As a result of the vital activity of microorganisms (Micromospora purpurea), an antibiotic is formed - gentamicin. It is used in the form of gentamicin sulfate (Gentamicyni sulfas). Said powder is well soluble in H2O. Aqueous solutions are quite resistant, withstand boiling. Release form - 4% aqueous solutions, powder and 0.1% ointment. When preparing the ointment, additional substances are used (white petrolatum and paraffin). Gentamicin ointment is used for external use. The drug contains an antibiotic (Gentamicyni sulfas) belonging to the aminoglycoside series. It exhibits a wide spectrum of action.
Gentamicin ointment: mechanism of action
The spectrum of antibacterial action does not differ from other antibiotics in this group. It has a bactericidal effect on most gram-negative and gram-positive microorganisms, including Proteus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klepsiela, Campylobacter, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, etc. It is less effective against steptococci, enterococci, and clostridia. With the combined administration of gentamicin with penicillins (oxacillin, carbenicillin, ampicillin) they get a good bactericidal effect against entero and streptococci. Gentamicin sulfate does not act on anaerobic bacteria, viruses, protozoa, and fungi. The resistance of microorganisms to the action of an antibiotic is developed gradually. It should be said that strains resistant to the action of antibiotics such as kanamycin and neomycin show resistance to the action of gentamicin (cross-resistance).
Since gentamicin ointment contains an antibiotic of the aminoglycoside series, it penetrates poorly through the skin and mucous membranes. In this regard, this ointment practically does not show resorption action. The duration of action after a single application can last up to 8-12 hours. Therefore, gentamicin ointment is applied to the damaged surface once or twice a day, given the severity of the damage and the nature of the course of the underlying pathology. The active substance (antibiotic) is excreted from the body by the kidneys, in almost unchanged condition, in fairly high concentrations.
Gentamicin ointment: instructions for use
This drug is widely used in surgical practice for the treatment of wounds in the second phase of the wound process in order to prevent the development of purulent infection. Gentamicin ointment is used for burns and frostbite. Dermatologists use the ointment to treat skin diseases of an infectious etiology (superficial folliculitis, pyoderma, dermatitis, eczema, furunculosis, ulcers, acne, etc.) caused by bacteria that are sensitive to gentamicin. Gentamicin ointment can also be used in the treatment of household injuries (small wounds, scratches).
Method of using the drug
After appropriate (following the rules of aseptic and antiseptic) treatment of wounds and burns, gentamicin ointment is directly applied to the wound surface, then a gauze dressing is applied . An antibiotic ointment can also be applied first to the dressing, and then to the surface of the wound. As a rule, ointment is used twice a day to treat wounds, and twice a week to treat burns. Depending on the form and severity of the disease, treatment can last up to two weeks. In the presence of ulcers and erosion, the wound is first treated with disinfectants (3% hydrogen peroxide, 2% alcoholic boric acid solution), after which gentamicin ointment is used. Using the drug can provoke the appearance of side effects, which manifest themselves in the form of allergic reactions and hyperemia. The use of gentamicin ointment is contraindicated in the presence of allergic reactions to the antibiotic and in the first phase of the wound process.