Gentamycin case notes by S.

Dirivien

Brand Name: N/A

Generic Name: Gentamicin

Drug Class: Aminoglycosides

WHAT IS GENTAMICIN USED FOR?

Gentamicin injection is used to prevent or treat a wide variety

of bacterial infections. Gentamicin belongs to a class of drugs known as
aminoglycoside antibiotics. It works by stopping the growth of bacteria.

DOSAGES OF GENTAMICIN

Adult and Pediatric Dosage Forms and Strengths

Injectable solution

 10 mg/ml
 40 mg/ml

Dosage Considerations – Should be Given as Follows:

Susceptible Infections

Adult

Conventional dosing

 3-5 mg/kg/day intravenously/intramuscularly (IV/IM) divided every 8

hours

Extended dosing interval (every 24 hours or more)

 Initial: 4-7 mg/kg/dose IV once/day

 Base dose on lean body weight
 Subsequent doses: Consult pharmacist

Pediatric
 Children 5 years and older: 2-2.5 mg/kg/dose intravenously/intramuscularly
(IV/IM) every 8 hours

Children under 5 years: 2.5 mg/kg/dose IV/IM every 8 hours

Infants under 30 weeks' gestation

 0-28 days: 2.5 mg/kg/day IV/IM

 More than 28 days: 3 mg/kg/day IV/IM

Infants 30-36 weeks' gestation

 0-14 days: 3 mg/kg/day IV/IM

 More than 14 days: 5 mg/kg/day IV/IM divided every 12 hours

Infants over 36 weeks' gestation

 0-7 days: 5 mg/kg/day IV/IM divided every 12 hours

 More than 7 days: 7.5 mg/kg/day IV/IM divided every 8 hours

Surgical Infection

Prophylaxis

Oral/pharyngeal: 1.5 mg/kg intravenously (IV) PLUS clindamycin 600-900 mg

IV

Ruptured viscus: 1.5 mg/kg IV every 8 hours PLUS clindamycin 600 mg IV

every 6 hours

Endocarditis

Prophylaxis

Gastrointestinal (GI), genitourinary (GU) procedure: 1.5 mg/kg

intravenously/intramuscularly (IV/IM) less than 30 minutes before procedure
PLUS ampicillin or vancomycin

Cystic Fibrosis

7.5-10.5 mg/kg/day intravenously/intramuscularly (IV/IM) divided every 8

hours
Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (Off-label)

Loading dose: 2 mg/kg intravenously or intramuscularly (IV or IM)

Maintenance dose: 1.5 mg/kg IV or IM every 8 hours