In the article, we consider the instructions and reviews for the Gentamicin preparation.
It is an antibacterial agent used in a wide range of medical practices. The drug is often prescribed for the treatment of systemic diseases. It has many forms with the exception of the tablet, and at the same time it has a negative effect on the functioning of the kidneys and hearing organs, so it can be taken only as directed by a doctor. Gentamicin is active against gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, as well as many microorganisms that show resistance to other antibiotics. Reviews about "Gentamicin" are available in large numbers.
Release Forms
The medication is made in several forms, including:
- Solution for injection intravenously or intramuscularly.
- Powder for the preparation of a solution for injection intramuscularly.
- Drops for eyes 0.3%.
- Topical aerosol 0.1%.
- Ointment for external use 0.1%.
The properties
"Gentamicin" is included in the category of drugs from the group of aminoglycosides, which have a wide range of applications. The active component of gentamicin is able to penetrate the membrane of bacterial cells and block the production of protein by the microorganism.
The antimicrobial effect of the drug is quite wide. Gentamicin is able to inhibit the reproduction of most gram-positive and gram-negative microorganisms. The drug is especially active against Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
The active substance is rapidly absorbed into the bloodstream. In addition, gentamicin easily overcomes the blood-brain barrier located between brain tissue and blood. One hour after the injection, the maximum concentration of a substance in the body is observed by injection. After the second injection with an eight-hour break, the accumulation of gentamicin in the body begins. The drug is excreted by the kidneys. This is confirmed by the instructions for use with Gentamicin. Reviews about this drug are mostly positive.
Indications for use
"Gentamicin" is prescribed for the treatment of diseases of an infectious and inflammatory nature, the causative agents of which respond to the action of the active component.
Indications for the appointment of funds in the form of injections are:
- Burns.
- Purulent wounds.
- Osteomyelitis.
- Infectious diseases of the respiratory system, including pneumonia, bronchitis, pleural empyema, pulmonary abscess, etc.
- Diseases of the urinary tract and kidneys of infectious origin, including cystitis, pyelonephritis, prostatitis, urethritis, etc. Reviews of Gentamicin injections will be presented at the end of the article.
A medication in the form of an aerosol and ointment is used in the following cases:
- Pyoderma, including gangrenous type.
- Furunculosis, folliculitis, dermatitis, paronychia, acne and other dermatological lesions.
- Treatment of wounds that do not heal, insect bites, trophic ulcers, etc.
Gentamicin-based eye drops are intended to correct the following problems:
- Keratitis
- Conjunctivitis.
- Blepharitis.
- Dacryocystitis.
- Keratoconjunctivitis.
- Iridocyclitis.
The drug is used only as directed by a doctor, subject to strict adherence to the prescribed dosages and frequency of use.
Instruction manual
The appointment of "Gentamicin" is possible only after special tests have been conducted on the sensitivity of pathogenic microflora to the active substance of the drug. The dosage is determined strictly individually for each patient, depending on the age, severity of the pathological process and its localization, as well as taking into account the resistance of harmful microorganisms. Standard treatment regimens suggest the following options:
- When using a solution for injection, a single dosage for adults is 1.0-1.7 mg of gentamicin per kilogram of body weight. In this case, the daily dosage should not exceed 3.5 mg per kilogram of weight. The drug is administered 2-4 times a day for 7-10 days. Depending on the nature of the disease, the doctor may decide to increase the dosage to 120-160 mg per day for 7-10 days or a single injection of the drug in an amount of 240-280 mg. Intravenous infusions of gentamicin solution are carried out for 1-2 hours a day.
- In children over two years of age, the introduction of the drug in the amount of 3-5 mg per kilogram is allowed. Multiplicity of injections three times a day. If the child is premature or in a newborn, 2-5 mg per kilogram in the morning and evening is prescribed. For children under two years of age - a similar dosage, but the multiplicity increases up to three times.
When using "Gentamicin" in the form of an ointment, the drug is applied in a thin layer three times or four times a day. Gentamicin-based eye drops are used 1-2 every few hours, up to six times a day.
According to reviews, Gentamicin ointment is very popular.
Contraindications
In fact, it does not have absolute contraindications for use as a single drug. Restrictions on its purpose are imposed due to the incompatibility of the active component of the drug with many other drugs. So, "Gentamicin" is not recommended to be combined with antibiotics of the penicillin group, aminoglycosides, a number of cephalosporins, polymyxin, chloramphenicol, sulfonamides and colistin.
Other contraindications for the appointment of "Gentamicin" are the following conditions:
- Dysfunctional renal failure.
- Hypersensitivity to the main component.
- Pregnancy and lactation.
- Concomitant use with other drugs that have an ototoxic or nephrotoxic effect.
- Combination with a number of anesthetics.
- Simultaneous use with drugs from the category of muscle relaxants.
Against the background of treatment with Gentamicin, caution should be exercised when the ointment must be applied to large areas of the skin, since in this case the likelihood of adverse reactions of a systemic nature increases significantly.
Adverse reactions
According to reviews of Gentamicin, the most common adverse reactions are as follows:
- Paresthesia, muscle twitching, tics.
- Feeling of numbness, pain in the head.
- Nausea and vomiting, increased bilirubin in the blood.
- Anemia, granulocytopenia, leukopenia, thrombocytopenia and other hematological pathologies.
- Dysfunctional kidney disorder.
- Allergic reactions accompanied by itching, rash, Quincke's edema, eosinophilia.
- Ototoxicity, that is, a decrease in auditory perception, tinnitus and even irreversible hearing loss.
- Drowsiness, psychosis in childhood, epileptic seizures.
- Disorders of the labyrinth and vestibular type.
- Fever, superinfection.
Against the background of external treatment with gentamicin, local skin reactions are possible in the form of itching and burning, rash, hyperemia of the skin. If applying the drug to large areas of the skin is required, systemic disorders may occur.
Compatibility with other drugs
"Gentamicin" is well combined with drugs from the category of aminoglycosides and cephalosporins, as well as with ethacrylic acid and "Vancomycin." With the simultaneous use of the drug with Indomethacin, the concentration of Gentamicin in the blood rises, which leads to a higher degree of intoxication of the body.
When using "Gentamicin" with opioid analgesics, as well as with narcotic drugs, the risk of apnea and blockade of nerves and muscles increases.
Analogs
A number of drugs with a similar active component from different manufacturers are distinguished. The main criterion for choosing between these drugs is their affordability, as well as quality. Replacing Gentamicin with an antibiotic from another pharmacological group should be done by a qualified doctor. For this, it is necessary to conduct new tests for the sensitivity of pathogens to a new antibiotic.
Gentamicin-based drops are usually replaced, if necessary, with tetracycline or chloramphenicol. In addition, the following drugs are similar in properties to antibiotics:
- Tobrex. The composition of the drug includes tobramycin. It also shows a high degree of activity against many gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria. The drug is allowed to be used in newborns.
- Toradex. Combined drug based on dexamethasone and tobramycin. In addition to antibacterial properties, it has anti-inflammatory and antipruritic effect. Approved for use by children over one year old.
The above analogues are made in the form of drops. It is quite difficult to choose an identical drug in the form of a solution for injection or tablets.
Reviews
Gentamicin is a potent drug, therefore it is forbidden to use it without consulting a specialist. Comments about the drug are quite diverse.
Gentamicin drops have gained positive reviews, and the ointment is also very popular. It is these forms that are characterized as especially effective in eliminating infectious lesions of a local nature.
About the solution for injection "Gentamicin" reviews are very diverse. All emphasize its high efficiency and speed, however, many complaints cause side effects. If treatment with the drug was carried out in a child, then after discharge the auditory perception and work of the kidneys must be prescribed, since it is on these areas of the body that the antibiotic has the greatest negative effect. Many consider the use of the drug an extreme measure, when no other antibacterial treatment options are at hand.
We reviewed the application of Gentamicin, the instructions for use, analogues and reviews.