Gentamicin (Injection)

The Basics

What is Gentamicin (Injection)?

used to treat serious bacterial infections in many different parts of the body

Brand names for Gentamicin (Injection)

Garamycin

How Gentamicin (Injection) is classified

Anti-Infective Agents, Antibacterial Agents, Aminoglycosides

Gentamicin (Injection) During Pregnancy

Gentamicin (Injection) pregnancy category

Category DNote that the FDA has deprecated the use of pregnancy categories, so for some medications, this information isn’t available. We still think it’s useful to list historical info, however, given what a common proxy this has been in the past.

What we know about taking Gentamicin (Injection) while pregnant

Aminoglycosides can cause fetal harm whenadministered to a pregnant woman. Aminoglycoside antibiotics cross the placenta, and there havebeen several reports of total irreversible bilateralcongenital deafness in children whose mothersreceived streptomycin during pregnancy. Seriousside effects to mother, fetus, or newborn have notbeen reported in the treatment of pregnant womenwith other aminoglycosides. Animal reproductionstudies conducted on rats and rabbits did notreveal evidence of impaired fertility or harm to thefetus due to gentamicin sulfate.It is not known whether gentamicin sulfate can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman or can affect reproduction capacity. If gentamicin is used during pregnancy or if the patient becomes pregnant while taking gentamicin, she should be apprised of the potential hazard to the fetus

Taking Gentamicin (Injection) While Breastfeeding

What are recommendations for lactation if you're taking Gentamicin (Injection)?

Gentamicin is poorly excreted into breastmilk. Newborn infants apparently absorb small amounts of gentamicin, but serum levels with typical three times/day dosages are far below those attained when treating newborn infections and systemic effects of gentamicin are unlikely. Older infants would be expected to absorb even less gentamicin. Because there is little variability in the milk gentamicin levels during multiple daily dose regimens, timing breastfeeding with respect to the dose is of little or no benefit in reducing infant exposure. Data are not available with single daily dose regimens. Monitor the infant for possible effects on the gastrointestinal flora, such as diarrhea, candidiasis (e.g., thrush, diaper rash) or rarely, blood in the stool indicating possible antibiotic-associated colitis. Maternal use of an ear drop or eye drop that contains gentamicin presents little or no risk for the nursing infant.[1]

Maternal / infant drug levels

Gentamicin is poorly excreted into breastmilk. Newborn infants apparently absorb small amounts of gentamicin, but serum levels with typical three times/day dosages are far below those attained when treating newborn infections and systemic effects of gentamicin are unlikely. Older infants would be expected to absorb even less gentamicin. Because there is little variability in the milk gentamicin levels during multiple daily dose regimens, timing breastfeeding with respect to the dose is of little or no benefit in reducing infant exposure. Data are not available with single daily dose regimens. Monitor the infant for possible effects on the gastrointestinal flora, such as diarrhea, candidiasis (e.g., thrush, diaper rash) or rarely, blood in the stool indicating possible antibiotic-associated colitis. Maternal use of an ear drop or eye drop that contains gentamicin presents little or no risk for the nursing infant.[1]

Possible effects of Gentamicin (Injection) on milk supply

Relevant published information was not found as of the revision date.

Possible alternatives to Gentamicin (Injection)

None listed