Microbiology

Tobramycin is an aminoglycoside antibiotic with activity against Gram-negative and certain Gram-positive bacteria.

Mechanism of Action

Tobramycin acts by inhibiting synthesis of protein in bacterial cells.  In vitro tests demonstrate that tobramycin is bactericidal.

Interactions with Other Antibiotics

Although most strains of enterococci demonstrate in vitro resistance, some strains in this group are susceptible.  In vitro studies have shown that an aminoglycoside combined with an antibiotic that interferes with cell-wall synthesis affects some enterococcal strains synergistically.  The combination of penicillin G and tobramycin results in a synergistic bactericidal effect in vitro against certain strains of Enterococcus faecalis.  However, this combination is not synergistic against other closely related organisms, e.g. Enterococcus faecium.  Speciation of enterococci alone cannot be used to predict susceptibility.  Susceptibility testing and tests for antibiotic synergism are emphasized.

Cross-Resistance

Cross-resistance between aminoglycosides may occur.

Antimicrobial Activity:

Tobramycin has been shown to be active against most strains of the following organisms both in vitro and in clinical infections: (see INDICATIONS AND USAGE).

Aerobic and facultative Gram-positive microorganisms

Staphylococcus aureus

Aerobic and facultative Gram-negative microorganisms

Citrobacter sp

Enterobacter sp

Escherichia coli

Klebsiella sp

Morganella morganii 

Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Proteus mirabilis

Proteus vulgaris

Providencia sp

Serratia sp

Aminoglycosides have a low order of activity against most Gram-positive organisms, including Streptococcus pyogenes, Streptococcus pneumoniae, and enterococci.

Susceptibility Tests

 For specific information regarding susceptibility test interpretive criteria and associated test methods and quality control standards recognized by FDA for this drug, please see: https://www.fda.gov/STIC.

General

Prescribing tobramycin in the absence of a proven or strongly suspected bacterial infection or a prophylactic indication is unlikely to provide benefit to the patient and increases the risk of the development of drug-resistant bacteria.

Serum and urine specimens for examination should be collected during therapy, as recommended in the WARNINGS box.  Serum calcium, magnesium, and sodium should be monitored.

Peak and trough serum levels should be measured periodically during therapy.  Prolonged concentrations above 12 mcg/mL should be avoided.  Rising trough levels (above 2 mcg/mL) may indicate tissue accumulation.  Such accumulation, advanced age, and cumulative dosage may contribute to ototoxicity and nephrotoxicity.  It is particularly important to monitor serum levels closely in patients with known renal impairment.

A useful guideline would be to perform serum level assays after 2 or 3 doses, so that the dosage could be adjusted if necessary, and also at 3- to 4-day intervals during therapy.  In the event of changing renal function, more frequent serum levels should be obtained and the dosage or dosage interval adjusted according to the guidelines provided in the DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION section.

In order to measure the peak level, a serum sample should be drawn about 30 minutes following intravenous infusion or 1 hour after an intramuscular injection.  Trough levels are measured by obtaining serum samples at 8 hours or just prior to the next dose of tobramycin.  These suggested time intervals are intended only as guidelines and may vary according to institutional practices.  It is important, however, that there be consistency within the individual patient program unless computerized pharmacokinetic dosing programs are available in the institution.  These serum-level assays may be especially useful for monitoring the treatment of severely ill patients with changing renal function or of those infected with less sensitive organisms or those receiving maximum dosage.

Neuromuscular blockade and respiratory paralysis have been reported in cats receiving very high doses of tobramycin (40 mg/kg).  The possibility of prolonged or secondary apnea should be considered if tobramycin is administered to anesthetized patients who are also receiving neuromuscular blocking agents, such as succinylcholine, tubocurarine, or decamethonium, or to patients receiving massive transfusions of citrated blood.  If neuromuscular blockade occurs, it may be reversed by the administration of calcium salts.

Cross-allergenicity among aminoglycosides has been demonstrated.

In patients with extensive burns or cystic fibrosis, altered pharmacokinetics may result in reduced serum concentrations of aminoglycosides.  In such patients treated with tobramycin, measurement of serum concentration is especially important as a basis for determination of appropriate dosage.

Elderly patients may have reduced renal function that may not be evident in the results of routine screening tests, such as BUN or serum creatinine.  A creatinine clearance determination may be more useful.  Monitoring of renal function during treatment with aminoglycosides is particularly important in such patients.

An increased incidence of nephrotoxicity has been reported following concomitant administration of aminoglycoside antibiotics and cephalosporins.

Aminoglycosides should be used with caution in patients with muscular disorders, such as myasthenia gravis or parkinsonism, since these drugs may aggravate muscle weakness because of their potential curare-like effect on neuromuscular function.

Aminoglycosides may be absorbed in significant quantities from body surfaces after local irrigation or application and may cause neurotoxicity and nephrotoxicity.

Aminoglycosides have not been approved for intraocular and/or subconjunctival use.  Physicians are advised that macular necrosis has been reported following administration of aminoglycosides, including tobramycin, by these routes.

See WARNINGS box regarding concurrent use of potent diuretics and concurrent and sequential use of other neurotoxic or nephrotoxic drugs.

The inactivation of tobramycin and other aminoglycosides by ß-lactam-type antibiotics (penicillins or cephalosporins) has been demonstrated in vitro and in patients with severe renal impairment.  Such inactivation has not been found in patients with normal renal function who have been given the drugs by separate routes of administration.

Therapy with tobramycin may result in overgrowth of nonsusceptible organisms.  If overgrowth of nonsusceptible organisms occurs, appropriate therapy should be initiated.

Pregnancy Category D

Aminoglycosides can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman.  Aminoglycoside antibiotics cross the placenta, and there have been several reports of total irreversible bilateral congenital deafness in children whose mothers received streptomycin during pregnancy.  Serious side effects to mother, fetus, or newborn have not been reported in the treatment of pregnant women with other aminoglycosides.  If tobramycin is used during pregnancy or if the patient becomes pregnant while taking tobramycin, she should be apprised of the potential hazard to the fetus.

Pediatric Use

See INDICATIONS AND USAGE and DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION.

Geriatric Use

Elderly patients may be at a higher risk of developing nephrotoxicity and ototoxicity while receiving tobramycin (see WARNINGS, PRECAUTIONS, and OVERDOSAGE).  Other factors that may contribute to nephrotoxicity and ototoxicity are rising trough levels, excessive peak concentrations, dehydration, concomitant use of other neurotoxic or nephrotoxic drugs, and cumulative dose.  Peak and trough serum levels should be measured periodically during therapy to assure adequate levels and to avoid potentially toxic levels (see WARNINGS and PRECAUTIONS).  Tobramycin is known to be substantially excreted by the kidney, and the risk of toxic reactions to this drug may be greater in patients with impaired renal function.  Dose reduction is required for patients with impaired renal function (see DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION).  Elderly patients may have reduced renal function that may not be evident in the results of routine screening tests, such as BUN or serum creatinine.  A creatinine clearance determination may be more useful.  Monitoring of renal function during treatment with aminoglycosides is particularly important in the elderly (see PRECAUTIONS).

Tobramycin 20 mg/2 mL vial contains 1.56 mg (0.068 mEq) of sodium.

Information for Patients

Patients should be counseled that antibacterial drugs including tobramycin should only be used to treat bacterial infections.  They do not treat viral infections (e.g., the common cold).  When an antibacterial drug product is prescribed to treat a bacterial infection, patients should be told that although it is common to feel better early in the course of therapy, the medication should be taken exactly as directed.  Skipping doses or not completing the full course of therapy may (1) decrease the effectiveness of the immediate treatment and (2) increase the likelihood that bacteria will develop resistance and will not be treatable by tobramycin or other antibacterial drugs in the future.

Diarrhea is a common problem caused by antibiotics, which usually ends when the antibiotic is discontinued. Sometimes after starting treatment with antibiotics, patients can develop watery and bloody stools (with or without stomach cramps and fever) even as late as two or more months after having taken the last dose of the antibiotic. If this occurs, patients should contact their physician as soon as possible.

Neurotoxicity

Adverse effects on both the vestibular and auditory branches of the eighth nerve have been noted, especially in patients receiving high doses or prolonged therapy, in those given previous courses of therapy with an ototoxin, and in cases of dehydration.  Symptoms include dizziness, vertigo, tinnitus, roaring in the ears, and hearing loss.  Hearing loss is usually irreversible and is manifested initially by diminution of high-tone acuity.  Tobramycin and gentamicin sulfates closely parallel each other in regard to ototoxic potential.

Nephrotoxicity

Renal function changes, as shown by rising BUN, NPN, and serum creatinine and by oliguria, cylindruria, and increased proteinuria, have been reported, especially in patients with a history of renal impairment who are treated for longer periods or with higher doses than those recommended.  Adverse renal effects can occur in patients with initially normal renal function.

Clinical studies and studies in experimental animals have been conducted to compare the nephrotoxic potential of tobramycin and gentamicin.  In some of the clinical studies and in the animal studies, tobramycin caused nephrotoxicity significantly less frequently than gentamicin.  In some other clinical studies, no significant difference in the incidence of nephrotoxicity between tobramycin and gentamicin was found.

Other reported adverse reactions possibly related to tobramycin sulfate include anemia, granulocytopenia, and thrombocytopenia; and fever, rash, exfoliative dermatitis, itching, urticaria, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headache, lethargy, pain at the injection site, mental confusion, and disorientation.  Laboratory abnormalities possibly related to tobramycin include increased serum transaminases (SGOT, SGPT); increased serum LDH and bilirubin; decreased serum calcium, magnesium, sodium, and potassium; and leukopenia, leukocytosis, and eosinophilia.

Signs and Symptoms

The severity of the signs and symptoms following a tobramycin overdose are dependent on the dose administered, the patient’s renal function, state of hydration, and age and whether or not other medications with similar toxicities are being administered concurrently.  Toxicity may occur in patients treated more than 10 days, in adults given more than 5 mg/kg/day, in pediatric patients given more than 7.5 mg/kg/day, or patients with reduced renal function whose dose has not been appropriately adjusted.

Nephrotoxicity following the parenteral administration of an aminoglycoside is most closely related to the area under the curve of the serum concentration versus time graph.  Nephrotoxicity is more likely if trough blood concentrations fail to fall below 2 mcg/mL and is also proportional to the average blood concentration.  Patients who are elderly, have abnormal renal function, are receiving other nephrotoxic drugs, or are volume depleted are at greater risk for developing acute tubular necrosis.  Auditory and vestibular toxicity has been associated with aminoglycoside overdose; these toxicities occur in patients treated longer than 10 days, in patients with abnormal renal function, in dehydrated patients, or in patients receiving medications with additive auditory toxicities.  These patients may not have signs or symptoms or may experience dizziness, tinnitus, vertigo, and a loss of high-tone acuity, as ototoxicity progresses.  Ototoxicity signs and symptoms may not begin to occur until long after the drug has been discontinued.

Neuromuscular blockade or respiratory paralysis may occur following administration of many aminoglycosides.  Neuromuscular blockade, respiratory failure, and prolonged respiratory paralysis may occur more commonly in patients with myasthenia gravis or Parkinson's disease.  Prolonged respiratory paralysis may also occur in patients receiving decamethonium, tubocurarine, or succinylcholine.  If neuromuscular blockade occurs, it may be reversed by the administration of calcium salts but mechanical assistance may be necessary.

If tobramycin were ingested, toxicity would be less likely because aminoglycosides are poorly absorbed from an intact gastrointestinal tract.

Treatment

In all cases of suspected overdosage, call your Regional Poison Control Center to obtain the most up-to-date information about the treatment of overdose.  This recommendation is made because, in general, information regarding the treatment of overdose may change more rapidly than the package insert.  In managing overdosage, consider the possibility of multiple drug overdoses, interaction among drugs, and unusual drug kinetics in your patient.

The initial intervention in a tobramycin overdose is to establish an airway and ensure oxygenation and ventilation.  Resuscitative measures should be initiated promptly if respiratory paralysis occurs.

Patients that have received an overdose of tobramycin and have normal renal function should be adequately hydrated to maintain a urine output of 3 to 5 mL/kg/hr.  Fluid balance, creatinine clearance, and tobramycin plasma levels should be carefully monitored until the serum tobramycin level falls below 2 mcg/mL.

Patients in whom the elimination half-life is greater than 2 hours or whose renal function is abnormal may require more aggressive therapy.  In such patients, hemodialysis may be beneficial.

Administration for Patients with Normal Renal Function

Adults with Serious Infections:  3 mg/kg/day in 3 equal doses every 8 hours (see Table 3).

Adults with Life-Threatening Infections:  Up to 5 mg/kg/day may be administered in 3 or 4 equal doses (see Table 3).  The dosage should be reduced to 3 mg/kg/day as soon as clinically indicated. To prevent increased toxicity due to excessive blood levels, dosage should not exceed 5 mg/kg/day unless serum levels are monitored (see WARNINGS box and PRECAUTIONS).

Table 3. 

DOSAGE SCHEDULE GUIDE FOR TOBRAMYCIN INJECTION, USP IN ADULTS WITH

NORMAL RENAL FUNCTION

(Dosage at 8-Hour Intervals) 

*Applicable to all product forms except Tobramycin Injection, USP, 10 mg/mL (Pediatric ).

Pediatric Patients (Greater Than 1 Week of Age):  6 to 7.5 mg/kg/day in 3 or 4 equally divided doses (2 to 2.5 mg/kg every 8 hours or 1.5 to 1.89 mg/kg every 6 hours).

Premature or Full-Term Neonates 1 Week of Age or Less:  Up to 4 mg/kg/day may be administered in 2 equal doses every 12 hours.

It is desirable to limit treatment to a short term.  The usual duration of treatment is 7 to 10 days.  A longer course of therapy may be necessary in difficult and complicated infections.  In such cases, monitoring of renal, auditory, and vestibular functions is advised, because neurotoxicity is more likely to occur when treatment is extended longer than 10 days.

Dosage in Patients with Cystic Fibrosis

In patients with cystic fibrosis, altered pharmacokinetics may result in reduced serum concentrations of aminoglycosides.  Measurement of tobramycin serum concentration during treatment is especially important as a basis for determining appropriate dose.  In patients with severe cystic fibrosis, an initial dosing regimen of 10 mg/kg/day in 4 equally divided doses is recommended.  This dosing regimen is suggested only as a guide.  The serum levels of tobramycin should be measured directly during treatment due to wide interpatient variability.

Administration for Patients with Impaired Renal Function

Whenever possible, serum tobramycin concentrations should be monitored during therapy.

Following a loading dose of 1 mg/kg, subsequent dosage in these patients must be adjusted, either with reduced doses administered at 8-hour intervals or with normal doses given at prolonged intervals.  Both of these methods are suggested as guides to be used when serum levels of tobramycin cannot be measured directly.  They are based on either the creatinine clearance or the serum creatinine of the patient, because these values correlate with the half-life of tobramycin.  The dosage schedules derived from either method should be used in conjunction with careful clinical and laboratory observations of the patient and should be modified as necessary.  Neither method should be used when dialysis is being performed.

Reduced Dosage at 8-hour Intervals — When the creatinine clearance rate is 70 mL or less per minute or when the serum creatinine value is known, the amount of the reduced dose can be determined by multiplying the normal dose from Table 3 by the percent of normal dose from the accompanying nomogram.

An alternate rough guide for determining reduced dosage at 8-hour intervals (for patients whose steady-state serum creatinine values are known) is to divide the normally recommended dose by the patient’s serum creatinine.

* Scales have been adjusted to facilitate dosage calculations.

Normal Dosage at Prolonged Intervals  —  If the creatinine clearance rate is not available and the patient’s condition is stable, a dosage frequency in hours for the dosage given in Table 3 can be determined by multiplying the patient’s serum creatinine by 6.

Dosage in Obese Patients

The appropriate dose may be calculated by using the patient’s estimated lean body weight plus 40% of the excess as the basic weight on which to figure mg/kg.

Intravenous Administration

For intravenous administration, the usual volume of diluent (0.9% Sodium Chloride Injection or 5% Dextrose Injection) is 50 to 100 mL for adult doses.  For pediatric patients, the volume of diluent should be proportionately less than for adults.  The diluted solution usually should be infused over a period of 20 to 60 minutes.  Infusion periods of less than 20 minutes are not recommended because peak serum levels may exceed 12 mcg/mL (see WARNINGS box).

Tobramycin Injection, USP should not be physically premixed with other drugs but should be administered separately according to the recommended dose and route.

Parenteral drug products should be inspected visually for particulate matter and discoloration prior to administration, whenever solution and container permit.