Gentamicin Flashcards
What class of medication is gentamicin?
Aminoglycoside antibiotic
What other aminoglycosides are used?
Neomycin
Tobramycin
What is the mechanism of action of aminoglycosides?
Targets the bacterial 30s ribosomal unit to interfere with peptide formation
What is the overall effect of aminoglycosides?
Blocks bacterial protein synthesis, leading to cell death
What bacteria are aminoglycosides effective against?
Aerobic bacteria (inaffective against anaerobes as they require oxygen dependent transport to enter the bacterial cell)
What are the clinical indications for gentamicin?
Meningitis and septicaemia
Biliary tract infection
Acute pyelonephritis
Endocarditis
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
How is gentamicin given?
Gentamicinc must be given IV or IM, as it is not well absorbed from the gut
What is a typical dose of gentamicin?
3-5mg/kg daily in divided doses every 8 hours
or 5-7mg/kg once daily
What are the contra-indications to gentamicin?
Myasthenia Gravis
Avoid in pregnancy and renal impairment
What are the side effects of gentamicin?
Nephrotoxicity
Ototoxicity
How is gentamicin monitored?
Serum concentration should be measured regularly
Renal function should be measured at baseline
Regularly check U&Es during treatment
When are gentamicin levels checked?
Blood samples should be taken 1 hour after IV or IM administration, and just before the next dose (trough level)
