Gentamicin, Inj

Aminoglycoside · Aminoglycoside

Indications

Serious gentamicin sensitive infections. UTI.

Dosage

Adults: Up to 5 mg/kg IM or IV daily in three divided doses for 7-10 days. Children: Up to 2 wk, 3 mg/kg twelve hourly; over 2 wk, 2 mg/kg eight hourly. Both IM or IV for 7-10 days. Bone Infection: IM/IV: Adults: 3 mg/kg/day given every 8 hr. Max: 5 mg/kg/day in 3-4 doses. Reduce to 3 mg/kg/day as soon as clinically indicated. Children: 2-2.5 mg/kg every 8 hr. Infants/Neonates: 2.5 mg/kg every 8 hr. 1 wk or less: 2.5 mg/kg every 12 hr. Lower Respiratory Infection & Meningitis & Septicaemia: IV: Adults: 3 mg/kg/day given every 8 hr. Max: 5 mg/kg/day in 3-4 doses. Reduce to 3 mg/kg/day as soon as clinically indicated. Children: 2-2.5 mg/kg every 8 hr. Infants/Neonates: 2.5 mg/kg every 8 hr. 1 wk or less: 2.5 mg/kg every 12 hr.

Administration

IM: Administer by deep IM route if possible. Slower absorption and lower peak concentrations, probably due to poor circulation in the atrophic muscle, may occur following IM injection; in paralysed patients, suggest IV route. IV: Administer other antibiotics at least 1 hour before or 1 hour after gentamicin. Compatibility: Stable in dextran 40, D5W, D10W, mannitol 20%, LR, NS. Incompatible with fat emulsion 10%. Y-site administration: Drug to Drug IV Compatibility: Acyclovir, amikacin, amiodarone, aztreonam, bumetanide, calcium gluconate, ciprofloxacin, cisatracurium, diltiazem, diphenhydramine, dobutamine, dopamine, enalapril, epinephrine, esmolol, famotidine, fentanyl, fluconazole, hydromorphone, imipenem, labetalol, lansoprazole, levofloxacin, linezolid, lorazepam, magnesium sulphate, meropenem, methylprednisolone, metoclopramide, midazolam, milrinone, morphine, nitroglycerin,…

Adverse Effects

Vestibular and auditory damage, nephrotoxicity, hypomagnesaemia, blood dyscrasias, purpura, nausea, vomiting, stomatitis, signs of liver dysfunction, antibiotic associated colitis, atrophy at injection site, ototoxicity, neuromuscular blockade.

Risk Factor (Pregnancy/Lactation)

Pregnancy: Positive evidence of risk: Use only when no safer alternative exists for a serious problem. Lactation: Caution advised or effect undetermined. Contraindications: Myasthaenia gravis. Precautions: Conditions characterised by muscle weakness. Monitor serum levels as vestibular toxicity and nephrotoxicity may occur if serum levels exceed 10 microgram/ mL or trough levels exceed 2 mcg/mL. Renal and hepatic impairment. Infants. Elderly. Obesity.

Interactions

Neuromuscular blocking drugs, anaesthetic, ethacrynic acid, furosemide, other nephrotoxic or ototoxic drugs, indometacin, neostigmine, pyridostigmine, bisphosphonates, oral anticoagulants.

Advice to Patient

Take as prescribed. Contact prescriber if there is severe headache, changes in hearing, changes in urinary pattern, difficulty in breathing, fever, rash, unhealed sores, mouth sores, vaginal discharge, muscle pain, bone pain, change in gait or if there is no improvement or worsening of condition. Complete full course of therapy even if you feel better. Take sufficient amount of fluids (2-3 litres per day) to maintain hydration, unless restricted by the prescriber. Avoid direct sunlight, wear sunscreen, proper eyewear and protective clothing to prevent photosensitivity.

Pharmacokinetics

Absorption: IM: Rapid and complete. Oral: Poorly absorbed (<1%). Half-life elimination: Neonates: <1 wk: 3-11.5 hrs. 1 wk-1 mth: 3-6 hrs. Infants: 4 ± 1 hr. Children: 2 ± 1 hr. Adolescents: 1.5 ± 1 hr. Adults: Approx. 2 hr. Renal failure: Mean: 41 ± 24 hrs. Time to peak, serum: IM: 30-90 mins. IV: 30 mins after 30-min infusion. Excretion: Urine (=70%).

Brands with this active ingredient

Compiled by Healify Pharmacy from published drug references. How we compile it →

Always consult a pharmacist or doctor.