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Gentamicin (Garamycin) Injection

Category:

  • Antibiotic

Description:

  • Aminoglycoside antibiotic

Indications:

  • Serious infections (P. aeruginosa, Proteus species, E. coli, Klebsiella species, Enterobacter species, Serratia species, Citrobacter species, Staphylococcus species)

  • Bacterial neonatal sepsis

  • Bacterial septicemia

  • Serious bacterial infections of the CNS (meningitis)

  • Urinary tract, respiratory tract, skin, bone and soft tissue (including burns) infections

  • Gram-negative infections

  • Emperic therapy for unknown serious infections

Contraindications:

  • Generally not indicated for long-term therapy due to nephrotoxocity and ototoxicity

Precautions:

  • Pregnancy category D

  • May cause nephrotoxicity, therefore closely monitor renal function, especially in elderly patients.

  • May cause ototoxicity, therefore monitor hearing

  • Monitor peak and trough serum concentrations

  • In patients with extensive burns, altered pharmacokinetics may alter serum concentrations.

  • May produce hypomagnesemia, especially if poor or restricted diet.

  • Aminoglycosides have neuromuscular blockade activity with a curare-like effect.  Monitor patient’s neuromuscular function, especially in patients with myasthenia gravis, parkinsonism or infant botulism.

Adverse Reactions (Side Effects):

  • Central and peripheral nervous system reactions:

    • Headache

    • Depression

    • Confusion

    • Lethargy

    • Muscle twitching

    • Peripheral neuropathy

  • Gastrointestinal: vomiting, nausea, anorexia, hypersalivation

  • Hematologic: changes in reticulocyte counts, anemia, altered WBC counts

  • Hypersensitivity: rash, urticaria, itching

  • Special senses: dizziness, tinnitis, vertigo

  • Renal: oliguria, proteinuria, increased creatinine and BUN

  • Miscellaneous: apnea, alopecia, joint pain

  • Pain at injection site

  • Decreased calcium, sodium, potassium and magnesium levels  

Dosage:

  • Administered by IM or IV injection

  • Therapy duration is generally 7-10 days

Adults: normal renal function: 3mg/kg/day IV or IM in 3 equal doses every 8 hours
Weight
 (pounds)
Weight
 (kg)
Q8 hour Dose (Moderate Infections)
132 60 60 mg IM/IV
154 70 70 mg IM/IV
176 80 80 mg IM/IV
198 90 90 mg IM/IV

Serious infections: 5mg/kg/day divided into 3-4 equal doses
Weight 
(pounds)
Weight 
(kg)
Q8 hour Dose (Serious Infections)
132 60 100 mg IM/IV
154 70 117 mg IM/IV
176 80 133 mg IM/IV
198 90 150 mg IM/IV
  • obese patients: 

    • base dose on lean body mass

  • Children:

    • 6-7.5mg/kg/day (2-2.5mg/kg q8h)

  • Infants and neonates

    • 7.5mg/kg/day (2.5mg/kg q8h)

  • Premature or full term neonates (< 1 week of age):

    • 5mg/kg/day (2.5mgkg q12h)

 


The information contained here is an abbreviated summary. For more detailed and complete information, consult the manufacturer's product information sheets or standard textbooks

Source: Operational Medicine 2001,  Health Care in Military Settings, NAVMED P-5139, May 1, 2001, Bureau of Medicine and Surgery, Department of the Navy, 2300 E Street NW, Washington, D.C., 20372-5300

This information is provided by The Brookside Associates.  The Brookside Associates, LLC. is a private organization, not affiliated with any governmental agency. The opinions presented here are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the opinions of the Brookside Associates or the Department of Defense. The presence of any advertising on these pages does not constitute an endorsement of that product or service by either the US Department of Defense or the Brookside Associates. All material presented here is unclassified.

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