Generic name: tobramycin (inhalation) [ toe-bra-MY-sin ]
Brand names: Bethkis, Kitabis Pak, Tobi, Tobi Podhaler
Dosage forms: inhalation capsule (28 mg), inhalation solution (60 mg/mL; 75 mg/mL)
Drug classes: Aminoglycosides, Inhaled anti-infectives

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com on Feb 16, 2024. Written by Cerner Multum.

What is tobramycin inhalation?

Tobramycin is an antibiotic that is inhaled into the lungs using a nebulizer. Tobramycin inhalation is used to treat lung infections in patients with cystic fibrosis.

tobramycin is for use in adults and children who are at least 6 years old.

Tobramycin inhalation may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Tobramycin inhalation side effects

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

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

• new or worsening breathing problems, such as wheezing, cough, chest tightness, or trouble breathing;

• hearing problems, ringing in your ears;

• hoarse voice;

• severe dizziness, spinning sensation, balance problems;

• weak or shallow breathing;

• muscle weakness; or

• kidney problems--little or no urination, swelling in your feet or ankles, feeling tired or short of breath.

Common side effects of tobramycin may include:

• cough, sore throat, hoarse voice;

• feeling short of breath;

• noisy breathing;

• worsening of lung problems or cystic fibrosis;

• coughing up mucus or blood;

• altered sense of taste;

• fever;

• headache; or

• rash.

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.

Warnings

Follow all directions on your medicine label and package. Tell each of your healthcare providers about all your medical conditions, allergies, and all medicines you use.

Before taking this medicine

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

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• hearing problems;

• breathing problems (cough, wheezing, chest tightness);

• dizzy spells;

• a neuromuscular disease such as myasthenia gravis or Parkinson's disease; or

• kidney disease.

It is not known whether tobramycin inhalation will harm an unborn baby. However, a medicine similar to tobramycin caused irreversible hearing damage in babies whose mothers took that medicine during pregnancy.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Having cystic fibrosis during pregnancy may increase the risk of premature birth. The benefit of treating cystic fibrosis may outweigh any risks to the baby.

If you breastfeed while using tobramycin, watch the baby for signs of diarrhea, blood in the stools, or a fungal diaper rash with white patches on the skin.

Tobramycin is not approved for use by anyone younger than 6 years old.

How should I use tobramycin inhalation?

Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Use the medicine exactly as directed.

Tobramycin is inhaled into the lungs with the use of a nebulizer or an inhaler device. Do not swallow the medicine by mouth.

Use only the inhaler device provided with your medicine.

Read and carefully follow any Instructions for Use provided with your medicine. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you do not understand these instructions.

Tobramycin is given in a treatment cycle of 28 days on and 28 days off. Follow your doctor's dosing instructions very carefully. Keep using tobramycin on this schedule, even if you feel fine.

Use your doses at regular intervals of 12 hours apart but not less than 6 hours apart.

If you use other inhaled medicines, or if you perform chest physiotherapy to remove mucus from the lungs, use these other treatments first before using your tobramycin dose.

Do not use tobramycin inhalation solution if it looks cloudy or has particles in it. Call your pharmacist for new medicine.

Store tobramycin ampules in the refrigerator between 36 and 46 degrees Fahrenheit (2 and 8 degrees Celsius).

If refrigeration is not available, store the ampules at cool room temperature for up to 28 days. Protect from light. The solution may become darker in color at room temperature, but this should not affect the quality of the medicine.

Store Tobi Podhaler capsules in their original blister pack at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Remove a Tobi Podhaler capsule from the blister pack only when you are ready to load it into your inhaler device.

Related/similar drugs

amoxicillin, doxycycline, azithromycin, ciprofloxacin, cephalexin, metronidazole, triamcinolone, ceftriaxone, clindamycin, lidocaine topical

What happens if I miss a dose?

Use the medicine as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if your next dose is due in less than 6 hours. Do not use two doses at one time.

What happens if I overdose?

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

What should I avoid while using tobramycin inhalation?

Do not mix tobramycin solution with dornase alfa (Pulmozyme) in the nebulizer.

What other drugs will affect tobramycin inhalation?

Sometimes it is not safe to use certain medications at the same time. Some drugs can affect your blood levels of other drugs you take, which may increase side effects.

Tell your doctor about all your other medicines, especially:

• urea;

• a diuretic or "water pill"--furosemide, Lasix, ethacrynic acid, and others;

• tobramycin or similar medicines (taken by mouth or injected)--amikacin, kanamycin, neomycin, paromomycin, plazomicin, streptomycin; or

• other medicine that may harm your kidneys, hearing, or nervous system--certain medicines for infections, cancer, osteoporosis, organ transplant rejection, bowel disorders, high blood pressure, or pain or arthritis (including Advil, Motrin, and Aleve).

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

Further information

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.

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Medical Disclaimer

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