From the Guidelines
For a 1-year-old with bacterial conjunctivitis, the recommended dose of tobramycin ophthalmic solution is typically 1-2 drops in the affected eye(s) every 4 hours while awake for 7-10 days, as supported by the most recent guidelines 1.
Key Considerations
- The preparation of tobramycin ophthalmic solution involves withdrawing 2 ml from an injectable vial of intravenous tobramycin (40 mg/ml) and adding it to a 5-ml bottle of tobramycin ophthalmic solution to achieve a 14 mg/ml solution 1.
- Before administering, it is essential to wash your hands thoroughly and gently clean any discharge from the eye with warm water.
- To apply, pull down the lower eyelid to form a pocket, instill the drops, and have the child keep their eyes closed for 1-2 minutes to allow absorption.
- Avoid touching the dropper tip to any surface to prevent contamination.
- Continue treatment for the full prescribed course even if symptoms improve within a few days.
- Tobramycin works by inhibiting bacterial protein synthesis, effectively killing the bacteria causing the infection.
- If symptoms worsen or don't improve after 48 hours, contact your healthcare provider as a different antibiotic may be needed.
Additional Guidance
- The use of tobramycin ophthalmic solution should be guided by the severity of the infection and the clinical response of the patient.
- In cases of severe infection, dosing may be increased to every 2 hours initially, then tapered as the infection improves.
- It is crucial to follow proper hygiene practices to prevent the spread of infection, especially in cases of epidemic adenoviral conjunctivitis 1.
- The ophthalmologist plays a critical role in breaking the chain of transmission of epidemic adenoviral conjunctivitis by educating the patient and family about proper hygiene practices 1.
From the FDA Drug Label
DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION: In mild to moderate disease, instill 1 or 2 drops into the affected eye(s) every 4 hours. In severe infections, instill 2 drops into the eye(s) hourly until improvement, following which treatment should be reduced prior to discontinuation. The recommended dose of tobramycin for a 1-year-old with bacterial conjunctivitis is:
- Mild to moderate disease: 1 or 2 drops into the affected eye(s) every 4 hours
- Severe infections: 2 drops into the eye(s) hourly until improvement 2
From the Research
Recommended Dose of Tobramycin for Bacterial Conjunctivitis in a 1-Year-Old
- The recommended dose of tobramycin for a 1-year-old with bacterial conjunctivitis is not explicitly stated in the provided studies, but we can look at the dosing regimens used in the studies for guidance.
- In the study by 3, 0.3% tobramycin ophthalmic solution was administered topically every 2 hours on days 1 and 2, followed by every 4 hours on days 3 through 7.
- In the study by 4, two formulations of tobramycin 0.3% eyedrops were compared: one given twice daily (BID) and the other given four times daily (QID) for 7 days.
- In the study by 5, the same comparison was made between the two formulations of tobramycin 0.3% eyedrops, with one given BID and the other given QID for 7 days.
Administration and Efficacy
- The studies suggest that tobramycin 0.3% ophthalmic solution is effective in treating bacterial conjunctivitis in children, including those around the age of 1 year 3, 4, 5.
- The efficacy of tobramycin in eradicating bacteria and resolving symptoms of conjunctivitis was similar across the different dosing regimens and formulations studied 4, 5.
- It is essential to note that the specific dosing regimen for a 1-year-old should be determined by a healthcare professional, taking into account the individual child's needs and the severity of the infection.