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Compare Tobradex vs. Floxin Otic

Head-to-head comparisons of medication uses, side effects, warnings, and more.

Key takeaways

TobraDex (tobramycin/dexamethasone) and Floxin Otic (ofloxacin) are both prescription medications, but they treat different types of infections. TobraDex is a combination of an aminoglycoside antibiotic and a corticosteroid, used as eye drops or ointment to treat bacterial eye infections and reduce inflammation. In contrast, Floxin Otic is a fluoroquinolone antibiotic used as ear drops to treat various ear infections, such as swimmer's ear and middle ear infections. TobraDex combines two medications for convenience, while Floxin Otic contains only an antibiotic. TobraDex can cause side effects like eye irritation and increased eye pressure if used for more than 10 days, whereas Floxin Otic may cause ear discomfort and, rarely, dizziness. Additionally, TobraDex is not suitable for viral or fungal eye infections, and Floxin Otic should not be used in the eyes. Both medications are available in generic forms, making them more affordable.

  • Tobradex (tobramycin / dexamethasone)
    Ofloxacin ear drops
  • Tobradex (tobramycin / dexamethasone)
    Ofloxacin ear drops

  • Summary of Tobradex vs. Floxin Otic

    Summary for Aminoglycoside antibiotic / Corticosteroid
    Prescription only

    TobraDex (tobramycin / dexamethasone) is available as eye drops and an eye ointment. It's used to treat and relieve bacterial eye infections. This medication contains tobramycin (an aminoglycoside antibiotic that helps fight the infection) and dexamethasone (a corticosteroid that helps lower eye inflammation). Most people have few to no side effects from the medication when they use it as directed. But the medication can raise your eye pressure if you use it for more than 10 days.

    Summary for Fluoroquinolone antibiotic
    Prescription only

    Ofloxacin is a prescription otic medication, or ear drop. It's a fluoroquinolone antibiotic that's used to treat different types of ear infections, such as swimmer's ear and middle ear infection, in adults and children. This medication is given as 5 or 10 drops into the infected ear once or twice a day for 7 or 14 days, depending on your age and the type of ear infection you have. The most common side effect is ear discomfort from applying the drops.

  • Indications of Tobradex vs. Floxin Otic

    Indications for
    •Eye inflammation from a bacterial infection in the eye
    •Eye inflammation when there's a risk for a bacterial infection in the eye
    Indications for
    •Outer ear infection (swimmer's ear) in people ages 6 months and older
    •Middle ear infections in children ages 1 year and older with ear tubes
    •Long-term middle ear infections in people ages 12 years and older with burst eardrums

  • Pros and Cons of Tobradex vs. Floxin Otic

    Pros and Const for Aminoglycoside antibiotic / Corticosteroid
    Pros
    •Relieves eye inflammation and treats bacterial eye infection at the same time
    •Combines two medications into one eye product for convenience
    •Applied directly where the infection is (in the eye)
    •Is safe and work wells for children as young as 2 years old
    •Eye drops are available as a lower-cost generic
    Cons
    •Need to use multiple times a day
    •Must shake the eye drop bottle before each use, which can be easy to forget
    •Can cause eye irritation or allergic reactions for some people
    •Requires an eye exam after 10 days of use to check your eye pressure
    •Only treats some bacterial eye infections; it doesn't treat fungal or viral infections
    Pros and Const for Fluoroquinolone antibiotic
    Pros
    •Works well to treat certain types of ear infections
    •Can safely use in babies for certain ear infections
    •Available as a lower-cost generic
    Cons
    •Doesn't contain medication to help with ear pain
    •Must lie still for 5 minutes after placing the drops into the ear to make sure the medication is absorbed
    •Must warm up the medication in your hands before putting the drops into the ear to prevent dizziness

  • Common Side Effects of Tobradex vs. Floxin Otic

    Common Side Effects for
    •Eye irritation
    •Eye redness
    •Itchy eyelids
    •Swollen eyelids
    Common Side Effects for
    •Pain or irritation where the medication touches the ear (up to 17%)
    •Itching (up to 4%)

  • Warnings of Tobradex vs. Floxin Otic

    Common Side Effects for
    •Only use on the surface of the eye
    •Higher eye pressure
    •New or worsened eye infections
    •New eye problems (e.g., injury, cataracts)
    •Possible allergic reaction
    Common Side Effects for
    •Use only in the ear
    •Severe allergic reactions
    •Risk of developing new infection

  • Prices with our coupons for Tobradex vs. Floxin Otic

    Learn more about Tobradex
    Learn more about Ofloxacin ear drops

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