Tobramycin can be hard to find in 2026 due to manufacturer shutdowns, supply chain issues, and high demand. Learn why and what you can do about it.
If you've been told your pharmacy is out of Tobramycin — whether it's the eye drops, the injection, or the inhaled form for cystic fibrosis — you're not imagining things. Tobramycin availability has been unpredictable in recent years, and 2026 is no different.
Whether you need Tobramycin ophthalmic drops for an eye infection or TOBI inhalation solution for a Pseudomonas lung infection, finding your prescription in stock can be a real challenge. In this guide, we'll explain exactly what's going on and what steps you can take today.
Tobramycin is an aminoglycoside antibiotic used to treat bacterial infections caused by Gram-negative organisms, especially Pseudomonas aeruginosa. It works by binding to the 30S ribosomal subunit of bacteria, disrupting their ability to make proteins and ultimately killing the bacteria.
Tobramycin comes in several forms:
You can learn more about how this medication works in our guide on how Tobramycin works.
There are several factors making Tobramycin difficult to locate at your pharmacy right now:
One of the biggest drivers of Tobramycin shortages has been the exit of key manufacturers from the market. Akorn Pharmaceuticals, which produced Tobramycin injection (40 mg/mL, 30 mL vials), discontinued their product entirely. When a manufacturer leaves the market, the remaining companies can't always scale up production fast enough to cover the gap.
The injectable form of Tobramycin is produced by only a handful of companies, including Pfizer, Fresenius Kabi, and Hikma. When one manufacturer has a production delay — due to equipment maintenance, raw material shortages, or quality control issues — the entire supply chain feels the impact. The ASHP (American Society of Health-System Pharmacists) has tracked intermittent Tobramycin injection shortages since 2015.
For cystic fibrosis patients who depend on inhaled Tobramycin to manage chronic Pseudomonas infections, supply disruptions can be especially concerning. The brand-name products — TOBI and TOBI Podhaler (made by Novartis) and Bethkis — serve a relatively small but medically dependent patient population. Even minor production hiccups can create noticeable shortages for this group.
Even when Tobramycin is being manufactured, getting it to your local pharmacy isn't always straightforward. Distribution delays, regional shortages, and inventory management decisions by pharmacy chains can all contribute to empty shelves — even when the drug isn't technically on a national shortage list.
Don't panic. There are practical steps you can take right now:
Medfinder helps you search for pharmacies near you that have Tobramycin in stock — including independent pharmacies that often have better availability than the big chains.
Chain pharmacies like CVS and Walgreens often run low on less common medications first. Independent pharmacies and compounding pharmacies may have Tobramycin available when others don't. For inhaled Tobramycin, specialty pharmacies that serve cystic fibrosis patients are your best bet.
If your specific Tobramycin formulation is unavailable, your doctor may be able to switch you to an alternative. For eye infections, Gentamicin ophthalmic drops or Moxifloxacin (Vigamox) may work. For CF patients, Aztreonam (Cayston) is another inhaled antibiotic option. Read more about Tobramycin alternatives.
Sometimes one form of Tobramycin is available when another isn't. If your pharmacy is out of the 0.3% ophthalmic solution, the ointment form might be in stock. Your doctor or pharmacist can help determine if switching formulations is appropriate for your situation.
If cost is adding to the challenge, discount cards from GoodRx or SingleCare can bring generic Tobramycin eye drops down to as low as $4 to $10. For the expensive inhaled forms, Novartis offers the PODCARE+ Savings Card for TOBI Podhaler (up to $14,000/year in copay help). Learn more in our guide to saving money on Tobramycin.
Tobramycin is a critical antibiotic that treats everything from eye infections to life-threatening systemic infections and chronic lung infections in cystic fibrosis. The supply challenges in 2026 are real — driven by manufacturer exits, limited production capacity, and distribution bottlenecks — but they're not insurmountable.
Your best strategy: use tools like Medfinder to find pharmacies with stock, talk to your prescriber about alternative formulations or medications if needed, and explore financial assistance programs if cost is a barrier. For more tips, check out our guide on how to find Tobramycin in stock near you.
You focus on staying healthy. We'll handle the rest.
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