GENTAMICIN injectable

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