Drug Name Dosage & Route Action Indication Adverse Effects Contraindication Nursing Responsibility

Special Senses:
GENTAMICIN Moderate to Broad-spectrum Parenteral use History of Assessment & Drug Effects
Ototoxicity (vestibular
SULFATE Severe aminoglycoside restricted to treatment hypersensitivity to or
disturbances, impaired
(jen-ta-mye'sin) Infection antibiotic derived from of serious infections of toxic reaction with any
hearing), optic neuritis. • Lab tests: Perform C&S
Adult: IV/IM 1.5–2 Micromonospora GI, respiratory, and aminoglycoside
CNS: neuromuscular and renal function prior to
mg/kg loading purpurea. Action is urinary tracts, CNS, antibiotic. Safe use
Garamycin, Garamycin blockade: skeletal first dose and periodically
dose followed by usually bacteriocidal. bone, skin, and soft during pregnancy
Ophthalmic, Genoptic muscle weakness, during therapy; therapy may
3–5 mg/kg/d in 2– tissue (including burns) (category C) or
apnea, respiratory begin pending test results.
3 divided doses when other less toxic lactation is not
paralysis (high doses); Determine creatinine
Classifications: Intrathecal 4–8 antimicrobial agents established
arachnoiditis clearance and serum drug
ANTIINFECTIVE; mg preservative are ineffective or are
(intrathecal use). CV: concentrations at frequent
AMINOGLYCOSIDE free q.d. Topical contraindicated. Has
hypotension or intervals, particularly for
ANTIBIOTIC 1–2 drops of been used in
hypertension. GI: patients with impaired renal
solution in eye combination with other
Nausea, vomiting, function, infants (renal
q4h up to 2 drops antibiotics. Also used
transient increase in immaturity), older adults,
q1h or small topically for primary
AST, ALT, and serum patients receiving high doses
amount of and secondary skin
LDH and bilirubin; or therapy beyond 10 d,
ointment b.i.d. or infections and for
hepatomegaly, patients with fever or
t.i.d. superficial infections of
splenomegaly. extensive burns, edema,
Child: IV/IM 6–7.5 external eye and its
Hematologic: Increased obesity.
mg/kg/d in 3–4 adnexa.
or decreased
divided doses
reticulocyte counts; • Repeat C&S if
Intrathecal >3 improvement does not occur
granulocytopenia,
mo, 1–2 mg in 3–5 d; reevaluate therapy.
thrombocytopenia
preservative free
q.d.
(fever, bleeding • Note: Dosages are
tendency), generally adjusted to
Neonate: IV/IM 2.5
thrombocytopenic maintain peak serum
mg/kg q12–24h
purpura, anemia. Body gentamicin concentrations of
as a Whole: 4– 10 g/mL, and trough
Acute Pelvic
Hypersensitivity (rash, concentrations of 1–2 g/mL.
Inflammatory
pruritus, urticaria, Peak concentrations above
Disease
exfoliative dermatitis, 12 g/mL and trough
Adult: IV/IM 2
eosinophilia, burning concentrations above 2 g/mL
mg/kg followed
sensation of skin, drug are associated with toxicity.
by 1.5 mg/kg q8h
fever, joint pains, • Draw blood specimens for
laryngeal edema, peak serum gentamicin
Prophylaxis of
anaphylaxis). concentration 30 min–1h
Bacterial
Urogenital: after IM administration, and
Endocarditis
Nephrotoxicity: 30 min after completion of a
Adult: IV/IM 1.5
proteinuria, tubular 30–60 min IV infusion. Draw
mg/kg 30 min
necrosis, cells or casts blood specimens for trough
before procedure,
in urine, hematuria, levels just before the next IM
may repeat in 8 h
rising BUN, nonprotein or IV dose. Use
Child: IV/IM < 27
nitrogen, serum nonheparinized tubes to
kg, 2 mg/kg 30
creatinine; decreased collect blood.
min before
creatinine clearance.
procedure, may
Other: Local irritation
repeat in 8 h
and pain following IM
use; thrombophlebitis,
abscess,
superinfections,
syndrome of
hypocalcemia (tetany,
weakness,
hypokalemia,
hypomagnesemia).