Gentamicin - Uses, Dosage, Side Effects and More

Gentamicin is an antibiotic that is effective against many types of bacteria. It is commonly used to treat severe bacterial infections.
Category
Drug
Where to get
Available with a prescription from pharmacies or healthcare providers.
Prepared by Nick Harper, reviewed by Dr. David James Simpson

Gentamicin FAQ

How does gentamicin work?

Gentamicin is a bactericidal antibiotic that works by binding the 30S subunit of the bacterial ribosome, negatively impacting protein synthesis. The primary mechanism of action is generally accepted to work through ablating the ability of the ribosome to discriminate on proper transfer RNA and messenger RNA interactions.

Does gentamicin work if you have a cold?

Gentamicin belongs to the class of medicines known as aminoglycoside antibiotics. It works by killing bacteria or preventing their growth. However, this medicine will not work for colds, flu, or other virus infections. Gentamicin injection is usually used for serious bacterial infections for which other medicines may not work.

Is gentamicin available as a generic medication?

It is available as a generic medication. Gentamicin is active against a wide range of bacterial infections, mostly Gram-negative bacteria including Pseudomonas, Proteus, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Enterobacter aerogenes, Serratia, and the Gram-positive Staphylococcus.

What is the backbone of gentamicin?

Since gentamicin is derived from the species Micromonospora, the backbone for this antibiotic is the aminocyclitol 2-deoxystreptamine. This six carbon ring is substituted at the carbon positions 4 and 6 by the amino sugar molecules cyclic purpurosamine and garosamine, respectively.

What is gentamicin and what is it used for?

Gentamicin is a powerful antibiotic that we use to treat certain types of serious bacterial infections. You have been prescribed gentamicin because it is the appropriate antibiotic for your infection. When serious infection is suspected doctors aim to give gentamicin as soon as possible.

How to take gentamicin?

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. 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 kidney.

Can gentamicin be used to treat Gram-positive bacterial infection?

The beta-lactams break the bacterial cell wall and allow gentamicin to enter the bacterial cytoplasm where it can access the ribosomal target, explaining why this combination can be useful against gram-positive bacterial infection. Gentamicin, an aminoglycoside antibiotic, is bactericidal.

Is gentamicin bactericidal?

Gentamicin, an aminoglycoside antibiotic, is bactericidal. Gentamicin passes through the gram-negative membrane in an o xygen-dependent active transport. As oxygen is required, this is why aminoglycosides are not effective in anaerobic bacteria.

Gentamicin References

If you want to know more about Gentamicin, consider exploring links below:

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