Gentamicin Sulphate Injection

• Type: Antibiotic

• Drug Class: Aminoglycoside antibiotic

• Form: Sterile solution for intravenous (IV) or intramuscular (IM) injection

How It Works

• Gentamicin binds irreversibly to the 30S subunit of bacterial ribosomes.

• This interferes with protein synthesis, causing:

  • Misreading of mRNA

  • Defective protein production

  • Ultimately bacterial cell death (bactericidal action)

• It is most effective against aerobic gram-negative bacteria.

Common Uses

Gentamicin injection is typically used for serious bacterial infections such as:

• Sepsis (bloodstream infections)

• Respiratory tract infections (hospital-acquired pneumonia)

• Urinary tract infections (complicated or severe)

• Intra-abdominal infections (in combination with other antibiotics)

• Endocarditis (in combination with penicillin or vancomycin)

• Bone and joint infections

• Neonatal sepsis (frequently used in pediatric settings)

Advantages

• Rapid bactericidal effect

• Synergistic activity with beta-lactam antibiotics for some infections (e.g., enterococcal endocarditis)

• Useful for multidrug-resistant gram-negative infections

Possible Side Effects

Common / Important:

• Nephrotoxicity (kidney damage – usually reversible if caught early)

• Ototoxicity (hearing loss, tinnitus, balance problems – may be permanent)

• Injection site pain

Less Common:

• Neuromuscular blockade (very rare, but can cause muscle weakness or respiratory depression)

• Rash or allergic reaction

Precautions

• Monitor kidney function (serum creatinine) during therapy

• Measure serum drug levels to avoid toxicity (especially in prolonged treatment)

• Use cautiously in patients with kidney disease, hearing problems, or neuromuscular disorders

• Avoid or use with extreme caution in pregnancy unless clearly needed (risk to fetus’s hearing/renal function)

• Ensure adequate hydration to reduce kidney toxicity risk