Gentamicin is an antibiotic. It fights bacteria in the body.
Gentamicin is used to treat severe or serious bacterial infections.
Gentamicin may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking gentamicin?
Do not use gentamicin without first talking to your doctor if you have
sulfite sensitivity;
kidney disease;
hearing loss or loss of balance due to ear problems;
Parkinson's disease; or
a neuromuscular disorder such as myasthenia gravis.
You may not be able to use gentamicin, or you may require a dosage
adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listed above.
Do not
use gentamicin without first talking to your doctor if you are
pregnant or could become pregnant during treatment.
Do not
use gentamicin without first talking to your doctor if you are
breast-feeding a baby.
How should I take gentamicin?
If you are injecting gentamicin at home, your healthcare provider will give you detailed
instructions on how and where to inject the medication. If you do not understand these directions, do
not attempt to inject the medication. Contact your healthcare provider for further instructions.
Do not use any gentamicin that is discolored, has particles in it, or looks different from your
previous doses. Throw away any unused gentamicin after the amount of time determined by your
pharmacist or doctor.
Adequate hydration is important during treatment with gentamicin. Fluids may be administered
intravenously during treatment.
It is important that the medication be given on a regular schedule and for the entire amount of
time prescribed by your doctor.
Gentamicin may cause damage to the kidneys and/or nerves. Kidney function and drug levels in
the blood may be monitored with blood tests during treatment. Tell your doctor if you experience
hearing loss, dizziness, numbness, skin tingling, muscle twitching, or seizures which may be signs of
nerve damage.
Dispose of used needles and syringes in a puncture resistant container out of the reach of
children.
Your healthcare provider will store gentamicin as directed by the manufacturer or give you
detailed storage instructions if you are storing the medication at home.
What happens if I miss a dose of gentamicin?
Contact your doctor if a dose is missed.
Where can I get more information about gentamicin?
Your pharmacist has information about gentamicin written for health professionals that you may read.
What are the possible side effects of gentamicin?
If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop taking gentamicin and seek
emergency medical attention:
an allergic reaction (shortness of breath; closing of the throat;
hives; swelling of the lips, face, or tongue; rash; or fainting);
little or no urine;
decreased hearing or ringing in the ears;
dizziness, clumsiness, or unsteadiness;
numbness, skin tingling, muscle twitching, or seizures; or
severe watery diarrhea and abdominal cramps.
Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue to
take gentamicin and talk to your doctor if you experience
increased thirst;
loss of appetite;
nausea or vomiting;
a rash.
Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor
about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
What is the most important information I should know about gentamicin?
If you are injecting gentamicin at home, your healthcare provider will give you detailed
instructions on how and where to inject the medication. If you do not understand these directions, do
not attempt to inject the medication. Contact your healthcare provider for further instructions.
Gentamicin may cause damage to the kidneys and/or nerves. Kidney function and drug levels in
the blood may be monitored with blood tests during treatment. Tell your doctor if you experience
hearing loss, dizziness, numbness, skin tingling, muscle twitching, or seizures which may be signs of
nerve damage.
What should I avoid while taking gentamicin?
There are no restrictions on food, beverages, or activity while taking gentamicin unless
otherwise directed by your doctor.
What other drugs will affect gentamicin?
Other drugs, especially those that affect the kidneys, can interact with gentamicin resulting in
dangerous side effects and/or decreased effectiveness. Do not take any other prescription or
over-the-counter medicines, including vitamins, minerals, and herbal products, without first talking to
your doctor during treatment with gentamicin.
Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share
your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.
Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate,
up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum
information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not
warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does
not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist
licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not
a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or
drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any
given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information
Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug
interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse
or pharmacist.
Content provided by Multum - Last Updated 11/10/2009