Skip to main content
HomeDrug Comparisons
Drug bottle and Pill

Compare Tobradex vs. Maxidex

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

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.

  • Tobradex (tobramycin / dexamethasone)
    Dexamethasone (Maxidex)
  • Tobradex (tobramycin / dexamethasone)
    Dexamethasone (Maxidex)

  • Summary of Tobradex vs. Maxidex

    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

    Dexamethasone (Maxidex) is an eye drop that helps treat eye inflammation, swelling, and irritation. The generic formulation of the medication can also be used in the ear for ear inflammation.

  • Indications of Tobradex vs. Maxidex

    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
    •Eye inflammation - all formulations of dexamethasone 0.1% drops
    •Ear inflammation - generic dexamethasone 0.1% solution only

  • Pros and Cons of Tobradex vs. Maxidex

    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
    •Treats a variety of inflammatory conditions in the eyes and ears
    •Dexamethasone 0.1% solution is available as a lower-cost generic
    •Not many side effects since the medication is placed directly into the eyes or ears
    Cons
    •Won't treat eye or ear infections
    •Need to use multiple times per day
    •Might be difficult for some people to use properly

  • Common Side Effects of Tobradex vs. Maxidex

    Common Side Effects for
    •Eye irritation
    •Eye redness
    •Itchy eyelids
    •Swollen eyelids
    Common Side Effects for

    When used for eye inflammation:

    •Eye discomfort (10%)
    •Eye irritation (1%)

  • Warnings of Tobradex vs. Maxidex

    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
    •Eye problems, eye infections, and slow healing (when used in the eye)
    •Damage to contact lenses (when used in the eye)
    •Severe allergic reaction

  • Prices with our coupons for Tobradex vs. Maxidex

    Learn more about Tobradex
    Learn more about Dexamethasone

Browse medications

View All

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