Skip to main content
HomeDrug Comparisons
Drug bottle and Pill

Compare Tobradex vs. Lotemax

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

Key takeaways

TobraDex (tobramycin/dexamethasone) and Lotemax (loteprednol) are both prescription eye medications, but they serve different purposes and have distinct compositions. TobraDex is a combination of an aminoglycoside antibiotic (tobramycin) and a corticosteroid (dexamethasone), making it effective for treating bacterial eye infections and reducing inflammation. In contrast, Lotemax is solely a corticosteroid (loteprednol) and is used to treat various eye conditions like dry eye disease, inflammation after eye surgery, and seasonal allergies. TobraDex is available in both eye drops and ointment forms, while Lotemax comes in multiple forms, including suspension, gel, and ointment. TobraDex must be used multiple times a day and can raise eye pressure if used for more than 10 days, whereas Lotemax also requires frequent application and carries similar risks of high eye pressure and infection with long-term use. Additionally, both medications have some generic options available.

  • Tobradex (tobramycin / dexamethasone)
    Loteprednol (Lotemax)
  • Tobradex (tobramycin / dexamethasone)
    Loteprednol (Lotemax)

  • Summary of Tobradex vs. Lotemax

    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 Corticosteroid
    Prescription only

    Loteprednol (Lotemax) is a steroid eye medication that comes in many strengths and forms to treat various eye conditions including recent eye surgery, dry eye, inflammation, and seasonal allergies.

  • Indications of Tobradex vs. Lotemax

    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
    •Dry eye disease
    •Eye inflammation conditions
    •Inflammation and pain after eye surgery
    •Eye inflammation due to seasonal allergies

  • Pros and Cons of Tobradex vs. Lotemax

    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 Corticosteroid
    Pros
    •Applied directly where the pain or inflammation is
    •Causes fewer serious side effects than oral medications
    •Available as a suspension, gel, and ointment form
    Cons
    •Slows healing and raises your risk of eye infection
    •May have to be used up to four times a day
    •Most forms are brand name only and may be expensive.

  • Common Side Effects of Tobradex vs. Lotemax

    Common Side Effects for
    •Eye irritation
    •Eye redness
    •Itchy eyelids
    •Swollen eyelids
    Common Side Effects for
    •Blurry vision
    •Burning after placing the drops into the eye
    •Itching
    •Feeling like there's something in your eye

  • Warnings of Tobradex vs. Lotemax

    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
    •HIGH EYE PRESSURE (GLAUCOMA)
    •CATARACTS
    •NEW OR WORSENED INFECTION
    •EYE INJURY OR DAMAGE
    •CONTACT LENS USE

  • Prices with our coupons for Tobradex vs. Lotemax

    Learn more about Tobradex
    Learn more about Loteprednol

Browse medications

View All

Research prescriptions and over-the-counter medications from A to Z, compare drug prices, and start saving.