Gentamicin
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
- Intra-abdominal Infection
- Bacterial Meningitis
- Bone and joint infections
- Skin and soft tissue infections
- Urinary tract infections
- Bacterial skin infections
- Bacterial eye infections
- Bacterial Ear Infections
- Community-Acquired Pneumonia
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Concerns
Commonly asked questions
- Onset of actionInjection- 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 effectThe 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.