Tobrex in Spain: Tobramycin Eye Drops and Ointment
Medically Reviewed by Dr. Pedro Yelamo Vera, MD
Licensed Physician No. 484814280 · Official Medical College of Bizkaia (Spain)Last reviewed: 29 October 2026
Tobrex is tobramycin eye drops and ointment for bacterial eye infections. Prescription-only in Spain; why it won't help viral pink eye, and red flags.
You don't have to figure this out alone
Dr. Pedro Yelamo Vera is an independent, bilingual GP licensed in Spain. Book a 15-minute video consultation in English or Spanish for €50, with a private electronic prescription issued under Spanish law when clinically appropriate.
Tobrex is the Spanish brand of tobramycin eye drops and eye ointment. Tobramycin is an antibiotic that treats bacterial infections on the surface of the eye, such as bacterial conjunctivitis. In Spain both forms need a prescription. They do nothing for viral or allergic pink eye. Tobradex is a different product that adds a steroid.
- Tobrex (tobramycin) treats bacterial eye infections. It comes as drops and as an ointment.
- It needs a prescription in Spain. It can be used from the age of 1.
- Most pink eye is viral or allergic, and antibiotic drops do not help those.
- Eye pain, light hurting your eyes or worse sight need an urgent in-person check.
Dr. Pedro Yelamo Vera is a GP licensed in Spain (Colegiado No. 484814280).
For a medical emergency, call 112 or go to the nearest local emergency department. Do not wait for a video consultation or an online reply.
What is Tobrex used for?
Tobrex kills bacteria on the front of the eye. Doctors use it for bacterial conjunctivitis and other surface infections. A bacterial eye often has thick yellow or green discharge. The lids may stick together in the morning. It comes in two forms:
- Eye drops (colirio en solución), in a small bottle.
- Eye ointment (pomada oftálmica), often used at night. It blurs your sight for a while.
The doctor and the leaflet set how often to use it and for how long. Finish the course you were given. Throw the bottle away four weeks after you first open it, to avoid germs growing in it.
Will antibiotic drops help my pink eye?
Only if bacteria are the cause. Pink eye has three main causes, and they look a little different.
| Type | Typical signs | Do antibiotic drops help? |
|---|---|---|
| Bacterial | Thick yellow or green discharge, sticky lids | Yes, if a doctor thinks it is needed |
| Viral | Watery, gritty, red eye, often with a cold | No |
| Allergic | Itchy, watery eyes in both eyes, with hay fever | No. Allergy drops or tablets help |
Many mild bacterial cases clear on their own. Using antibiotics when they are not needed adds side effects and helps germs resist them. Our pink eye guide explains how a doctor tells them apart.
Do you need a prescription for Tobrex in Spain?
Yes. The AEMPS CIMA database lists Tobrex drops and Tobrex ointment as prescription-only. The same goes for antibiotic eye drops in general in Spain. Our prescription status guide lists other common medicines.
Is Tobrex the same as UK or US eye drops?
Tobrex is also a brand name in the US for tobramycin eye drops and ointment. In the UK, chloramphenicol drops are the more familiar antibiotic for the eye. They are a different antibiotic.
| Name | What it is | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Tobrex | Tobramycin drops or ointment | Spain, US |
| Tobradex | Tobramycin + dexamethasone (a steroid) | Spain, US |
| Chloramphenicol drops | A different antibiotic | UK, Spain |
What is the difference between Tobrex and Tobradex?
Tobradex adds dexamethasone, a steroid, to tobramycin. It is also prescription-only. It is for eye inflammation where there is, or may be, an infection. It is also used after cataract surgery. A steroid must never go into an eye with a viral infection such as herpes, or a fungal one. Long use can raise eye pressure and cause cataracts. Only use Tobradex when an eye doctor or GP has chosen it for you.
Red, sticky eye and not sure you need drops?
You can book a video visit with a GP licensed in Spain, in English or Spanish. He looks at your eye on camera and tells you whether it needs an antibiotic.
Contact lenses and Tobrex
- Do not wear contact lenses while you have an eye infection.
- The drops contain benzalkonium chloride. It can stain soft lenses and irritate dry eyes.
- Lens wearers with a red, painful eye need a check soon. A lens infection can harm the cornea.
- Leave a few minutes between different eye drops. Put any ointment in last.
Tell your doctor if you have myasthenia gravis or Parkinson's disease, or take another antibiotic. In pregnancy, it is used only if a doctor feels it is clearly needed.
What Tobrex does not treat
- Viral pink eye, which usually clears by itself.
- Allergic pink eye. It needs allergy treatment.
- Dry eye and simple irritation.
- A stye. Most clear with warm compresses and do not need antibiotic drops.
See our pages on pink eye and styes, and our stye treatment guide.
Side effects and red flags
The most common side effects are eye discomfort and redness. Some people get itching, swollen lids, watering or blurred sight. Stop and ask a doctor if your eye or skin gets itchy, swollen or a rash appears. That may be an allergy. Get an urgent in-person check if you have:
- Real eye pain, not just grittiness.
- Light that hurts your eyes.
- Blurred or lost sight that does not clear when you blink.
- A red eye after a chemical splash or something hitting the eye.
- A red, sticky eye in a baby under one month old.
- No better after a few days, or worse at any time.
Call 112 or go to an emergency department for sudden loss of sight, a serious eye injury, or swelling of the face with trouble breathing.
Talking it through with a doctor by video
Dr. Yelamo is a GP licensed in Spain. He sees adults, children and pregnant patients by video, every day from 07:30 to 20:30 (Spain time). In the visit he will:
- Look at your eye on camera and ask about discharge, itch and pain.
- Tell you whether it looks bacterial, viral or allergic.
- Check for warning signs that need an eye exam in person.
- Explain eye care, contact lens rules and when you can go back to work or school.
He does not promise any test or prescription before the visit. Where clinically appropriate, following a genuine evaluation. Treatment and prescriptions are issued solely at the doctor's discretion based on evidence-based clinical guidelines.
A prescription is never guaranteed: it is issued only where clinically appropriate after a genuine evaluation, as a private electronic prescription under Spanish law. This service is for urgent, non-emergency care. In an emergency, call 112.
See how the Urgent Care video visit works. It lasts 15 minutes and costs €50.
This guide is general information. It does not replace the package leaflet or the advice of your doctor or pharmacist.
Frequently asked questions
What is Tobrex?
The brand name of tobramycin eye drops and eye ointment. Tobramycin is an antibiotic for bacterial infections of the eye surface.
Can I buy Tobrex without a prescription in Spain?
No. Both the drops and the ointment are prescription-only in Spain, like other antibiotic eye drops.
Does Tobrex work for viral pink eye?
No. Antibiotics only act on bacteria. Viral and allergic pink eye need different care, and viral pink eye usually clears by itself.
What is the difference between Tobrex and Tobradex?
Tobradex adds dexamethasone, a steroid. It is for eye inflammation with a risk of infection and must not be used for viral eye infections.
Can I wear contact lenses while using Tobrex?
No. Do not wear lenses while you have an eye infection. The drops can also stain soft lenses.
When is a red eye an emergency?
Eye pain, light that hurts, or worse sight need an urgent in-person check. Call 112 for sudden loss of sight or a serious eye injury.
Sources
- AEMPS CIMA: Tobrex eye drops package leaflet
- AEMPS CIMA: Tobradex package leaflet
- MedlinePlus: Tobramycin ophthalmic
- NHS: Conjunctivitis
Related guides
Medical Citations & Sources
This content is written and reviewed by a licensed physician with reference to the following official health authorities.
