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Vigamox vs. Tobradex

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

Key takeaways

Moxifloxacin (Vigamox) and Tobradex (tobramycin/dexamethasone) are both prescription eye medications, but they have different uses and components. Moxifloxacin (Vigamox) is a fluoroquinolone antibiotic used to treat bacterial conjunctivitis (pink eye) and is available in both brand-name and generic forms. It works by blocking proteins that bacteria need to grow and survive. You need to use it three times a day for seven days. Common side effects include dry eye, eye pain, and redness. On the other hand, Tobradex (tobramycin/dexamethasone) is a combination of an aminoglycoside antibiotic and a corticosteroid. It treats bacterial eye infections and reduces inflammation. Tobradex is available as eye drops and ointment, and you typically use it every 4 to 6 hours.Tobradex is also availible in a generic form. It can raise eye pressure if used for more than 10 days and may cause side effects like eye irritation and swollen eyelids. Unlike Moxifloxacin, Tobradex also helps with eye inflammation, making it useful for conditions where both infection and inflammation are present.

Moxifloxacin

(Vigamox)

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TobraDex

(tobramycin / dexamethasone)

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Summary for Vigamox

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 for Vigamox

Pros and Cons for Vigamox

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 for Vigamox

  • 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 for Vigamox

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

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

Prices with our coupons for Vigamox vs. Tobradex

Price Card Drug Icon
Moxifloxacin1 eye dropper / 3ml of 0.5%
$16.48$213.86
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Price Card Drug Icon
Tobramycin/Dexamethasone1 eye dropper / 5ml of 0.3%/0.1%
$28.07$50.26
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