Pharmacy Guide

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Pharmacy Guide

Patient leaflets and SmPCs, drug interaction checker, official dosages and NHS pharmacy opening hours — all in one place.

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Gentamicin 40mg/ml Solution for Injection or Infusion

⚠ This medicine appears to have been discontinued

The electronic medicines compendium (emc) no longer publishes a Summary of Product Characteristics for this product, which usually means it is no longer marketed in the UK. The patient leaflet below is kept for reference, but the product may not be available.

If you were prescribed this medicine, other products containing Gentamicin sulfate may still be available. Do not stop your treatment — ask your pharmacist or GP what to use instead.

Active substance: Gentamicin sulfate

Equivalent medicines (same active substance, strength and form)

Source: electronic medicines compendium (emc)
Official leaflet: Read the PIL on emc

What it is and what it is used for

for The name of this medicine is Gentamicin 10mg/ml Solution for Injection or Infusion and Gentamicin 40mg/ml Solution for Injection or Infusion (called "gentamicin" in this leaflet). It contains a medicine called gentamicin sulfate. This belongs to a group of antibiotics called aminoglycosides. Gentamicin is used to treat infections caused by bacteria. This includes infections in:

  • Your urinary tract (including your kidneys or bladder)
  • Your chest (including your lungs)
  • Your abdomen (including your gut)
  • Your brain and spinal cord
  • Your blood – this is sometimes called 'bacteraemia' or 'septicaemia'
  • Newborn babies.

What you need to know before you take it

e gentamicin Do not take Gentamicin if:

  • You are allergic (hypersensitive) to gentamicin, any other antibiotics or to any of the other ingredients of this medicine (see section 6). Signs of an allergic reaction include: a rash, swallowing or breathing problems, swelling of your lips, face, throat and tongue
  • You have myasthenia gravis. This is a disease that causes muscle weakness. Do not use this medicine if any of the above applies to you. If you are not sure, talk to your doctor or nurse before using gentamicin. Warning and precautions Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking Gentamicin if:
  • You are pregnant, think you may be pregnant or are planning to have a baby
  • You are breast-feeding or are planning to breast-feed
  • You have any muscle weakness problems
  • You are extremely overweight (obese)
  • You have kidney problems
  • You have cystic fibrosis
  • You are elderly (over 65 years of age) or the patient is less than 1 year old
  • You know (or think) you have a mitochondrial disease (mutations in the parts of your cells which help make energy). Certain mitochondrial diseases may increase your risk of hearing loss with this product
  • If you have, or have a maternal history of mitochondrial mutation disease (a genetic condition) or loss of hearing due to antibiotic medicines, you are advised to inform your doctor or pharmacist before you take an aminoglycoside; certain mitochondrial mutations may increase your risk of hearing loss with this product. Your doctor may recommend genetic testing before administration of Gentamicin
  • You experience severe diarrhoea
  • You develop severe skin reactions such as Stevens-Johnson Syndrome (SJS) or toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) as described in section 4 ''Possible side effects''. If you have symptoms of a severe skin reaction, contact your doctor or nurse immediately. Your doctor will need to monitor you before, during and shortly after your treatment. Your doctor may check your hearing, balance, how your kidneys are working and the amount of gentamicin in your blood. This is to prevent damage to your ears and/or kidneys and is particularly important if you have kidney problems, are obese, suffer from cystic

The following information is intended for medical or healthcare professionals only: Monitoring To avoid adverse events, continuous monitoring (before, during and after treatment) of renal function (serum creatinin, creatinin clearance), control of function of vestibule and cochlea as well as hepatic and laboratory parameters is recommended. In order to reduce the risk of nephrotoxicity and ototoxicity, the following instructions should be considered:

  • Regular assessment of auditory, vestibular and renal function is particularly necessary in patients with additional risk factors. Impaired hepatic function or auditory function, bacteraemia and fever have been reported to increase the risk of ototoxicity. Volume depletion or hypotension and liver disease have been reported as additional risk factors for nephrotoxicity.

fibrosis or are over 65 years of age, or the patient is less than 1 year old. If you are not sure if any of the above applies to you, talk to your doctor or nurse before using gentamicin. Other medicines and Gentamicin Tell your doctor or nurse if you are taking, have recently taken or might take any other medicines. This includes medicines you buy without a prescription, including herbal medicines. This is because gentamicin can affect the way some other medicines work. Also, some medicines can affect the way gentamicin works. In particular tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following:

  • Medicines used to thin the blood such as warfarin
  • Water tablets or injections (diuretics) such as furosemide or etacrynic acid
  • Amphotericin B – used to treat fungal infections
  • Cephalosporin antibiotics such as cephaloridine – used to treat bacterial infections
  • Ciclosporin – used in organ transplants or for severe skin problems
  • Neostigmine or pyridostigmine – used to treat Myasthenia Gravis
  • Muscle relaxants – sometimes used during operations which need an anaesthetic
  • Indometacin – used to treat pain or swelling
  • Bisphosphonates – used to treat osteoporosis
  • Cisplatin (used to treat some cancers)
  • Botulinum toxin – used to lower the activity of overactive muscles. This is also sometimes used in cosmetic procedures (botox). These medicines may increase the chances of getting certain side effects. If you are unsure about any of the above, consult your doctor or nurse. Pregnancy and breast-feeding Gentamicin is not recommended during pregnancy or breast-feeding. Ask your doctor or nurse for advice before having this medicine if:
  • You are pregnant, think you may be pregnant or are planning to have a baby
  • You are breast-feeding or are planning to breast-feed. Gentamicin 10mg/ml contains sodium metabisulfite, which may rarely cause severe allergic reactions and difficulty in breathing. This medicine contains 0,78mg of sodium per ampoule (less than 23mg per ampoule), i.e. it is essentially sodium free. 3. How to take Gentamicin Gentamicin is always given to you by a doctor or nurse. This is because it needs to be given as an injection. Using this medicine Your doctor will decide how much to give you, depending on your weight. The correct dose also depends on the type of infection and any other illnesses you may have, in particular diseases of the kidney. Tests Blood samples will be taken by your doctor or nurse to check the dose is right for you. You should not receive Gentamicin if these blood tests cannot be performed. You may also need tests to check your hearing and balance. Elderly or obese people, newborns, people with impaired kidney function and those with cystic fibrosis should be particularly closely monitored when using this medicine.

How to take it

Adults

  • The usual daily dose in adults is 3-5mg for each kg of body weight
  • This is given either as one single dose (preferred) or split into two or three daily doses
  • This dose may be increased or decreased by your doctor depending on your illness and the results of your blood tests
  • If you have kidney problems your doctor may give you a lower dose or may prolong the interval between doses.
  • Monitoring of renal function before, during and after treatment.
  • Dosage strictly according to creatinine clearance (or serum creatinine concentration). In patients with impaired renal function, the dosage must be adjusted according to renal performance (see section 4.2).
  • In patients with impaired renal function additionally receiving gentamicin locally (inhalation, intratracheal, instillation), the amount of gentamicin absorbed after local administration must also be taken into account for dose adjustment of systemic treatment.
  • Monitoring of serum gentamicin concentrations during therapy in order to avoid that peak levels exceed 10 μg/ml (toxic threshold for the cochleo-vestibular system) with conventional multiple daily dosing or trough levels exceed 2 μg/ml (see section 4.2) when administrating gentamicin twice daily and 1mg/l for a once daily dosing.

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Gentamicin Sulphate 10mg/ml & 40mg/ml Leaflet Wockhardt UK – (w)165mm x (h)480mm DUMMY 9 pt. Gentamicin_Leaflet_107393-8.ai Adobe Illustrator CS5 Myriad Pro Regular / Italic / Bold 6th March, 2024

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CHANGE CONTROL : Version changes due to change in: Size/Layout Regulatory Changes in detail: • New regulatory text

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Non-Regulatory

Use in children and adolescents

Other possible side effects:

Children (aged 1 year and above)

  • The usual daily dose is 3-6mg for each kg of body weight
  • This is given either as one single dose (preferred) or split into two separate doses.

Very rare side effects (may affect less than 1 in 10,000 people)

  • High levels of phosphate and amino acids (so-called Fanconi-like syndrome, associated with high doses given over a long time)

Babies (aged 4 weeks to 1 year)

  • The usual daily dose is 4.5 to 7.5mg for each kg of body weight
  • This is given either as one single dose (preferred) or split into two separate doses.

Not known (frequency cannot be estimated from available data)

  • Changes in the number of blood cells (including anaemia) – shown up in the results of blood tests
  • Changes in the amount of liver enzymes – shown up in the results of blood tests
  • A decrease in the level of magnesium in the blood, associated with prolonged therapy.

Premature babies or new born babies (up to 4 weeks):

  • The usual daily dose is 4 to 7mg for each kg of body weight
  • This is given in one single dose. If you use more gentamicin than prescribed It is most unlikely that you will be given too much medicine by the doctor or nurse. Your doctor or nurse will be checking your progress and checking the medicine that you are given. Ask if you are not sure why you are getting a dose of medicine. If you miss a dose of gentamicin Your doctor or nurse have instructions about when to give you your medicine. It is most unlikely that you will not be given the medicine as it has been prescribed. If you think that you may have missed a dose then talk to your nurse or doctor. If you stop taking gentamicin It is important that the course of treatment your doctor has prescribed is finished. You may start to feel better but it is important to continue your treatment until the doctor advises. If you stop, your infection may get worse again. 4. Possible side effects Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them. Tell your doctor straight away if you notice any of the following serious side effects- you may need urgent medical treatment: Not known (frequency cannot be estimated from available data) Allergic reactions (including serious allergic reactions such as anaphylaxis), which may include:
  • An itchy, lumpy rash (hives) or nettle rash (urticaria)
  • Swelling of the hands, feet, ankles, face, lips or throat which may cause difficulty in swallowing or breathing
  • Fainting, dizziness, feeling lightheaded (low blood pressure). Severe allergic reaction of the skin and mucous membranes accompanied by blistering, peeling, bleeding and reddening of any part of the skin (including the lips, eyes, mouth, nose, genitals, hands or feet) with or without a rash. You may also have flu-like symptoms such as fever, chills or aching muscles. In very severe cases this might affect inner organs and might be life-threatening (Stevens-Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis).

Reporting of side effects If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. You can also report side effects directly via the Yellow Card Scheme at: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store. By reporting side effects you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine

Possible side effects

gets serious or last longer than a few days. Also tell them if you notice any side effects not listed in this leaflet Very common side effects (may affect more than 1 in 10 people)

  • Feeling sick (vomiting). Not known (frequency cannot be estimated from available data)
  • Feeling sick (nausea)
  • Mouth ulcers
  • Rash, itching or a purplish or reddish-brown skin colouring
  • Depression
  • Seeing or hearing things that are not real (hallucinations)
  • Feeling confused, tired or weak
  • Fits.
  • In patients with pre-existing inner ear damage (hearing impairment or balance function impairment), or where treatment is long-term, additional monitoring of the balance function and hearing is required.
  • Prolonged treatment should be avoided. If possible, the duration of therapy should be limited to 7 – 10 days (see section 4.2).
  • Avoid therapy with aminoglycosides immediately subsequent to previous aminoglycoside treatment; if possible, there should be an interval of 7 – 14 days between treatments.
  • If possible, avoid concurrent administration of other potentially ototoxic and nephrotoxic substances. If this is unavoidable, particular careful monitoring of renal function is indicated (see section 4.5).
  • Ensure adequate hydration and urine production.

Not all pack sizes may be marketed. Marketing Authorisation Holder and Manufacturer Marketing Authorisation Holder: Wockhardt UK Ltd, Ash Road North, Wrexham, LL13 9UF, UK. Manufacturer: CP Pharmaceuticals Ltd, Ash Road North, Wrexham, LL13 9UF, UK Other formats: To listen to or request a copy of this leaflet in Braille, large print or audio please call, free of charge: 0800 198 5000 (UK only) Please be ready to give the following information: Product name

Reference Number

Gentamicin 10mg/ml Solution for Injection or Infusion

PL 29831/0659

Gentamicin 40mg/ml Solution for Injection or Infusion

PL 29831/0660

This is a service provided by the Royal National Institute of Blind People. This leaflet was last revised in 03/2024.

107393/8

Instructions for administration and dilution After first opening: from the microbiological point of view, the product should be used immediately. Gentamycin can be diluted with 0.9% sodium chloride or 5% glucose solution. After dilution gentamicin is stable for 24 h at 25°C. Chemical and physical in-use stability has been demonstrated for 24 hours at 25°C. From a microbiological point of view, unless the method of opening/dilution precludes the risk of microbial contamination, the product should be used immediately. If not used immediately, in-use storage times and conditions prior to use are the responsibility of the user.

107393/8

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How to store it

Gentamicin solution for injection or infusion

  • This medicine will be kept by your doctor or nurse in a safe place out of the sight and reach of children
  • Do not use this medicine after the expiry date which is stated on the carton and on the ampoule after "Exp.". The expiry date refers to the last day of that month. If you are not sure when this is, check with your doctor or nurse
  • Do not store this medicine above 25°C. Do not keep this medicine in a fridge or freezer. You will not be asked to store your medicine. It will be brought to you ready to be given straight away
  • Do not throw away any medicines via household waste. These measures will help protect the environment.

Contents of the pack and other information

What gentamicin solution for injection or infusion contains

  • The active substance is gentamicin as gentamicin sulfate
  • The other ingredients are sulfuric acid or sodium hydroxide (for pH adjustment), sodium metabisulfite (E223) and water for injections. Each 2ml ampoule of Gentamicin 10mg/ml Solution for Injection or Infusion contains the equivalent of 20mg of gentamicin. Each 2ml ampoule of Gentamicin 40mg/ml Solution for Injection or Infusion contains the equivalent of 80mg of gentamicin. What gentamicin solution for injection or infusion looks like and content of the pack The medicine is a clear, colourless solution for injection or infusion in 2ml ampoules.

Tell your doctor or nurse as soon as possible if any of the following side effects happen:

Gentamicin 10mg/ml is available in packs containing 5 ampoules.

Very rare side effects (may affect less than 1 in 10,000 people)

  • Acute kidney failure, which may cause you to pass less urine than is normal for you, fluid retention, breathlessness or fatigue/tiredness.

Gentamicin 40mg/ml is available in packs containing 5 or 10 ampoules.

Not known (frequency cannot be estimated from available data)

  • Temporary or irreversible hearing loss or deafness
  • Unusual difficulty in moving which has not happened before
  • Numbness, weakness and pain in the arms and legs (peripheral neuropathy)
  • Blood in the urine
  • Diarrhoea, with or without blood and/or stomach cramps
  • Infection with other gentamicin-resistant germs. Tell your doctor or nurse if any of the following

Frequently asked questions about Gentamicin 40mg/ml Solution for Injection or Infusion

How do I take Gentamicin 40mg/ml Solution for Injection or Infusion?

Gentamicin 40mg/ml Solution for Injection or Infusion comes as injection containing 40mg/ml. Always follow the dose your doctor or pharmacist has given you, and read the leaflet that comes with the medicine.

What is the active substance in Gentamicin 40mg/ml Solution for Injection or Infusion?

The active substance in Gentamicin 40mg/ml Solution for Injection or Infusion is gentamicin sulfate.

Are there equivalent medicines to Gentamicin 40mg/ml Solution for Injection or Infusion?

Medicines with the same active substance, strength and form include: Gentamicin 40mg/ml Solution for Injection/Infusion. They are interchangeable only if your prescriber or pharmacist says so.

Where does this information come from?

This leaflet reproduces the patient information leaflet approved for Gentamicin 40mg/ml Solution for Injection or Infusion, as published on the electronic medicines compendium (emc). The version printed inside your medicine’s packaging is the one that applies to you.

Can I get Gentamicin 40mg/ml Solution for Injection or Infusion without a prescription?

Whether a medicine is available over the counter or on prescription only depends on its licence. Check the leaflet, or ask your pharmacist — they can tell you straight away.

About this leaflet

The text above reproduces the patient information leaflet approved for this medicine, restructured for easier reading.

Medical disclaimer: This page is for information only and does not replace advice from your doctor or pharmacist. Always read the leaflet supplied with your medicine. If you are unwell, call NHS 111; in an emergency, call 999.

Medicines with the same active substance: Gentamicin sulfate (12 medicines)
See every medicine containing this substance, or browse the full A–Z of active substances.
⚕For healthcare professionals — Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC)Full SmPC: dosage, interactions, contraindications, warnings+
Technical information intended for healthcare professionals (doctors and pharmacists). The Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC) is the official document approved by the MHRA/EMA. It does not replace the patient leaflet or a doctor’s advice.

4.1. Therapeutic indications

Indications : gentamicin is indicated in bacteraemia, urinary tract infections, chest infections, severe neonatal infections and other serious systemic infections due to susceptible organisms, in adults and children including neonates.

Please see section 5.1.

Consideration should be given to official local guidance on the appropriate use of antibacterial agents.

4.2. Posology and method of administration

Adults:

Systemic infections: if renal function is not impaired, 3-5 mg/kg/day in divided doses according to severity of infection, adjusting according to clinical response and body weight.

Serious infections: if renal function is not impaired, 5mg/kg daily in divided doses at six or eight hourly intervals. The total daily dose may be subsequently increased or decreased as clinically indicated.

Urinary tract infections: as 'systemic infections'. Or, if renal function is not impaired, 160mg once daily may be used.

Paediatric Patients:

The daily dose recommended in children (aged 1 year and above) and adolescents with normal renal function, is 3-6 mg/kg body weight per day as 1 single dose (preferred) or up to 2 single doses.

The daily dose in infants after the first month of life is 4.5-7.5 mg/kg body weight per day as 1 single dose (preferred) or up to 2 single doses.

The daily dose in neonates is 4-7 mg/kg body weight per day. Due to the longer half-life, neonates are given the required daily dose in 1 single dose.

Elderly:

There is some evidence that elderly patients may be more susceptible to aminoglycoside toxicity whether secondary to previous eighth nerve impairment or borderline renal dysfunction.

Accordingly, therapy should be closely monitored by frequent determination of gentamicin serum levels, assessment of renal function and signs of toxicity.

Renal impairment:

Gentamicin is excreted by simple glomerular filtration. In impaired renal function, the recommended daily dose has to be decreased and adjusted to the renal function.

Nomograms are available for the calculation of the dose, which depends on the patient's age, weight, and renal function

The following table may be useful when treating adults.

Blood Urea

Creatine clearance

Dose and frequency of administration

(mg/100ml)

(mmol/I)

(GFR) (ml/min)

<40

6-7

>70

80mg* 8 hourly

40-100

6-17

30-70

80mg* 12 hourly

100-200

17-34

10-30

80mg* daily

>200

>34

5-10

80mg* every 48 hours

Twice weekly intermittent haemodialysis

<5

80mg* after dialysis

*60mg if body weight <60kg. Frequency of dosage in hours may also be approximated as serum creatine (mg%) x eight or in SI units, as serum creatine (µmol/l) divided by 11. If these dosage guides are used peak serum levels must be measured. Peak levels of gentamicin occur approximately one hour after intramuscular injectable and intravenous injectable. Trough levels are measured just prior to the next injectable. Assay of peak serum levels gives confirmation of adequacy of dosage and also serves to detect levels above 10mg/l, at which the possibility of ototoxicity should be considered. One hour concentrations of gentamicin should not exceed 10mg/l (but should reach 4mg/l), while the pre-dose trough concentration should be less than 2mg/l

Method of administration

The recommended dose and precautions for intramuscular and intravenous administration are identical. Gentamicin when given intravenously should be injected directly into a vein or into the drip set tubing over no less than three minutes. If administered by infusion, this should be over no longer than 20 minutes and in no greater volume of fluid than 100ml.

Monitoring advice:

Serum concentration monitoring of gentamicin is recommended, especially in elderly, in newborns and in patients with impaired renal function. Samples are taken at the end of a dosing interval (trough level). Trough levels should not exceed 2 µg/ml administering gentamicin twice daily and 1 µg/ml for a once daily dose. Please refer to section 4.4

4.3. Contraindications

Hypersensitivity to the active substance(s) or to any of the excipients listed in section 6.1.

Myasthenia gravis.

4.4. Special warnings and precautions for use

Ototoxicity and nephrotoxicity

Ototoxicity has been reported following the use of aminoglycosides, including gentamicin. Symptoms include loss of balance and hearing loss, which may be irreversible (see section 4.8). Important risk factors include renal impairment, high doses, prolonged duration of treatment and age (neonates/infants and possibly the elderly). Due to the potential for ototoxicity and nephrotoxicity, monitoring of vestibule, cochlea and renal function is recommended before, during and shortly after treatment (see section 4.8). Serum levels are determined so as to avoid peak concentrations above 10mg/L and troughs above 1 mg/L when administering gentamicin once daily and 2mg/L when administering gentamicin twice daily.

As there is some evidence that risk of both ototoxicity and nephrotoxicity is related to the level of total exposure, duration of therapy should be the shortest possible compatible with clinical recovery. In some patients with impaired renal function there has been a transient rise in blood-urea-nitrogen which has usually reverted to normal during or following cessation of therapy. It is important to adjust the frequency of dosage according to the degree of renal function.

There have been observed cases of an increased risk of ototoxicity with aminoglycosides administered to patients with mitochondrial mutations, particularly the m.1555A>G mutation, including cases where the patient's aminoglycoside serum levels were within the recommended range. Some cases were associated with a maternal history of deafness and/or mitochondrial mutation. Mitochondrial mutations are rare, and the penetrance of this observed effect is unknown.

In cases of significant obesity gentamicin serum concentrations should be closely monitored and a reduction in dose should be considered. To avoid adverse events, continuous monitoring (before, during and after treatment) of hepatic and laboratory parameters is also recommended.

Gentamicin should only be used in pregnancy if considered essential by the physician (see section 4.6)

Gentamicin should be used with care in conditions characterised by muscular weakness.

There is an increased risk of ototoxicity in patients with mitochondrial DNA mutations (particularly the nucleotide 1555 A to G substitution in the 12S rRNA gene), even if aminoglycoside serum levels are within the recommended range during treatment. Alternative treatment options should be considered in such patients.

In patients with a maternal history of relevant mutations or aminoglycoside induced deafness, alternative treatments or genetic testing prior to administration should be considered.

Superinfection

Treatment with gentamicin may produce an excessive growth of drug-resistant micro-organisms. If this happens, an appropriate treatment should be initiated.

Pseudomembranous colitis

Diarrhoea and pseudomembranous colitis have been observed when gentamicin is combined with other antibiotics. These diagnoses should be considered in every patient that develops diarrhoea during or immediately after treatment. Gentamicin should be discontinued if the patient suffers severe diarrhoea and/or bloody diarrhoea during treatment and an appropriate treatment should be initiated. Drugs that inhibit peristalsis should not be administered (see section 4.8).

Severe subcutaneous adverse reactions (SCARs)

Serious skin reactions including Stevens-Johnson Syndrome (SJS) and toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) have been reported in association with gentamicin treatment. Patients should be informed about the signs and symptoms of serious skin manifestations and monitored closely. Treatment should be discontinued at the first appearance of skin rash, mucosal lesions or any other sign of skin hypersensitivity.

Excipients

This medicine contains 0,78 mg of sodium per ampoule (less than 23 mg per ampoule), i.e. it is essentially sodium free.

Sodium metabisulphite, one of the excipients of this medicinal product, may rarely cause severe hypersensitivity reactions and bronchospasm.

4.5. Interaction with other medicinal products and other forms of interaction

Ototoxicity and nephrotoxicity

Concurrent administration of gentamicin and other potentially ototoxic or nephrotoxic drugs should be avoided. Potent diuretics such as etacrynic acid and furosemide are expected to enhance the risk of ototoxicity whilst amphotericin B, cisplatin and ciclosporin are potential enhancers of nephrotoxicity.

Any potential nephrotoxicity of cephalosporins, and in particular cephaloridine, may also be increased in the presence of gentamicin. Consequently, if this combination is used monitoring of kidney function is advised.

Neuromuscular blockade

Neuromuscular blockade and respiratory paralysis have been reported from administration of aminoglycosides to patients who have received curare-type muscle relaxants during anaesthesia. Concomitant use of gentamicin with drugs with neuromuscular blocking effects, such as botulinum toxin, may increase the risk of toxicity due to enhanced neuromuscular block.

Aminoglycosides such as gentamicin can also act as neuromuscular blockers and may therefore antagonise the effects of neostigmine or pyridostigmine.

The following combinations with gentamicin may require dose adjustment:

• Concomitant use of indomethacin possibly increases plasma concentrations of gentamicin in neonates

• Concomitant use with oral anticoagulants may decrease thrombin levels and increase the risk of bleeding.

• Concomitant use of bisphosphonates with gentamicin may increase the risk of hypocalcaemia

4.6. Fertility, pregnancy and lactation

Pregnancy

There are limited data from the use of aminoglycosides, including gentamicin, in pregnancy.

Gentamicin crosses the placenta, and there is a risk of ototoxicity (vestibulocochlear nerve damage) and/or renal damage in the fetus, as seen in animal studies (see section 5.3). Gentamicin should not be used in pregnancy, except in case of life-threatening situations where expected benefits outweigh possible risks.

In such cases, maternal serum gentamicin concentration monitoring is recommended (see section 4.2). Monitoring of the hearing and renal function of the infants is also recommended.

Breast-feeding

Gentamicin is excreted in human breast milk and was detected in low concentrations in the serum of breast-fed infants, except in cases where the mucous membrane of the infant's stomach and intestines is severely eroded.

In cases of suspected severe mucosal erosion, if the infant is breast-fed during gentamicin treatment, it is recommended to monitor the serum concentration of gentamicin in the infant (see section 4.2). Animal and human data suggest that if the serum gentamicin concentration in the infant exceeds 1 µg/ml either breast-feeding or the gentamicin therapy may need to be discontinued, under medical supervision.

The following effects of gentamicin on the infant's normal gastrointestinal flora are possible and it is recommended to monitor the infant for possible effects such as diarrhoea, candidiasis and bloody stools.

4.7. Effects on ability to drive and use machines

Caution is advised when driving and using machines in view of the possible undesired effects such as dizziness and vertigo.

4.8. Undesirable effects

The following CIOMS frequency rating is used, when applicable:

very common (≥1/10);

common (≥1/100 to <1/10);

uncommon (≥1/1000 to <1/100);

rare (≥1/10 000 to <1/1000);

very rare (<1/10 000),

not known (cannot be estimated from the available data).

Infections and infestations:

Not known: antibiotic-associated colitis (including pseudomembranous colitis), superinfection (caused by gentamicin-resistant bacteria)

Blood and lymphatic system disorders:

Not known: anaemia, blood dyscrasias

Immune system disorders:

Not known: hypersensitivity (see section 4.4), anaphylaxis/anaphylactic reaction (including anaphylactic shock)

Metabolism and nutrition disorders:

Not known: hypomagnesaemia on prolonged therapy

Psychiatric disorders:

Not known: depression, hallucinations, confusion

Nervous system disorders:

Not known: central neuropathy (including convulsions, lethargy, encephalopathy), peripheral neuropathy

Ear and labyrinth disorders:

Not known: vestibular damage, transitory hearing loss, irreversible hearing loss, deafness, particularly after exposure to ototoxic drugs or in the presence of renal dysfunction (see section 4.4).

Gastrointestinal disorders:

Very common: vomiting

Not known: stomatitis, nausea

Hepatobiliary disorders:

Not known: abnormal liver function, transaminases increased

Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders:

Not known: Stevens-Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrosis, rash, purpura, urticaria, pruritus

Renal and urinary disorders:

Very rare: acute renal failure, Fanconi-like syndrome in patients treated with a prolonged course of high dose

Not known: nephrotoxicity (usually reversible) has been reported.

Reporting of suspected adverse reactions

Reporting suspected adverse reactions after authorisation of the medicinal product is important. It allows continued monitoring of the benefit/risk balance of the medicinal product. Healthcare professionals are asked to report any suspected adverse reactions via the national reporting system, by the Yellow Card Scheme at: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store.

4.9. Overdose

Haemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis will aid removal from the blood but the former is probably more efficient.

Calcium salts given intravenously have been used to counter the neuromuscular blockade caused by gentamicin.

💬 Ask about this leaflet

Ask anything about Gentamicin 40mg/ml Solution for Injection or Infusion. The assistant answers only from this leaflet — if the leaflet does not cover it, it will say so. It does not give medical advice.

Answers come from the patient leaflet published on the electronic medicines compendium (emc). They are not medical advice. Ask a pharmacist or your GP if you are unsure. For urgent help call NHS 111, or 999 in an emergency.

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