Two medicines, side by side
Tobramycin vs gentamicin
Tobramycin and gentamicin are both labeled for bacterial infections. Drugs@FDA records approvals of tobramycin since 1975 and of gentamicin since 1970. Pharmacies paid $1.08 per mL (Tobramycin 300 mg/5 mL ampule) and $1.30 per mL (Gentamicin 80 mg/2 mL vial) (NADAC, October 7, 2026); the strengths differ, so the two prices are not like for like.
Check it at the source: the tobramycin FDA label on DailyMed (effective November 1, 2023); the gentamicin FDA label on DailyMed (effective July 22, 2024).
Highlights of the tobramycin record
Tobramycin (Tobi) · label of November 1, 2023
Used for
From the label: indicationsTobramycin ophthalmic solution, 0.3% is a topical antibiotic indicated in the treatment of external infections of the eye and its adnexa caused by susceptible bacteria. Appropriate monitoring of bacterial response to topical antibiotic therapy should accompany the use of tobramycin ophthalmic solution. Clinical studies have shown tobramycin to be safe and effective for use in children.
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- June 11, 1975
- Generic labelers
- 40 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $1.08 per mL
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- A presentation being discontinued
- Recalls
- 8
Highlights of the gentamicin record
Gentamicin (Garamycin) · label of July 22, 2024
Used for
From the label: indicationsGentamicin sulfate ophthalmic solution is indicated in the topical treatment of ocular bacterial infections including conjunctivitis, keratitis, keratoconjunctivitis, corneal ulcers, blepharitis, blepharoconjunctivitis, acute meibomianitis, and dacryocystitis, caused by susceptible strains of the following microorganisms: Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Streptococcus pyogenes, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Enterobacter aerogenes, Escherichia coli, Haemophilus influenzae, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Serratia marcescens. […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- June 19, 1970
- Generic labelers
- 24 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $1.30 per mL
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 9
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Tobramycin label of November 1, 2023, Gentamicin label of July 22, 2024); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do tobramycin and gentamicin differ on the record?
Both are in FDA's class aminoglycoside antibacterials.
Generics: tobramycin since 1976; gentamicin since 1966 (Drugs@FDA).
| Tobramycin | Gentamicin | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Bacterial infections, Urinary tract infections | Bacterial infections |
| Pharmacologic class | Aminoglycoside Antibacterial | Aminoglycoside Antibacterial |
| How it works (label) | n/a | n/a |
| Half-life (label) | n/a | n/a |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | June 11, 1975 | June 19, 1970 |
| First generic approved | October 1, 1976 | March 15, 1966 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 40 labelers | 24 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $1.08 per mL (Tobramycin 300 mg/5 mL ampule) | $1.30 per mL (Gentamicin 80 mg/2 mL vial) |
| 12-month price change | -26% | -21% |
| Boxed warning | No | No |
| Shortage now | A presentation being discontinued | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 8 | 9 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 24,368 | 15,709 |
| DEA schedule | none | none |
Source: Drugs@FDA, FDA NDC Directory, CMS NADAC of October 7, 2026, FDA shortages and recalls, FAERS via openFDA (FDA files October 8, 2026)
What next?
- Alternatives to tobramycin
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions