacy and tolerability of TOBI Podhaler in patients with non CF bronchiectasis, and to gather more data on the benefit of continuous antibiotic therapy in patients with non CF bronchectais.

more trials >>

Reports of Suspected Tobramycin Side Effects

Intraocular Pressure Increased (7)Decreased Appetite (7)Vision Blurred (7)Drug Ineffective (6)Pyrexia (6)Eye Oedema (5)Visual Acuity Reduced (5)Angioedema (5)Drug Hypersensitivity (5)Ageusia (5)more >>


PATIENT REVIEWS / RATINGS / COMMENTS

Based on a total of 1 ratings/reviews, Tobramycin has an overall score of 9. The effectiveness score is 10 and the side effect score is 10. The scores are on ten point scale: 10 - best, 1 - worst.
 

Tobramycin review by 35 year old female patient

  Rating
Overall rating:  
Effectiveness:   Highly Effective
Side effects:   No Side Effects
  
Treatment Info
Condition / reason:   Pink Eye
Dosage & duration:   .3% (dosage frequency: 1-2 drops every 4 hours) for the period of 7 days
Other conditions:   None
Other drugs taken:   None
  
Reported Results
Benefits:   revieved my eyes of the redness and puffiness and fluid that had been coming out of my eyes.
Side effects:   There were no side effets. It did report that I could receive hypersensitivity including iching and swelling but I did not.
Comments:   Had to put eye drops in daily for about 7 days. Noticed it clearing even after 2 days.

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Page last updated: 2011-12-09

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