Gentamicin
About
Gentamicin is an antibiotic medicine that treats bacterial infections of the eye and ear. It is used to treat infections like conjunctivitis (inflammation of the mucous membrane (conjunctiva) of the eye), keratitis (inflammation of the cornea), keratoconjunctivitis (inflammation of conjunctiva and cornea), blepharitis (inflammation of the eyelids), blepharoconjunctivitis (inflammation of conjunctiva and eyelids), corneal ulcers, and otitis externa (inflammation of the ear).
Gentamicin is composed of Gentamicin, an aminoglycoside antibiotic. It prevents bacteria from synthesising essential proteins required to carry out vital functions. It has broad-spectrum activity against aerobic Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria.
Gentamicin is for external use only. Common side effects of Gentamicin, when used as eye drops, include local sensitivity in the eye, irritation, itching, redness, burning or a stinging sensation at the application site, and blurred vision. Side effects of Gentamicin, when used as ear drops, include local sensitivity in the ear, burning or stinging sensation, itching, skin inflammation, and vestibular disorder/dizziness. These side effects may not occur in every patient using this medication and differ individually. If the side effects persist longer or worsen, please seek a doctor's advice.
Let your doctor know if you are allergic to Gentamicin or any other medications. Please inform your doctor if you have any liver/kidney diseases, myasthenia gravis (muscle weakness), hearing problems, and a perforated eardrum before using Gentamicin. Pregnant and breastfeeding mothers should consult the doctor before starting Gentamicin. This medicine may cause temporary blurred vision; hence drive only when you are alert and have clear vision. Avoid or limit alcohol consumption during the treatment since Gentamicin may cause dizziness. Gentamicin should be used for children only when advised by a doctor.
Uses of Gentamicin
Medicinal Benefits
Gentamicin treats various bacterial infections of the eye and ear. Gentamicin consists of Gentamicin, an antibiotic that prevents the synthesis of essential proteins required by bacteria to carry out vital functions. Gentamicin may also be given as a treatment to prevent infections in the injured eye or ear.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Gentamicin
Eye drops:
- Local sensitivity in the eye
- Irritation
- Itching
- Redness
- Burning or a stinging sensation
- Blurred vision
Ear drops:
- Local sensitivity in the ear
- Burning or stinging sensation
- Itching
- Skin inflammation
- Vestibular disorder/dizziness
In-Depth Precautions and Warning
Drug Warnings
Inform your doctor if you have any allergic reactions to Gentamicin before starting Gentamicin. Avoid touching the dropper with bare hands or taking it closer to the eyelids/ear while administering since it contaminates the dropper tip and solution. If you wear contact lenses, remove them while administering the medicine into the eye. It is advised to check with your doctor before using Gentamicin if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Avoid driving or operating machines since the administration of Gentamicin may cause temporary blurred vision for a while. Avoid or limit alcohol consumption during the treatment since Gentamicin may cause dizziness. Gentamicin should be used for children only when advised by a doctor.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interaction: Gentamicin may interact with water pills (ethacrynic acid, furosemide), antifungals (amphotericin), immunosuppressants (cyclosporin), chemotherapy medicines (cisplatin), cephalosporins, and muscle relaxants.
Drug-Food Interaction: No interactions were found.
Drug-Disease Interaction: Brief your doctor if you have a medical history of allergic reactions to medicines, liver/kidney problems, hearing problems, and a perforated eardrum before starting Gentamicin.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
cautionAlcohol consumption may worsen the side effects like dizziness; hence please avoid or limit alcohol intake while being treated with Gentamicin.
Pregnancy
cautionIt is advised to consult your doctor if you plan to conceive or are already pregnant before starting Gentamicin.
Breast Feeding
cautionThere are limited studies on how Gentamicin affects breastfed infants. Please consult your doctor before using Gentamicin if you are breastfeeding.
Driving
cautionGentamicin may cause side effects like blurry vision or dizziness, affecting your driving ability. Do not drive or operate machinery in such cases. Drive only when you are alert and have clear vision.
Liver
cautionLet your doctor know if you have any history of liver diseases or hepatic impairment before starting Gentamicin.
Kidney
cautionLet your doctor know if you have any history of kidney diseases before starting Gentamicin.
Children
cautionGentamicin should be used for children only when advised by a doctor.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
Ear infections:
- Manage stress, eat healthily, drink plenty of water, exercise regularly, and get plenty of sleep.
- Eat food rich in antioxidants such as berries, spinach, kidney beans, dark chocolate, etc.
- Know your allergy triggers, such as pollen, dust and other factors.
- Avoid getting things like shampoo, soap, and water into the ear as it can cause itching.
- Do not poke or scratch the ear as it can cause damage to the ear canal, leading to inflammation. The inflamed skin can be infected by bacteria or fungi, which can cause infections in the ear.
Eye infections:
- Do not rub your eyes even though some ophthalmic drugs make your eye itchy.
- If you wear contact lenses: Clean and replace contact lenses more often. Never share contact lenses. Always remember to wash your hands before inserting and after removing the contact lens.
- Avoid staring at the digital screens for longer durations. Rest your eyes every 20 minutes.
- Avoid or limit the intake of alcohol and caffeine.
Special Advise
It is advised to contact your doctor if the infection symptoms persist or worsen after two weeks of treatment.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Bacterial eye infection: A bacterial eye infection occurs when bacteria invade any part of the eyeball or its surrounding tissues, including the cornea (clear front surface of the eye) and the conjunctiva (thin membrane lining the outer eye and inner eyelids). A bacterial eye infection symptoms include red eyes, pain, swelling of the eyes, watery eyes, itching, and blurry vision. Some very common eye infections are conjunctivitis, stye (bump on the eyelid), uveitis (inflammation of the uvea-middle layer of the eye), marginal keratitis (inflammation of the cornea), and blepharitis.
Bacterial ear infection: Bacterial ear infection occurs when bacteria infect the outer or middle ear. The most common bacterial strains that cause ear infections are Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenza. Symptoms include ear ache (sharp, sudden pain or a dull, continuous pain), feeling of fullness in the ear, ear drainage, and muffled hearing. Treatment may include over-the-counter painkillers, anti-allergic drugs, antibiotics, and steroids.
FAQs
Gentamicin consists of Gentamicin, an antibiotic that prevents the synthesis of essential proteins required by bacteria to carry out vital functions. Thus, it treats bacterial infections of the eye and ear.
It is advised to remove your contact lens while administering eye drops. Also, remember to wash your hands before and after administering eye drops to avoid contamination.
If you use other eye ointments/drops along with Gentamicin, it is advised to maintain a gap of at least 5-10 minutes after each administration. Also, use eye drops before applying any ointments.
Avoid the contact of the dropper or tip with fingers, eyes, and eyelids. Topical eye products, when contaminated by patients with eye diseases, bacterial keratitis (an infection of the cornea) and ocular infections (eye infections) may occur, which result in vision loss.
You must maintain at least a 20-30 minutes gap after instilling Gentamicin if you use more than one ear drop formulation.
