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Compare Tobradex vs. Vigamox

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

Key takeaways

TobraDex (tobramycin/dexamethasone) and Vigamox (moxifloxacin) are both prescription eye drops 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, Vigamox contains only moxifloxacin, a fluoroquinolone antibiotic, and is specifically used to treat bacterial conjunctivitis (pink eye). TobraDex is available in both eye drop and ointment forms, while Vigamox is only available as eye drops. You need to use TobraDex multiple times a day, and it requires shaking before use, whereas Vigamox is used three times a day without shaking. Both medications are available in generic forms, making them more affordable. However, TobraDex has a higher risk of increasing eye pressure and causing cataracts with long-term use, while Vigamox can cause eye discomfort and should not be used if you have a severe allergy to fluoroquinolones.

  • Tobradex (tobramycin / dexamethasone)
    Moxifloxacin (Vigamox)
  • Tobradex (tobramycin / dexamethasone)
    Moxifloxacin (Vigamox)

  • Summary of Tobradex vs. Vigamox

    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 Fluoroquinolone antibiotic
    Prescription only

    Moxifloxacin (Vigamox) is a fluoroquinolone antibiotic that treats bacterial conjunctivitis (pink eye) in people of all ages. It's an eye drop that's placed in the affected eye(s) 3 times per day for 7 days. Side effects aren't common but can include dry eye, eye pain, eye redness, and itchy eyes. This medication is available as a brand-name and generic version.

  • Indications of Tobradex vs. Vigamox

    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
    •Bacterial conjunctivitis (pink eye)

  • Pros and Cons of Tobradex vs. Vigamox

    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 Fluoroquinolone antibiotic
    Pros
    •Can typically start to improve symptoms in a few days
    •Generally used less often during the day than alternatives
    •Safe to use in children and infants
    •Available as a lower-cost generic
    Cons
    •Need to use 3 times a day
    •Can cause eye discomfort
    •Might be difficult for some people to use properly

  • Common Side Effects of Tobradex vs. Vigamox

    Common Side Effects for
    •Eye irritation
    •Eye redness
    •Itchy eyelids
    •Swollen eyelids
    Common Side Effects for
    •Eye inflammation or redness (up to 6%)
    •Blurry vision (up to 6%)
    •Dry eye (up to 6%)
    •Eye irritation, pain, or itching (up to 6%)
    •Watery eye (up to 6%)

  • Warnings of Tobradex vs. Vigamox

    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
    •For use in the eye only
    •Risk of developing new infection
    •Don't wear contact lenses
    •Severe allergic reaction

  • Prices with our coupons for Tobradex vs. Vigamox

    Learn more about Tobradex
    Learn more about Moxifloxacin

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