Gentamicin

Gentamicin is a type of drug that stops bacteria from infecting your organs or growing in your body. It is only given to you when your healthcare provider prescribes it.

Gentamicin helps to treat many bacterial infections when your healthcare provider thinks it is suitable. This can include:

• It may be prescribed if you have an infection of the covering of the brain caused by bacteria.
• If you have bacterial infections of the stomach and intestines.
• Your healthcare provider may prescribe it if you have a serious bacterial skin infection.
• Your healthcare provider may also prescribe this medicine to prevent you from having bacterial infections if you need to have surgery.

Gentamicin is a drug that treats infections caused by bacteria. It is an aminoglycoside antibiotic. You should not take this medicine if you have had an allergic reaction to it before. Gentamicin works by stopping the growth of bacteria. It rarely causes a serious allergic reaction but can cause irreversible hearing loss. Gentamicin is a prescription-only medicine.

• Gentamicin is given as a drip into your blood or an injection into your muscle by your healthcare provider or a trained caregiver. The dose and duration for the use of this medicine depend on the severity and type of bacterial infection you have.
• You may begin to feel well a few days after taking this medicine. However, do not miss your injection appointments until you complete your required dose. Skipping your appointment may put you at risk of developing an infection that is difficult to treat.
• The severity of its side effect depends on the cumulative or the total dose of the drug administered. Hence small doses are commonly used for long periods, and higher doses are not used for more than 3 to 5 days.

You may experience mildly uncomfortable effects of this medicine. They will usually go away within a few days.
Here are some examples of some common side-effects you may experience:

• You may experience pain or irritation at the place where you were given the injection.
• You may experience headaches and feel drowsy.
• You may have a skin rash and serious itching.
• You may feel like vomiting or actually vomit.
• You may have swellings in some parts of your body.
• You may not be able to urinate well or feel pain while urinating.

The above is not a complete list of side effects. You should mention these or other uncomfortable effects to your healthcare provider if these do not resolve within 7 days.

Inform your healthcare provider if you have any disease condition. This will help them check your risk for any severe unpleasant effects. Also:

• Tell your healthcare provider if you have had a drug reaction to gentamicin or similar drugs.
• This medicine may affect your hearing or your nerves. You need to tell your healthcare provider when you experience have difficulty hearing, ringing sensations in your ears, or seizures, and numbing sensations in your arms and legs.