Tobradex vs. Gentak for Skin Infection: Important Differences and Potential Risks.

Key takeaways

TobraDex (tobramycin/dexamethasone) and Gentak (gentamicin) are both prescription medications used to treat bacterial eye infections, but they have some key differences. TobraDex is a combination of an aminoglycoside antibiotic (tobramycin) and a corticosteroid (dexamethasone), which means it not only fights bacteria but also reduces inflammation. In contrast, Gentak contains only gentamicin, an aminoglycoside antibiotic, and does not have anti-inflammatory properties. TobraDex is available in both eye drop and ointment forms, while Gentak also comes in these forms but is noted for being more affordable. TobraDex requires more frequent dosing and shaking of the bottle before use, whereas Gentak's ointment form requires fewer doses per day but can be messier to apply. Additionally, TobraDex can raise eye pressure if used for more than 10 days, while Gentak may cause eye irritation or allergic reactions. Both medications should be used as directed by your healthcare provider to avoid complications and ensure effectiveness.

TobraDex

(tobramycin / dexamethasone)

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Gentamicin

(Gentak)

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Summary for Tobradex

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.

Indications for Tobradex

Eye inflammation from a bacterial infection in the eye
Eye inflammation when there's a risk for a bacterial infection in the eye

Pros and Cons for Tobradex

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

Common Side Effects for Tobradex

Eye irritation
Eye redness
Itchy eyelids
Swollen eyelids

Warnings for Tobradex

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

Summary for Gentak

Prescription only

Gentamicin (Gentak) is a popular, affordable antibiotic for treating different types of bacterial eye infections. It comes as an eye drop and an eye ointment.