Comprehensive medication guide to {drug} including estimated pricing, availability information, side effects, and how to find it in stock at your local pharmacy.
Tobradex is a prescription ophthalmic combination medication containing Tobramycin (an aminoglycoside antibiotic) and Dexamethasone (a corticosteroid). It is used to treat bacterial eye infections while simultaneously reducing inflammation. Common uses include steroid-responsive inflammatory ocular conditions with bacterial infection, post-surgical eye inflammation, bacterial conjunctivitis with an inflammatory component, and blepharitis with bacterial involvement. Tobradex is manufactured by Novartis Pharmaceuticals and distributed by Alcon Laboratories.
Tobradex combines two active ingredients that work together. Tobramycin is an aminoglycoside antibiotic that kills susceptible bacteria by inhibiting their protein synthesis, effectively stopping the infection. Dexamethasone is a potent corticosteroid that suppresses the body's inflammatory response, reducing swelling, redness, and discomfort in the eye. Together, they treat the bacterial infection and the associated inflammation at the same time.
Tobradex scores a 65 out of 100 on our findability scale. While it's not on any FDA or ASHP shortage lists as of early 2026, intermittent availability issues have been reported at individual pharmacies due to supply chain variability and manufacturer production schedules. The generic version (Tobramycin/Dexamethasone) is generally easier to find than brand-name Tobradex or Tobradex ST. If your local pharmacy is out of stock, try using Medfinder to locate a nearby pharmacy that has it available.
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Tobradex is most commonly prescribed by ophthalmologists and optometrists, particularly after eye surgery or for eye infections. It can also be prescribed by primary care physicians, family medicine doctors, emergency medicine physicians, and pediatricians. Telehealth prescribing is generally not available for Tobradex since it typically requires an in-person eye examination.
No, Tobradex is not a controlled substance. It does not have a DEA schedule and is not subject to the prescribing restrictions associated with controlled medications. However, it is still a prescription-only medication and requires a valid prescription from a licensed healthcare provider.
Serious side effects that require immediate medical attention include increased intraocular pressure (glaucoma risk with prolonged use), posterior subcapsular cataract formation, secondary fungal or viral eye infections, delayed wound healing, and sudden vision changes or vision loss. Contact your doctor immediately if you experience any of these.
Talk to your doctor about which alternative may be right for you if Tobradex is unavailable or not covered by your insurance.
Always tell your doctor about all medications you are taking, including over-the-counter drugs and supplements.
Tobradex remains an effective and widely prescribed ophthalmic medication for treating bacterial eye infections with inflammation. While it scores a 65 on our findability scale due to intermittent pharmacy-level availability issues, the generic version (Tobramycin/Dexamethasone) is generally accessible and significantly more affordable. If you're having trouble finding Tobradex in stock, use Medfinder to search pharmacies near you. For savings, consider discount cards from GoodRx or SingleCare, which can bring generic prices down to $28–$55. If you're uninsured, Novartis Patient Assistance Foundation may be able to provide the medication at no cost.
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