Genticin

What is it?

An antibiotic and amino- glycoside preparation available in ampoules for injection containing 40mg of gentamicin, as sulphate. Also, in the form of eye/ear drops containing 0.3% gentamicin (as sulphate).

Medical Uses

Injection, urinary tract infections, serious, life-threatening systemic infections sensitive to gentamicin. Drops, ear and eye bacterial infections.

Dosage

Adults, injection, 3 to 4mg per kg of body weight by bolus intravenous injection or intramuscular injection, each day in divided doses. For very severe, life-threatening infections, up to 5mg per kg of body weight in 24 hours may be given, with monitoring of blood levels of gentamicin. Children, aged under 2 weeks, 3mg per kg of body weight every 12 hours; over 2 weeks old, 2mg per kg of body weight every 8 hours. Drops, adults and children, ear, 2 to 3 drops 3 or 4 times each day; eye, 1 to 2 drops up to 6 times each day; if infection is severe, 1 to 2 drops every 15 to 20 minutes, increasing time interval as infection responds.

Special Care

Injection, pregnancy, breastfeeding, Parkinson's disease, kidney disorders. Serum levels must be monitored as risk of kidney toxicity and vestibular toxicity. Drops, ear infections, do not use for prolonged period.

Avoid Use

Injection, myasthenia gravis (serious, chronic condition affecting skeletal muscles which may be an autoimmune disorder); drops, ear infections, ruptured ear drum.

Possible Drug and Food Interactions

Ototoxic and kidney toxic drugs; injection, anaesthetics, drugs that block neuromuscular activity, penicillins, cephalosporins, ethacrynic acid, piretanide, amino- glycosides, frusemide.

Known Side Effects

Injection, kidney toxicity, ototoxicity (toxic effects on the 8th cranial nerve and the organs of balance and hearing), pseudomembranous colitis (rare). Drops, superinfection (secondary infection) - discontinue use; ear/eye infections, slight irritation which is short-lived; eye, blurring of vision.