Dexamethasone, the corticosteroid component in Tobradex, is best described as which type of drug?

• A. Antibiotic
• B. Antiviral
• C. Antifungal
• D. Corticosteroid

Answer: (D)

Dexamethasone is a corticosteroid, a synthetic glucocorticoid. In Tobradex it provides the anti-inflammatory effect by dampening the body's inflammatory response in the eye. It works by blocking inflammatory mediators and pathways, notably inhibiting phospholipase A2, which lowers the production of prostaglandins and leukotrienes, and by stabilizing cell membranes to reduce vascular permeability and swelling. This helps reduce redness, swelling, and irritation. It’s not an antibiotic, antiviral, or antifungal—the antibiotic in Tobradex handles bacterial infections, while dexamethasone handles inflammation.