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Nebcin vs. Erythromycin

Tobramycin is an antibiotic that's used to treat several types of bacterial infections. It used to be known as the brand name Nebcin, but is now only available under the generic name tobramycin. This medication is usually given as an intravenous or IV injection into the veins in the hospital or at your provider's office. While side effects aren't common, tobramycin has serious potential risks, such as hearing loss and kidney problems. To lower your risk, your provider will closely monitor your dosage, hearing, and kidney health and measure the level of tobramycin in your blood.

• Sepsis due to a bloodstream infection
• Lower respiratory tract infections (e.g., pneumonia, bronchitis)
• Brain and spinal cord infections (e.g., meningitis)
• Stomach infections
• Skin infections (e.g., cellulitis)
• Bone and joint infections
• Urinary tract infections (UTIs)

• See Other Side Effects.

• Risk of nervous system side effects and hearing loss
• Kidney problems
• Risk of harm to unborn babies
• Serious allergic reactions
• Diarrhea from Clostridioides difficile infection
• Development of drug-resistant bacteria

Erythromycin eye ointment is used to treat and prevent various bacterial eye infections, including pink eye in newborns. The typical dosage for this medication is to apply it in the affected eye(s) up to 6 times a day. Most people experience few to no side effects while using erythromycin eye ointment as directed.

• Bacterial eye infection
• To prevent pink eye (conjunctivitis) in newborns who might be exposed to certain sexually-transmitted infections (STIs) from their mothers during birth

• Mild eye irritations
• Eye redness

• Only use on eye surface
• New or worsened eye infections
• Allergic reaction to antibiotics