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Streptomycin

Description

Streptomycin is an aminoglycoside antibiotic. It is used for the treatment of tuberculosis and other bacterial infections that affect the heart, brain, etc. It works by preventing the formation of bacterial proteins essential for their cell growth and thereby kills the infection-causing bacteria. Streptomycin may cause some common side effects such as skin rash, nausea, vomiting, vertigo (sudden spinning sensation in the head), etc. Consult your doctor if these symptoms persist or if they become severe. Streptomycin is administered by your doctor in a clinic or a hospital setting. The dose and duration of the treatment will depend on your condition. Not completing the full course of therapy may result in decreased effectiveness of the medicine or increased risk of re-infection that would be difficult to treat in the future. This medication is effective only for the treatment of infections caused by bacteria and not viruses. Streptomycin is not recommended if you are allergic to it. Inform your doctor if you have any hearing and kidney problems before starting the treatment with this medicine. Consult your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Side effects

Major & minor side effects for Streptomycin

Nausea and Vomiting

Vertigo (Sudden spinning sensation in head)

Rash

Fever

Deafness

Low blood cell count

Muscle weakness

Uses of Streptomycin

What is it prescribed for?

Tuberculosis

Tuberculosis (TB) is a bacterial infection caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. This infection mainly affects the lungs, but can also affect other parts of your body. TB is spread through tiny droplets which are released when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Symptoms include cough with/without blood, weight loss, night sweats, and fever. Streptomycin is used for the treatment of tuberculosis.

Tularaemia

Tularaemia is a rare bacterial infection caused by the bacterium Francisella tularensis. Also known as rabbit fever, this infection typically affects the skin, eyes, lymph nodes, and lungs. Tularemia is highly contagious and spreads to humans through direct exposure to an infected animal. Streptomycin is used for the treatment of tularaemia.

Bacterial endocarditis

Bacterial endocarditis is a condition in which there is swelling of the endocardium, the inner lining of your heart's chambers, and valves. Symptoms may include chest pain, shortness of breath, fatigue, fever with chills, joint and muscle pain, swelling of legs and feet, etc. Streptomycin is used for the treatment of bacterial endocarditis.

Bacterial Meningitis

Meningitis is the swelling of the membranes of your brain and spinal cord due to an infection. Symptoms may include fever, headache, nausea/vomiting, stiff neck, altered mental status, photophobia (eye sensitivity to light), etc. Streptomycin is used in the treatment of bacterial meningitis.

Plague

Plague is a bacterial infection caused by Yersinia pestis. It spreads through the bite of infected fleas (wingless insects), through direct contact, or by inhalation. In severe form, it may lead to septicaemic plague (blood infection that spreads throughout the body) and/or pneumonic plague (infecting the lungs). Streptomycin is used in the prevention and treatment of plague.
Concerns

Commonly asked questions

  • Onset of action

    The time required for Streptomycin to show its action is within one hour.
  • Duration of effect

    The effect of Streptomycin lasts for an average duration of about 15 hours after administration.
  • Safe with alcohol?

    Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
  • Is it habit forming?

    No habit-forming tendencies have been reported with Streptomycin.
  • Usage in pregnancy?

    Streptomycin is not recommended during pregnancy unless absolutely necessary. If you are pregnant, consult your doctor.
  • Usage while breast-feeding?

    Streptomycin may pass into the breastmilk in small amounts. If you are breastfeeding, consult your doctor to understand the potential benefits and risks. It may cause diarrhoea and diaper rash in your baby.

Allergy

Avoid taking Streptomycin if you are allergic to it. Seek immediate medical attention if you notice any symptoms of allergic reactions such as skin rash, itching/swelling (especially of your face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, breathing difficulty, etc.

Warnings for special population

Pregnancy

Streptomycin is not recommended during pregnancy unless absolutely necessary. If you are pregnant, consult your doctor.

Breast-feeding

Streptomycin may pass into the breastmilk in small amounts. If you are breastfeeding, consult your doctor to understand the potential benefits and risks. It may cause diarrhoea and diaper rash in your baby.

General warnings

Antibiotic resistance

Antibiotic resistance is a condition in which the antibiotic is not effective against the bacteria. This can be avoided by following the dose and duration of Streptomycin as prescribed by your doctor. Finish the entire course of treatment even if your symptoms get better. Alternatively, if your symptoms do not get better even after the prescribed duration, consult your doctor.

Route of administation

Streptomycin should be administered through the intramuscular route only.

Neuromuscular disorders

Streptomycin is not recommended for use if you have pre-existing neuromuscular diseases such as myasthenia gravis (skeletal muscle weakness), parkinsonism (a condition that affects walking, balance, and coordination) since it may worsen your condition.

Missed Dose

Since Streptomycin is given by a qualified healthcare professional in the clinic/hospital setting, the likelihood of a missed dose is very low.

Overdose

Since Streptomycin is given in the hospital or clinical setting by a qualified healthcare professional, the likelihood of an overdose is very low.
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

Live vaccines

Neuromuscular blockers

Tacrolimus

Ethinyl Estradiol

Colistimethate

Disease interactions

Dehydration

Consume an adequate amount of water and fluids to reduce the risk of hearing problems and kidney damage associated with Streptomycin. Fluid status should be monitored closely if you experience severe diarrhoea and vomiting. Appropriate dose adjustments may be required based on your clinical condition.

Hearing loss

Streptomycin may increase your risk of hearing problems. Treatment with this medicine should be used with caution if you have any pre-existing hearing problems due to the increased risk of worsening your condition. Consume an adequate amount of water and fluids to reduce your risk of hearing problems.

Kidney impairment

Streptomycin may increase your risk of kidney damage. This medicine should be used with caution if you have any pre-existing kidney problems due to the increased risk of worsening your condition. Consume an adequate amount of water and fluids to reduce your risk of kidney problems.

Food interactions

Information not available.

Lab interactions

Information not available.
Streptomycin is given in the clinical/hospital setting under the supervision of a qualified healthcare professional. Follow all the instructions given by your doctor. Do not self-administer Streptomycin. If you experience any redness/pain/swelling at the site of injection that becomes bothersome, inform your doctor immediately. Streptomycin may cause hearing and kidney problems. Stay hydrated by consuming an adequate amount of water and fluids to reduce the risk of kidney damage and hearing loss.

Miscelleneous

Usage does not depend on food timings

To be taken as instructed by doctor

Does not cause sleepiness

How it works

Streptomycin kills the bacteria by blocking the production of essential proteins required for their growth.

Legal Status

Approved

Approved

Unknown

Approved

Classification

Category

Aminoglycosides, Antibiotics

Schedule

Schedule H

Dailymed.nlm.nih.gov. 2021. DailyMed - STREPTOMYCIN injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution. [online] Available at: < [Accessed 17 September 2021].

https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=abd1f64e-4283-4370-aae8-3666316aa36e&audience=consumer>

Accessdata.fda.gov. 2021. [online] Available at: < [Accessed 17 September 2021].

https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2012/064210s009lbl.pdf>

Pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. 2021. Streptomycin. [online] Available at: < [Accessed 17 September 2021].

https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Streptomycin>
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Information on this page was last updated on 18 Oct 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.