Gentamicin Injection is indicated for the treatment of serious infections caused by susceptible microorganisms, including :Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Proteus species, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella, Enterobacter, Serratia, and Staphylococcus species.

Gentamicin Injection is used in the treatment of conditions such as: septicemia, meningitis, respiratory tract infections, infected wounds, skin and skin structure infections, bone and soft tissue infections, peritonitis, septic abortion, burns complicated by sepsis, and urinary tract infections, when these are caused by susceptible organisms.

Gentamicin Sulfate is an aminoglycoside antibiotic with proven bactericidal activity. It is effective against a broad range of Gram-negative bacteria, including Escherichia coli, Klebsiella, Proteus species, Enterobacter, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Serratia species. It is also active against some Gram-positive organisms, including penicillin-resistant and methicillin-resistant strains of Staphylococcus aureus. In laboratory studies, gentamicin has also shown activity against Salmonella and Shigella. Gentamicin works by interfering with bacterial protein synthesis. It binds mainly to the 30S subunit of bacterial ribosomes in susceptible organisms, which leads to bacterial cell death. Other mechanisms may also contribute to its bactericidal effect.

Gentamicin is given by the intramuscular route normally. But intravenous administration may be used if required. The dosage is the same for either route of administration.

Adult: In case of adults, the usual dose is 3-5 mg/kg/day in three divided doses 8 hourly for 7 to 10 days. In patients with impaired renal function, the interval between doses should be increased to 12 hours when the creatinine clearance is 30-70 ml/min, 24 hours for 10-30 ml/min, 48 hours for 5-10 ml/min or may be given as directed by the physician.

Pediatric: Up to 2 weeks: 3 mg/kg/every 12 hours. 2 weeks to 12 years: 2 mg/kg/every 8 hours or as directed by the physician.

Intravenous administration: For I.V. administration, the prescribed dose of Gentamicin should be diluted with 100- 200 ml sterile normal saline or 5% glucose in water. The concentration of Gentamicin in the solution should not exceed 1 mg/ml. Infusion periods of 30 minutes to 2 hours have been advocated. Gentamicin Injection should be discarded following a single use.

Concurrent use of gentamicin with other drugs that may cause nephrotoxicity or ototoxicity should be avoided whenever possible. Potent diuretics such as ethacrynic acid or frusemide may increase the ototoxic effects of gentamicin. Since gentamicin can be inactivated by solutions containing beta-lactam antibiotics, such as penicillins and cephalosporins, these drugs should not be administered at the same time.

Gentamicin may cause vestibular damage, reversible nephrotoxicity, and auditory ototoxicity. Possible symptoms include dizziness, vertigo, tinnitus, and roaring sounds in the ears, and in rare cases, hearing loss. Renal adverse effects may also occur, especially in patients with a history of renal impairment or in those receiving higher-than-recommended doses.

The safety of gentamicin during pregnancy and lactation has not been fully established. Gentamicin crosses the placenta and may pose a risk of ototoxicity to the fetus. Therefore, it should be used during pregnancy only when the severity of the mother’s condition justifies the potential risk. Small amounts of gentamicin have been found in breast milk. For this reason, breastfeeding is generally recommended to be discontinued during treatment, unless the expected benefit outweighs any possible risk.

Aminoglycoside antibiotic.

Store below 30°C, protected from light and moisture. Keep out of the reach of children.