rxstat › Shortages › Dexamethasone Tobramycin

Dexamethasone Tobramycin (Tobradex) shortage status

Partial shortage

Source: Health Canada shortage reports · Updated Nov 5, 2026

Some Dexamethasone Tobramycin products are in shortage in Canada (1 of 2 reported products), while others remain available. Your pharmacy may be able to substitute an unaffected manufacturer. The latest estimate for affected products to return is Dec 9, 2026.

A combination of a corticosteroid and an antibiotic used to treat inflamed, infected eye conditions.

Products affected
1 / 2
Est. full return
Dec 9, 2026
Reports on file
8
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Pharmacists can substitute an unaffected manufacturer's version, adjust strengths, and in most provinces adapt or renew a prescription on the spot.
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Shortage history

2023 2024 2025 2026

Shortage history (red bands = periods in shortage).

Reports by product

The DIN is printed on your prescription label.

Active shortage
TOBRADEX
0.3% 0.1% · OINTMENT · NOVARTIS PHARMACEUTICALS CANADA INC
DIN 00778915 · since ?, est. end Dec 9, 2026 · Shortage of an active ingredient.
Resolved
TOBRADEX
0.1% 0.3% · OINTMENT · NOVARTIS PHARMACEUTICALS CANADA INC
DIN 00778915 · ended Aug 18, 2025 · Disruption of the manufacture of the drug.
Resolved
TOBRADEX
0.1% 0.3% · SUSPENSION · NOVARTIS PHARMACEUTICALS CANADA INC
DIN 00778907 · ended Aug 5, 2022 · Delay in shipping of the drug.
Resolved
TOBRADEX
0.1% 0.3% · OINTMENT · NOVARTIS PHARMACEUTICALS CANADA INC
DIN 00778915 · ended Feb 1, 2019 · Delay in shipping of the drug.
Resolved
TOBRADEX
0.1% 0.3% · OINTMENT · NOVARTIS PHARMACEUTICALS CANADA INC
DIN 00778915 · ended Oct 26, 2017 · Demand increase for the drug.
Resolved
TOBRADEX
0.1% 0.3% · SUSPENSION · NOVARTIS PHARMACEUTICALS CANADA INC
DIN 00778907 · ended Sep 13, 2017 · Demand increase for the drug.
Resolved
TOBRADEX
0.1% 0.3% · OINTMENT · NOVARTIS PHARMACEUTICALS CANADA INC
DIN 00778915 · ended Sep 12, 2017 · Demand increase for the drug.
Resolved
TOBRADEX
0.1% 0.3% · OINTMENT · NOVARTIS PHARMACEUTICALS CANADA INC
DIN 00778915 · ended Jul 10, 2017 · Delay in shipping of the drug.

What's happening

Dexamethasone Tobramycin is currently affected by an active shortage report filed with Health Canada by NOVARTIS PHARMACEUTICALS CANADA INC.

The reported cause is: shortage of an active ingredient. Manufacturers must report shortages, but end-date estimates are their own projections and often move.

If your usual product is affected, a pharmacist is the fastest route to a solution: they can dispense an unaffected manufacturer's equivalent when one exists, and in most provinces can adapt doses or substitute a therapeutic alternative without a new appointment.

Dexamethasone Tobramycin is classified under “ANTIINFLAMMATORY AGENTS AND ANTIINFECTIVES IN COMB” (ATC S01CA).

Recent changes

Common questions

What is Dexamethasone Tobramycin used for?

A combination of a corticosteroid and an antibiotic used to treat inflamed, infected eye conditions.

When will Dexamethasone Tobramycin be back in stock in Canada?

The latest manufacturer estimate is Dec 9, 2026. Estimates are self-reported and often slip; this page updates automatically when they change.

Why is Dexamethasone Tobramycin in shortage?

See the reports above; manufacturers must state a reason (most commonly manufacturing disruption or a surge in demand) when filing with Health Canada.

What can my pharmacist do about it?

Often quite a lot: substitute an equivalent product from an unaffected manufacturer, adjust quantities, or in most provinces adapt or renew prescriptions on the spot. Call your pharmacy before visiting, and call 811 for free health advice.

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Possible alternatives in the same class (antiinflammatory agents and antiinfectives in comb)

Drugs in the same therapeutic class, best-supplied first. These are not automatic substitutes: only your pharmacist or prescriber can judge whether a switch makes sense for you.

Guides: what to do when your medication is in shortage · how to read shortage reports

Data reflects reports manufacturers are legally required to file with Health Canada, republished with per-drug aggregation by rxstat. Estimated end dates are supplied by manufacturers and frequently change. This page describes drug supply only and is not medical advice; never stop or switch a medication without speaking to your pharmacist or prescriber.