GENTAMICIN injectable

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    Last updated: September 2023

     

    Prescription under medical supervision

     

     
     
    Given the risk of renal and auditory toxicity, do not prolong treatment unnecessarily.

     

    Therapeutic action

    • Aminoglycoside antibacterial

    Indications

    • Severe bacterial infections: plague, septicaemia, meningitis, pneumonia, pyelonephritis, postpartum upper genital tract infections, brucellosis, etc., in combination with other antibacterials

    Forms and strengths, route of administration

    • 10 mg in 1 ml ampoule (10 mg/ml) and 80 mg in 2 ml ampoule (40 mg/ml) for IM or slow IV injection (3 minutes) or IV infusion (30 minutes) in 0.9% sodium chloride or 5% glucose

    Dosage

    Meningitis in young children, in combination with ampicillin or cloxacillin

    • Neonate:
      • 0 to 7 days (< 2 kg): 3 mg/kg once daily by IV injection or infusion
      • 0 to 7 days (≥ 2 kg): 5 mg/kg once daily by IV injection or infusion
      •  8 days to < 1 month: 5 mg/kg once daily by IV injection or infusion
    • Child 1 to 3 months: 2.5 mg/kg every 8 hours by IV injection or infusion 

     

    Other severe bacterial infections

    • Neonate : as above
    • Child 1 month and over: 4.5 to 7.5 mg/kg once daily 
    • Adult: 5 to 6 mg/kg once daily 

     

    For administration by IV infusion, dilute each dose of gentamicin in 5 ml/kg of 0.9% sodium chloride or 5% glucose in children less than 20 kg and in a bag of 100 ml of 0.9% sodium chloride or 5% glucose in children 20 kg and over and in adults.

    Duration

    • Plague: 10 to 14 days
    • Other infections: according to indication and clinical response

    Contra-indications, adverse effects, precautions

    • Do not administer to patients with allergy to aminoglycosides.
    • Administer with caution to patients with history of renal, vestibular or auditory problems.
    • Reduce dosage in patients with renal impairment.
    • May cause: irreversible ototoxicity (vestibular and auditory damage), nephrotoxicity, neuropathy, paraesthesia, neuromuscular blockade; rarely, allergic reactions.
    • Stop treatment in the event of dizziness, tinnitus or hearing loss (ototoxicity).
    • Do not combine with another aminoglycoside.
    • Avoid or monitor combination with: furosemide, amphotericin B, vancomycin (enhanced renal and/or auditory toxicity); neuromuscular blockers (increased neuromuscular blockage).
    • Pregnancy: administer only if clearly needed (risk of fetal ototoxicity).
    • Breast-feeding: no contra-indication

    Remarks

    • Do not mix with other drugs in the same syringe or infusion.

    Storage

     
    –  Below 25 °C