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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)

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Loteprednol

(Lotemax)

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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 Lotemax

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 for Lotemax

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

Pros and Cons for Lotemax

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 for Lotemax

  • Blurry vision
  • Burning after placing the drops into the eye
  • Itching
  • Feeling like there's something in your eye

Warnings for Lotemax

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

Prices with our coupons for Tobradex vs. Lotemax

Price Card Drug Icon
Tobramycin/Dexamethasone1 eye dropper / 5ml of 0.3%/0.1%
$28.07$50.26
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Price Card Drug Icon
Loteprednol1 eye dropper / 5ml of 0.5%
$61.52$197.01
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