Gentamicin (Garamycin) - Pharmacist Review - Uses, Dosing, Side Effects

Summary

In this video, Gary Campbell provides an informative overview of gentamicin (brand name Garamycin), an aminoglycoside antibiotic. He explains its mechanism of action, how it inhibits microbial protein synthesis to combat bacterial infections. The video outlines the conditions for which gentamicin is prescribed, including bacterial meningitis, sepsis, eye infections, and severe respiratory and urinary tract infections. Additionally, it covers contraindications, dosing examples, and potential side effects like nausea, injection site pain, and serious concerns such as ototoxicity and nephrotoxicity. The video emphasizes the importance of understanding this medication for healthcare professionals.

Takeaways

• 😀 Gentamicin, also known by the brand name Garamycin, is an aminoglycoside antibiotic used to treat a variety of infections.
• 😀 The medication works by inhibiting microbial protein synthesis in susceptible pathogens.
• 😀 Common indications for gentamicin include bacterial meningitis, sepsis, eye infections, and gastrointestinal infections.
• 😀 Gentamicin can also be used for severe respiratory tract and urinary tract infections.
• 😀 The medication should not be prescribed to patients with hypersensitivity to gentamicin or other aminoglycosides.
• 😀 Dosing for bacterial meningitis can start at 3 mg/kg per day intravenously or intramuscularly, given in equally divided doses every 8 hours.
• 😀 In life-threatening infections, a higher dose of 5 mg/kg per day may be used, with a reduction to 3 mg/kg once clinically appropriate.
• 😀 For eye infections, gentamicin ointment (0.3%) is applied topically 2-3 times per day to the affected eye(s).
• 😀 Common side effects include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, decreased appetite, pain at the injection site, headache, fever, and joint pain.
• 😀 Serious side effects may include ototoxicity (hearing loss), nephrotoxicity (kidney damage), and respiratory tract paralysis.

Q & A

What is gentamicin, and how does it work?

Gentamicin is an aminoglycoside antibiotic that works by inhibiting microbial protein synthesis in susceptible pathogens, effectively preventing bacterial growth.

What are some of the common conditions for which gentamicin is prescribed?

Gentamicin is commonly prescribed for bacterial meningitis, bacterial sepsis, eye infections (in ointment form), bone infections, skin infections, gastrointestinal infections, severe respiratory tract infections, and severe urinary tract infections.

What are the contraindications for using gentamicin?

Gentamicin should not be prescribed to patients with a hypersensitivity to gentamicin or any component of its formulation, or to those who have a hypersensitivity to other aminoglycosides.

What is the typical dosage for gentamicin in treating bacterial meningitis?

For bacterial meningitis, the typical dosage is 3 milligrams per kilogram per day, administered intravenously or intramuscularly in equally divided doses every eight hours for 7 to 10 days. In life-threatening infections, the dosage may be increased to 5 milligrams per kilogram per day in 3 or 4 divided doses.

What would happen if gentamicin is used inappropriately or in excessive doses?

Improper or excessive use of gentamicin can lead to severe side effects such as ototoxicity (damage to the ear), nephrotoxicity (damage to the kidneys), or respiratory paralysis, which can be life-threatening.

How is gentamicin administered for an eye infection?

For eye infections, gentamicin is applied topically as a 0.3 percent ophthalmic ointment. A small amount, about half an inch, is applied to the affected eye or eyes 2 to 3 times a day.

What are the common side effects of gentamicin?

Common side effects of gentamicin include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, decreased appetite, pain at the injection site, headaches, fever, and joint pain.

What are some serious side effects associated with gentamicin?

Serious side effects of gentamicin include ototoxicity (hearing loss), nephrotoxicity (kidney damage), and respiratory tract paralysis, which can be potentially life-threatening.

Why should dosing adjustments be made for patients with life-threatening infections?

Dosing adjustments for life-threatening infections are made to ensure higher doses of gentamicin are administered initially to quickly combat the severe infection, with subsequent adjustments once the patient's condition improves to reduce the risk of toxic side effects.

How can gentamicin’s side effects be minimized during treatment?

Gentamicin's side effects can be minimized by carefully following prescribed dosages, monitoring kidney and hearing function during treatment, and adjusting doses based on the patient's response and clinical condition.