Gentamicin
Please note: This is for information only.
Refer to local guidelines for treatment recommendations.
- An aminoglycoside antibiotic.
- Bactericidal.
2 dosing options:
- Once-daily Gentamicin Protocol
- Conventional dosing (tds or bd) – only if once daily gentamicin not appropriate
- Monitor levels – see TDM guide for recommendations.
- As with all aminoglycosides, potentially nephrotoxic and ototoxic.
Contraindications:
- Do not use in myeloma patients
- Myasthenia gravis
Main indications:
- Serious abdominal infections
- Pelvic inflammatory disease
- Serious infections of the urinary tract, including pyelonephritis
- Endocarditis
- Haematology, oncology, renal and neonatal specialist guidelines
- Surgical prophylaxis
- Active against most strains of:
- Staphylococcus aureus – including MRSA
- Escherichia coli
- Klebsiella and other coliforms
- Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Not active against most strains of:
- Streptococci*
- Enterococcus*
- Streptococcus pneumoniae
- Haemophilus influenzae
* Streptococci and enterococci are intrinsically resistant but gentamicin may act synergistically when used with cell wall active agents eg: penicillins or glycopeptides.