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Gentamicin Injection BP

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Generic Name: gentamicin sulfate BP
Product Name: Gentamicin Injection BP

Indication: What Gentamicin Injection BP is used for

Gentamicin Injection is used to treat serious bacterial infections in many different parts of the body such as chest infections, urinary tract infections and infected wounds or burns.

Gentamicin Injection may be prescribed for other reasons that are not mentioned above. Your doctor will be able to tell you about the specific condition for which you have been prescribed it.

This medicine is available only with a doctor’s prescription.

Action: How Gentamicin Injection BP works

Gentamicin Injection belongs to a group of medicines known as aminoglycoside antibiotics. Aminoglycoside antibiotics work by preventing bacteria from growing and by killing them.

Gentamicin Injection contains gentamicin (as gentamicin sulfate BP) 80mg/2mL and disodium edetate in water for Injections. It does not contain preservatives.

Dose advice: How to use Gentamicin Injection BP

Before you are given Gentamicin Injection

When you must not be given it

Do not use Gentamicin Injection if:


  • You have an allergy to gentamicin or any of the ingredients listed here;
  • You have an allergy to other aminoglycoside antibiotics such as tobramycin, streptomycin, amikacin, netilmicin or neomycin.

If you are not sure whether any of these apply to you, check with your doctor.

Before you are given it

Tell your doctor if:

  • You have any allergies to:
    • Any other medicine;
    • Any other substances, such as foods, preservatives or dyes;
  • You are pregnant or intend to become pregnant.
    • Gentamicin may affect your developing baby if you take it during pregnancy. If it is necessary for you to be given Gentamicin Injection, your doctor will discuss with you the benefits and risks of using it during pregnancy;
  • You are breast-feeding or plan to breast feed your doctor will discuss with you the benefits and risks of being given Gentamicin Injection whilst you are breastfeeding;
  • You have or have had any medical conditions, especially the following:
    • Kidney disease or any kidney problems;
    • Hearing problems;
    • Myasthenia gravis (a muscle disease);
    • Parkinsons disease (a disease affecting movement).

Taking other medicines

Tell your doctor if you are taking any other medicines, including any that you buy without a prescription from your pharmacy, supermarket or health food shop.

Some medicines and gentamicin may interfere with each other. These include:

  • Antibiotics;
  • Water tablets (diuretics) such as frusemide;
  • Anticancer drugs such as cisplatin;
  • Vitamin K;
  • Any drug that may cause kidney or hearing problems;
  • Amphotericin, an anti-fungal medicine;
  • Anaesthetics such as halothane;
  • Muscle relaxants such as suxamethonium.

These medicines may affect the way gentamicin works or be affected by gentamicin. You may need different amounts of your medicine, or you may need to take a different medicine. Your doctor will advise you about continuing to take other medicines while you are receiving Gentamicin Injection.

How Gentamicin Injection is given

How it is given

Gentamicin Injection must only be given by a doctor or nurse. Gentamicin Injection is given by injection into the muscle or as a slow injection (infusion) into a vein.

How much is given

Your doctor will decide what dose and how long you will receive Gentamicin Injection. This will depend on your age, weight, type of infection and how well your kidneys are working. However, the usual adult dose of Gentamicin Injection is 60-80mg per day for 7-10 days.


If you are given too much (overdose)

This rarely happens as Gentamicin Injection is administered under the care of a highly trained doctor.

However, if you are given too much gentamicin, you may experience some of the effects listed under “Side Effects” below.

Your doctor has information on how to recognise and treat an overdose. Ask your doctor if you have any concerns.

If you experience severe side effects, tell your doctor immediately, or go to the nearest hospital emergency department.

Storage

Gentamicin Injection will be stored in the pharmacy or ward. It is kept below 25°C in a dark place to protect it from light.

Schedule of Gentamicin Injection BP

Gentamicin Injection BP is a S4 medicine.

Side effects of Gentamicin Injection BP

Tell your doctor, nurse or pharmacist as soon as possible if you do not feel well while you are being treated with gentamicin.


Like other medicines, gentamicin can cause some side effects. If they occur, most are likely to be minor or temporary. However, some may be serious and need medical attention.

Ask your doctor or pharmacist to answer any questions that you may have.

Do not be alarmed by this list of possible side effects. You may not experience any of them.

Tell your doctor if you notice any of the following:

  • Fever, severe chills, sore throat, mouth ulcers;
  • Nausea, vomiting;
  • Headache;
  • Unusual bleeding or bruising under the skin;
  • Weight loss;
  • Loss of appetite;
  • Weakness or tiredness;
  • Increased salivation;
  • Pain at the site of injection;
  • Joint pain;
  • Hair loss.

These side effects are usually mild.

Tell your doctor immediately if you have any of the following:

  • Severe headache;
  • Dizziness;
  • Hearing problems, ringing in the ears;
  • Problems with balance;
  • Increase or decrease in urination;
  • Skin tingling, numbness, muscle twitching;
  • Fits (convulsion).

These are serious side effects. You may need urgent medical attention. Serious side effects are rare.

Tell your doctor immediately if you have any of the following:

These are symptoms of an allergic reaction to gentamicin.

Other side effects not listed above may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your doctor. Some side effects may only be seen by your doctor.

For further information talk to your doctor.

References

  1. Gentamicin Injection BP Medicine Information (CMI). West Ryde, NSW:  Pfizer Australia Pty Ltd. March 2011. [PDF]
  2. Gentamicin Injection BP Product Information (PI). West Ryde, NSW: Pfizer Australia Pty Ltd. March 2011. [PDF]

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Dates

Posted On: 22 July, 2003
Modified On: 30 October, 2017
Reviewed On: 15 October, 2017

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