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Gentamicin
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Description
Gentamicin is an aminoglycoside antibiotic that fights against bacteria. It is available in different dosage forms such as injection, cream, lotion, eye drops and ear drops. Gentamicin injection is used to treat a variety of bacterial infections of the lungs, skin, abdomen, blood, brain, urinary tract, bones and joints. The bacterial skin infections can be treated using gentamicin topical forms like cream and lotion. Gentamicin eye drops and ear drops are used to treat eye and ear infections caused by bacteria. Gentamicin is not effective against infections caused by viruses.
Common side effects of Gentamicin are pain at the injection site, skin rash, headache, weakness, and dizziness. Do not use this medicine if you are previously allergic to it. High doses of this medicine may cause damage to your hearing, sense of balance, and kidneys. Perform your kidney function and hearing tests during treatment.
Once an antibiotic is started, it is always recommended to finish the entire course of treatment. Gentamicin should only be used to treat or prevent infections that are caused by bacteria. Using an antibiotic when it is not required can make it less effective for future infections.
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Side effects
Major & minor side effects for Gentamicin
Stomach pain
Headache
Blurred vision
Decrease in frequency of urination
Hearing loss
Dizziness when getting up suddenly from a sitting position
Dry mouth
Fast heartbeat
Itching or rash
Increased salivation
Depression
Pain at the injection site
Drowsiness
Uses of Gentamicin
What is it prescribed for?
Bacteremia
Bacteremia is the presence of bacteria in the blood. Bacteria can sometimes enter your bloodstream from dental or medical procedures, or from infections. If this condition left untreated it can lead to septicemia which is an infection of the blood caused by bacteria. Gentamicin is used for the treatment of bacteremia.
Intra-abdominal Infection
Intra-abdominal infection (IAI) describes a number of infections such as peritonitis (swelling of the peritoneum-lining of the abdominal wall), pancreatitis (swelling of the pancreas- an organ located behind the lower part of the stomach), diverticulitis (swelling of diverticula- one or more small pouches in the intestine), cholecystitis (swelling of the gallbladder-a small digestive organ that sits just under the liver), and cholangitis (swelling of the bile duct system). Gentamicin is used to treat infections occurring within the abdomen caused by bacteria.
Bacterial Meningitis
Bacterial meningitis is an infection of the meninges, the protective layer that surrounds the brain and spinal cord. It starts when bacteria get into your bloodstream and travel to your brain and spinal cord. Gentamicin is used to treat bacterial meningitis.
Bone and joint infections
Bone and joint infections occur in the bones and joints. Osteomyelitis is an infection of the bone and septic arthritis is an infection in a joint. These infections can occur due to a bone/joint injury or through blood by which bacteria, virus, or fungi invade a bone/joint. Gentamicin is used for the treatment of osteomyelitis and septic arthritis caused by bacteria.
Skin and soft tissue infections
Skin and soft tissue infections occur when the bacteria invade the skin and its supporting structures. Gentamicin is used to treat all skin infections including abscess caused by bacteria.
Urinary tract infections
An infection in any part of your urinary system- the kidneys, bladder, ureters, or urethra is called urinary tract infections (UTIs). UTIs are the most common infections in humans and woman are at greater risk of getting this infection. UTI's can occur as complicated or uncomplicated urinary tract infections.
Complicated UTI's are caused by multidrug-resistant bacteria (the bacteria may become non-responsive to more than one antibiotic) and can occur due to structural and functional abnormalities of the urinary tract. Uncomplicated urinary tract infection is an infection of the urinary tract in a healthy individual with a normal and functional urinary tract and no known reasons to develop a UTI. Gentamicin is used to treat complicated and uncomplicated urinary tract infections caused by bacteria.
Bacterial skin infections
Bacteria enters into the skin through cuts or scratches causing bacterial skin infections such as cellulitis, impetigo, folliculitis, etc. Gentamicin topical (for use on the skin) is used to treat bacterial skin infections that are characterised by redness, warmth, swelling, itching and irritation of the skin.
Bacterial eye infections
Gentamicin eye drops are used to treat bacterial eye infections mainly the infection affecting the conjunctiva (a clear tissue covering the white part of your eye and lines the inside of the eyelid) called conjunctivitis or pink eye. It is also used to treat keratitis, a condition of swelling of the cornea (a transparent layer of tissue at the front of the eye) caused by bacteria. Gentamicin eye drops uses are proven to be safe and effective in treating eye infections.
Bacterial Ear Infections
Gentamicin ear drops are used to treat bacterial ear infections mainly Otitis Externa or Swimmer’s ear, an infection in the ear canal, which connects the outside of the ear to the eardrum.
Community-Acquired Pneumonia
Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) refers to pneumonia (lung infection) that is acquired outside the hospital. CAP can be bacterial or viral. Gentamicin is used to treat CAP caused by bacteria like Mycoplasma pneumonia, Streptococcus pneumonia, Haemophilus influenzae, etc.
Concerns
Commonly asked questions
Onset of action
Injection- The effect of gentamicin inj starts immediately after the administration. You will start to feel better in 3 to 5 days after receiving this medicine. Topical forms- You will start to feel better in 3 to 5 days after using gentamicin topical forms. But finish your entire course of treatment, even if the condition gets better.Duration of effect
The effect of gentamicin lasts for an average duration of 6 to 8 hours.Safe with alcohol?
Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.Is it habit forming?
No habit-forming tendency has been reported for Gentamicin.Usage in pregnancy?
Gentamicin should not be used during pregnancy unless there are no safer options. The use of gentamicin in pregnant women caused some babies to have birth defects. However, in some serious conditions, your doctor may recommend this medicine if the benefit is greater than the risk of harm to the baby.Usage while breast-feeding?
It is best to be cautious before using Gentamicin while breastfeeding because it is not known whether this medicine crosses into human milk. Hence it should only be used if the benefit is greater than the risk of harm to the baby. If used, the baby should be observed for symptoms such as diarrhoea and yeast infection.
Allergy
Avoid using Gentamicin if you are previously allergic to it. Some patients may get allergic reactions to this medicine. Seek immediate medical attention if you notice any symptoms of allergic reactions such as skin rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, breathing difficulties, etc.
Warnings for special population
Pregnancy
Gentamicin should not be used during pregnancy unless there are no safer options. The use of gentamicin in pregnant women caused some babies to have birth defects. However, in some serious conditions, your doctor may recommend this medicine if the benefit is greater than the risk of harm to the baby.
Breast-feeding
It is best to be cautious before using Gentamicin while breastfeeding because it is not known whether this medicine crosses into human milk. Hence it should only be used if the benefit is greater than the risk of harm to the baby. If used, the baby should be observed for symptoms such as diarrhoea and yeast infection.
General warnings
Hearing loss and kidney damage
High doses of gentamicin may cause damage to your hearing, sense of balance, and kidneys. Perform your kidney function and hearing tests during treatment.
Contact lens
Do not wear contact lenses when you are using gentamicin eye drops for treating an eye infection.
Driving or operating machinery
Gentamicin eye drops may cause short term blurring of vision, burning sensation or discomfort in the eyes when it is used. You should be cautious about these symptoms before driving a vehicle or operating machinery.
Antibiotic resistance
The entire course of treatment with gentamicin should be completed, even if the condition gets better to avoid antibiotic resistance.
Missed Dose
Injection: Since gentamicin injection is administered in the hospital or clinical setting by a qualified healthcare professional, the likelihood of a missed dose is very low.
Topical forms: Try not to skip a dose of gentamicin topical forms. And if a dose is skipped, do not add it up to the next dose.
Overdose
Injection: Since gentamicin injection is administered in the hospital or clinical setting by a qualified healthcare professional, the likelihood of an overdose is very low. However, emergency medical treatment will be initiated by the doctor if an overdose is suspected.
Topical forms: Seek emergency medical attention in case of an overdose with gentamicin eye drops.
All drugs interact differently for person to person. You should check all the possible interactions with your doctor before starting any medicine.
Interaction with Alcohol
Description
Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
Instructions
Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
Interaction with Medicine
Furosemide
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
Cephalosporins
Disease interactions
Disease
Information not available.
Food interactions
Information not available.
Lab interactions
Information not available.
Parenteral forms: Gentamicin injectables should be administered by a qualified healthcare professional in the clinical or hospital setting. Report any undesirable side effects to the doctor promptly.
Cream and Lotion: Apply a thin layer of gentamicin cream to the affected area as instructed by the doctor. Finish your entire course of treatment even if your symptoms begin to clear up after a few days.
Ear Drops: Gentamicin ear drops is for external use only. Do not use it in the eye. Administer it as directed by the doctor. Use this ear drop only for the treatment of bacterial ear infections.
Eye Drops: Gentamicin eye drops is for external use only. Administer it as directed by the doctor. Do not touch your eyes with unwashed hands. Avoid sharing items like eyeglasses, contact lenses, pillows, towels, clothes, eye or face makeup when you are infected. Use this eye drop at around the same time daily for the ease of remembering. Ensure that the treatment course is completed.
Miscelleneous
How it works
Gentamicin works by preventing the formation of bacterial cell walls. This helps in stopping the growth and multiplication of the microorganism, eventually killing it.
Legal Status
Classification
Category
Aminoglycosides, Antibiotics
Schedule
Schedule H
Medicines.org.uk. 2021. Gentamicin 10mg/ml Solution for Injection or Infusion - Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC) - (emc). [online] Available at: < [Accessed 19 February 2021].
Drugs, H., 2021. Gentamicin Injection: MedlinePlus Drug Information. [online] Medlineplus.gov. Available at: < [Accessed 19 February 2021].
Dailymed.nlm.nih.gov. 2021. DailyMed - GENTAMICIN- gentamicin sulfate injection, solution. [online] Available at: < [Accessed 19 February 2021].
Pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. 2021. Gentamicin. [online] Available at: < [Accessed 19 February 2021].
Go.drugbank.com. 2021. Gentamicin | DrugBank Online. [online] Available at: < [Accessed 19 February 2021].
Medicines.org.uk. 2021. Gentamicin Eye/Ear Drops 0.3% w/v - Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC) - (emc). [online] Available at: < [Accessed 19 February 2021].
Accessdata.fda.gov. 2021. [online] Available at: < [Accessed 19 February 2021].
Information on this page was last updated on 6 Apr 2021
Disclaimer
We’ve made all possible efforts to ensure that the information provided here is accurate, up-to-date and complete, however, it should not be treated as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Practo only provides reference source for common information on medicines and does not guarantee its accuracy or exhaustiveness. The absence of a warning for any drug or combination thereof, should not be assumed to indicate that the drug or combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for any given patient. Practo does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information provided above. If you have any doubts about your medication then we strongly recommend that you consult with your doctor, nurse or healthcare provider. See detailed T&C here.