Key takeaways
TobraDex (tobramycin/dexamethasone) and Maxidex (dexamethasone) are both prescription eye medications, but they have some key differences. TobraDex is a combination of an antibiotic (tobramycin) and a corticosteroid (dexamethasone), making it effective for treating bacterial eye infections and reducing inflammation. Maxidex, on the other hand, contains only dexamethasone, a corticosteroid, and is used to treat eye inflammation, swelling, and irritation but not infections. TobraDex is available in both eye drops and ointment forms, while Maxidex is available only as eye drops. Additionally, TobraDex must be used multiple times a day and can raise eye pressure if used for more than 10 days, whereas Maxidex also requires frequent dosing and carries similar risks with long-term use, including glaucoma and cataracts. Maxidex can also be used for ear inflammation in its generic form, which is not an option for TobraDex. Both medications require careful handling to avoid contamination and should not be used for viral or fungal infections.
