Garamycin

Garamycin is used in injection form for the treatment of serious bacterial infections in different organs of the body. 

Gentamicin belongs to a group of antibiotics called aminoglycosides. It kills or prevents the growth of bacteria. However, this medicine will not work for colds, flu, or other virus infections.

Gentamicin may also cause some serious adverse effects, including nephrotoxicity (kidney problem) and hearing problems. Newborn infants and elderly people are more prone to these side effects. This medicine should therefore only be started under the supervision of a doctor.

This product is available in the following dosage forms:

• Solution
• Injectable

Before using Garamycin, you must know all about the risks and complications associated with it. Your doctor will consider these risks before prescribing the drug and will inform you about them.

Following factors should be considered before taking this drug:

• Allergies: If you have had an allergic reaction to this drug in the past, inform your doctor. You should also tell your healthcare provider if you are allergic to any other drugs or food products.

• Age specific problems: The data regarding the effects of this medicine specific to the pediatric age group is not yet available; however gentamicin should be used with caution in children.

  The studies specific to the geriatric age group have not revealed any excessive adverse, that would limit the use of this drug in old age group. However, this age group is more prone to getting kidney problems.

• Pregnancy: Regarding the safety of usage of this drug during pregnancy, it comes under “D” category, which means that clinical trials on animals have revealed harmful effects to the developing fetus but it may be used very cautiously in life threatening situations.

• Drug Interactions: Certain drugs should not be used together because they can interact inside the body which can have a harmful effect. On the other hand, certain drugs are allowed to be used together.

  So, you should tell your doctor about any other medications you are taking. If there is a chance of interaction between those two drugs, the doctor may change the dose or may prescribe an alternative drug.

  The use of gentamicin with following drugs is usually not recommended:

  • Cidofovir
  • Alcuronium
  • Atracurium
  • Decamethonium
  • Cisatracurium
  • Colistimethate Sodium
  • Doxacurium
  • Foscarnet
  • Ethacrynic Acid
  • Fazadinium
  • Gallamine
  • Furosemide
  • Hexafluorenium
  • Mivacurium
  • Lysine
  • Metocurine
  • Pancuronium
  • Rocuronium
  • Pipecuronium
  • Rapacuronium
  • Succinylcholine
  • Vecuronium
  • Tubocurarine

  • Vancomycin

    Furthermore, certain medications should not be taken with alcohol or tobacco, which may also result in harmful interactions. Ask your doctor about the concurrent use of this drug along with alcohol or tobacco. 

    You should also inform your doctor about any other medical condition you may be suffering from especially:

• • Kidney disease — Use with caution.
  • Asthma 
  • Sulfite allergy. his medicine contains sodium metabisulfite which may cause an allergic reaction in patients with these conditions.
  • Hypomagnesemia (low magnesium levels in the blood)
  • Hypocalcemia (low calcium in the blood) 
  • Muscle problems 
  • Hypokalemia (low potassium in the blood) 
  • Nerve problems. May make these conditions worse.
  • Myasthenia gravis (severe muscle weakness) 

To use Garamycin correctly, you must follow all instructions given by your doctor.

Gentamicin is administered through intravenous route by a healthcare provider.

To avoid adverse effects, this drug should be used exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not overuse or misuse this drug and do not use it longer than the recommended time. Read all the instructions mentioned in the medication guide.

In order to decrease the risk of kidney damage, drink a lot of fluids while you are on this medication.

Do not miss any dose. The dose of this drug varies according to the condition of each person. The number of doses per day, the time interval between the doses and the length of time you have to take the medicine depends on your condition individually and all these factors should only be determined by your healthcare provider. Follow each and every instruction of your doctor and also read the label carefully.

Before using Garamycin, there are some precautions you must take.

Gentamicin is known to cause various adverse effects. Therefore, regular follow-up is necessary during and after the treatment.

It is important to allow your doctor to monitor your progress and to make sure that there aren’t any side effects from the medication. Contact your doctor if your symptoms have not improved even after taking the full course of treatment. The doctor may order some blood, urine, hearing and nerve tests in order to check for any side effects of the drug. 

Using this medicine in pregnancy can be harmful to your baby, therefore use an effective birth control method if you are using this medicine for a long time interval.

This medication may cause some serious allergic reactions. It may also lead to hearing problems. Call your doctor right away if you feel any decrease in your hearing ability. Also, tell your doctor if you have any urinary complains like blood in urine, increased frequency of urination etc.

Avoid taking any other medicine unless thoroughly discussed with your doctor. Always ask your doctor before using any prescription, non-prescription or herbal medicine.

As with many medications, there are several potential side effects associated with Garamycin.

All the drugs have a tendency to cause unwanted effects along with its desired effects. Although these side effects may occur only in a handful of patients but if they do occur, contact your physician immediately.

This medication is associated with following side effects:

• Blood in the urine
• Abdominal or stomach cramps or pain
• Back pain
• Agitation
• Black, tarry stools
• Burning, numbness, tingling, or painful sensations
• Blurred or double vision
• Chest pain
• Change in frequency of urination or amount of urine
• Chills
• Continuing ringing or buzzing or other unexplained noise in the ears
• Coma
• Confusion
• Dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position
• Cough
• Difficult or troubled breathing
• Dry mouth
• Difficulty with swallowing
• Drowsiness
• Eye pain
• Hallucinations
• Fast heartbeat
• Fever with or without chills
• Headache
• Hoarseness
• Hearing loss
• Hives
• Increased thirst
• Irritability
• Irregular heartbeats
• Irregular, fast or slow, or shallow breathing
• Itching
• Joint pain
• Muscle cramps in the hands, arms, feet, legs, or face
• Loss of appetite
• Nausea or vomiting
• Mood or mental changes
• Muscle pain or weakness
• Muscle spasms (tetany) or twitching
• Pale or blue lips, fingernails, or skin
• Nervousness
• Puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue
• Numbness and tingling around the mouth, fingertips, or feet
• Pale skin
• Pinpoint red spots on the skin
• Sore throat
• Right upper abdominal or stomach pain and fullness
• Seizures
• Slow or fast heartbeat
• Sensation of spinning
• Skin rash
• Slow or irregular breathing

Seek medical help instantly, if you experience any of these symptoms while on this medication.

Also, contact your healthcare professional immediately, if have overdosed on this drug. If any of these side effects becomes more bothersome or does not go away, contact your doctor.