gentamicin sulfate

(jen ta mye' sin)

Parenteral, intrathecal:
Alcomicin (CAN), Cidomycin (CAN), Garamycin, Pediatric Gentamicin
Sulfate
Topical dermatologic cream, ointment:
Garamycin, G-myticin
Ophthalmic:
Garamycin, Gentacidin, Gentak, Genoptic, Genoptic S.O.P.
Gentamicin impregnated PMMA beads:
Septopal
Gentamicin Liposome injection:
Maitec

Pregnancy Category C

Drug class
Aminoglycoside

Therapeutic actions
Bactericidal: Inhibits protein synthesis in susceptible strains of gram-negative bacteria;
appears to disrupt functional integrity of bacterial cell membrane, causing cell death.

Indications
Parenteral
• Serious infections caused by susceptible strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa,
Proteus species, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella-Enterobacter-Serratia species,
Citrobacter, Staphylococcus species
• Serious infections when causative organisms are not known (often in conjunction
with a penicillin or cephalosporin)
• Unlabeled use: With clindamycin as alternative regimen in PID
Intrathecal
• Gram-negative infections
• Serious CNS infections caused by susceptible Pseudomonas species
Ophthalmic preparations
• Treatment of superficial ocular infections due to strains of microorganisms
susceptible to gentamicin
Topical dermatologic preparation
• Infection prophylaxis in minor skin abrasions and treatment of superficial
infections of the skin due to susceptible organisms amenable to local treatment
Gentamicin-impregnated PMAA beads on surgical wire
• Orphan drug use: Treatment of chronic osteomyelitis of post-traumatic,
postoperative, or hematogenous origin
Gentamicin liposome injection
• Orphan drug use: Treatment of disseminated Myobacterium avium-intracellulare
infection
Contraindications and cautions
• Contraindicated with allergy to any aminoglycosides.
• Use cautiously with renal or hepatic disease; preexisting hearing loss; active
infection with herpes, vaccinia, varicella, fungal infections, myobacterial
infections (ophthalmic preparations); myasthenia gravis; parkinsonism; infant
botulism; burn patients; lactation; pregnancy.

Available forms
Injection—10, 40 mg/mL; ophthalmic solution—3 mg/mL; ophthalmic ointment—
3 mg/g; topical ointment—0.1%; topical cream—0.1%; ointment—1 mg; cream—1 mg

Dosages
ADULTS
3 mg/kg/day in 3 equal doses q 8 hr IM or IV. Up to 5 mg/kg/day in 3–4 equal doses in
severe infections. For IV use, a loading dose of 1–2 mg/kg may be infused over 30–60
min, followed by a maintenance dose, usually for 7–10 days.
• PID: 2 mg/kg IV followed by 1.5 mg/kg tid plus clindamycin 600 mg IV qid.
Continue for at least 4 days and at least 48 hr after patient improves, then continue
clindamycin 450 mg orally qid for 10–14 days total therapy.
• Surgical prophylaxis regimens: Several complex, multidrug prophylaxis regimens
are available for preoperative use; consult manufacturer's instructions.
PEDIATRIC PATIENTS
2–2.5 mg/kg q 8 hr IM or IV.
Infants and neonates: 2.5 mg/kg q 8 hr.
Premature or full-term neonates: 2.5 mg/kg q 12 hr.
GERIATRIC PATIENTS OR PATIENTS WITH RENAL FAILURE
Reduce dosage or extend time dosage intervals, and carefully monitor serum drug levels
and renal function tests.
Ophthalmic solution
ADULTS AND PEDIATRIC PATIENTS
1–2 drops into affected eye or eyes q 4 hr; use up to 2 drops hourly in severe infections.
Ophthalmic ointment
ADULTS AND PEDIATRIC PATIENTS
Apply small amount to affected eye bid–tid.
Dermatologic preparations
ADULTS AND PEDIATRIC PATIENTS
Apply tid to qid. Cover with sterile bandage if needed.

Pharmacokinetics
Route Onset Peak
IM, IV Rapid 30–90 min

Metabolism: Hepatic; T1/2: 2–3 hr

Distribution: Crosses placenta; enters breast milk
Excretion: Urine

IV facts
Preparation: Dilute single dose in 50–200 mL of sterile isotonic saline or 5% dextrose in
water. Do not mix in solution with any other drugs.
Infusion: Infuse over 30–120 min.
Incompatibilities: Do not mix in solution with any other drugs.

Adverse effects
• CNS: Ototoxicity—tinnitus, dizziness, vertigo, deafness (partially reversible to
irreversible), vestibular paralysis, confusion, disorientation, depression, lethargy,
nystagmus, visual disturbances, headache, numbness, tingling, tremor,
paresthesias, muscle twitching, seizures, muscular weakness, neuromuscular
blockade
• CV: Palpitations, hypotension, hypertension
• GI: Hepatic toxicity, nausea, vomiting, anorexia, weight loss, stomatitis,
increased salivation
• GU: Nephrotoxicity
• Hematologic: Leukemoid reaction, agranulocytosis, granulocytosis, leukopenia,
leukocytosis, thrombocytopenia, eosinophilia, pancytopenia, anemia, hemolytic
anemia, increased or decreased reticulocyte count, electrolyte disturbances
• Hypersensitivity: Purpura, rash, urticaria, exfoliative dermatitis, itching
• Local: Pain, irritation, arachnoiditis at IM injection sites
• Other: Fever, apnea, splenomegaly, joint pain, superinfections
Ophthalmic preparations
• Local: Transient irritation, burning, stinging, itching, angioneurotic edema,
urticaria, vesicular and maculopapular dermatitis
Topical dermatologic preparations
• Local: Photosensitization, superinfections

Interactions
Drug-drug
• Increased ototoxic, nephrotoxic, neurotoxic effects with other aminoglycosides,
cephalothin, potent diuretics, cephalosporins, vancomycin, methoxyflurane,
enflurane
• Increased neuromuscular blockade and muscular paralysis with anesthetics,
nondepolarizing neuromuscular blocking drugs, succinylcholine, citrate-
anticoagulated blood
• Potential inactivation of both drugs if mixed with beta-lactam–type antibiotics
(space doses with concomitant therapy)
• Increased bactericidal effect with penicillins, cephalosporins (to treat some gram-
negative organisms and enterococci), carbenicillin, ticarcillin (to treat
Pseudomonas infections)

Nursing considerations
Assessment
• History: Allergy to any aminoglycosides; renal or hepatic disease; preexisting
hearing loss; active infection with herpes, vaccinia, varicella, fungal infections,
 myobacterial infections (ophthalmic preparations); myasthenia gravis;
parkinsonism; infant botulism; lactation, pregnancy
• Physical: Site of infection; skin color, lesions; orientation, reflexes, eighth cranial
nerve function; P, BP; R, adventitious sounds; bowel sounds, liver evaluation;
urinalysis, BUN, serum creatinine, serum electrolytes, liver function tests, CBC

Interventions
• Give by IM route if at all possible; give by deep IM injection.
• Culture infected area before therapy.
• Use 2 mg/mL intrathecal preparation without preservatives, for intrathecal use.
• Avoid long-term therapies because of increased risk of toxicities. Reduction in
dose may be clinically indicated.
• Patients with edema or ascites may have lower peak concentrations due to
expanded extracellular fluid volume.
• Cleanse area before application of dermatologic preparations.
• Ensure adequate hydration of patient before and during therapy.
• Monitor renal function tests, CBCs, serum drug levels during long-term therapy.
Consult with prescriber to adjust dosage.

Teaching points
• Apply ophthalmic preparations by tilting head back; place medications into
conjunctival sac and close eye; apply light pressure on lacrimal sac for 1 min.
Cleanse area before applying dermatologic preparations; area may be covered if
necessary.
• These side effects may occur: Ringing in the ears, headache, dizziness (reversible;
use safety measures if severe); nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite (eat frequent
small meals, perform frequent mouth care); burning, blurring of vision with
ophthalmic preparations (avoid driving or performing dangerous activities if
visual effects occur); photosensitization with dermatologic preparations (wear
sunscreen and protective clothing).
• Report pain at injection site, severe headache, dizziness, loss of hearing, changes
in urine pattern, difficulty breathing, rash or skin lesions; itching or irritation
(ophthalmic preparations); worsening of the condition, rash, irritation
(dermatologic preparation).

Adverse effects in Italic are most common; those in Bold are life-threatening.