Key takeaways
Erythromycin (Ilotycin) and Tobramycin (Tobrex) are both antibiotics used to treat bacterial eye infections, but they belong to different classes. Erythromycin is a macrolide antibiotic, while Tobramycin is an aminoglycoside antibiotic. Erythromycin is typically used as an eye ointment and can be applied up to 6 times a day, whereas Tobramycin is available as both eye drops and ointment, with the drops used every 4 hours for mild infections and more frequently for severe ones. Erythromycin is often used to prevent pink eye in newborns, while Tobramycin is suitable for people aged 2 months and older. Common side effects of Erythromycin include mild eye irritation and redness, while Tobramycin can cause eyelid itching, swelling, and eye redness. Both medications should be used as directed by your healthcare provider to avoid the risk of new or worsened infections.
