Brand Names

Category

• Antibacterial, otic

Description

Gentamicin (jen-ta-MYE-sin) belongs to the family of medicines called antibiotics. Gentamicin otic preparations are used to treat infections of the ear canal.

Gentamicin is available only with your doctor's prescription, in the following dosage form:

Otic
• Solution (Canada)

Before Using This Medicine

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of using the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For gentamicin otic preparations, the following should be considered:

Allergies--Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or to any related antibiotics such as amikacin (e.g., Amikin), gentamicin by injection (e.g., Garamycin), kanamycin (e.g., Kantrex), neomycin (e.g., Mycifradin), netilmicin (e.g., Netromycin), streptomycin, or tobramycin (e.g., Nebcin). Also tell your health care professional if you are allergic to any other substances, such as preservatives.

Pregnancy--Studies with gentamicin have not been done in pregnant women. However, studies in animals have shown that gentamicin causes decreased kidney development, kidney weight, and overall body weight. Before taking this medicine, make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or if you may become pregnant.

Breast-feeding--Gentamicin otic preparations have not been reported to cause problems in nursing babies.

Children--There is no specific information comparing use of gentamicin otic solution in children up to 6 years of age with use in other age groups.

Older adults--Many medicines have not been studied specifically in older people. Therefore, it may not be known whether they work exactly the same way they do in younger adults. Although there is no specific information comparing use of this medicine in the elderly with use in other age groups, this medicine is not expected to cause different side effects or problems in older people than it does in younger adults.

Other medical problems--The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of gentamicin otic preparations. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

• Any other ear infection or problem (including punctured or absent eardrum)--Use of gentamicin otic preparations in persons with this condition may lead to systemic absorption, and increase the chance of side effects

Proper Use of This Medicine

To use:

• Lie down or tilt the head so that the infected ear faces up. Gently pull the earlobe up and back for adults (down and back for children) to straighten the ear canal. Drop the medicine into the ear canal. Keep the ear facing up for about 1 or 2 minutes to allow the medicine to come into contact with the infection. A sterile cotton plug may be gently inserted into the ear opening to prevent the medicine from leaking out.
• To keep the medicine as germ-free as possible, do not touch the applicator tip to any surface (including the ear). Also, keep the container tightly closed.

To help clear up your infection completely, keep using this medicine for the full time of treatment , even if your symptoms have disappeared. Do not miss any doses .

Dosing--The dose of gentamicin otic will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label . The following information includes only the average doses of gentamicin otic. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

• For ear drops dosage form:
  • For ear infections:
    • Adults and children 6 years of age and older--Place three or four drops in the infected ear three times a day.
    • Children younger than 6 years of age--Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.

Missed dose--If you miss a dose of this medicine, apply it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule.

Storage--To store this medicine:

• Keep out of the reach of children.
• Store away from heat and direct light.
• Keep the medicine from freezing.
• Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed. Be sure that any discarded medicine is out of the reach of children.

Precautions While Using This Medicine

If your symptoms do not improve within a few days, or if they become worse, check with your doctor.

Side Effects of This Medicine

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

Less common

Itching, redness, swelling, or other sign of irritation not present before use of this medicine

Other side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. However, check with your doctor if either of the following side effects continues or is bothersome:

Less common

Burning or stinging in the ear

Other side effects not listed above may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your doctor.

Revised: 6/09/99

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