Gentamicin Sulfate
Last Reviewed: Dec 16, 2024
Drug Details
Generic Name:
Common Brands:
Garamycin I.V. (brand name discontinued)
Availability:
Prescription only
Therapeutic Class:
Aminoglycoside antibiotics
Forms:
Injection solution
Administration:
Intramuscular and intravenous administration
Therapeutic Uses:
Serious bacterial infections, including:
- Central nervous system (brain and spinal cord) infections
- Urinary tract infections
- Respiratory infections
- Gastrointestinal infections
- Skin, bone, and soft tissue infections, including burns
Controlled Status:
Not a controlled substance
Gentamicin Drug Class
Gentamicin (jen-ta-mye-sin) is an aminoglycoside antibiotic.
It is effective against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria but is mainly used to treat serious infections caused by Gram-negative organisms such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Proteus species, Citrobacter species, and Klebsiella-Enterobacter-Serratia species. Gentamicin is also effective against some Gram-positive bacteria such as Staphylococcus species.
Bacteria that are resistant to gentamicin include Streptococcus species, Enterococcus species, and anaerobic bacteria such as Bacteroides species and Clostridium species.
Aminoglycosides are also not effective against Salmonella and Shigella species.
Gentamicin Age Range
Gentamicin is approved for use in adults and children. This antibiotic should be used with caution in premature and newborn babies.
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