# Gentamicin

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DRUG INFORMATION

  ADULT
    - Patients with Normal Renal Function Adults: The recommended dosage of Gentamicin
      Sulfate in 0.9% Sodium Chloride Injection for patients with serious infections and
      normal renal function is 3 mg/kg/day administered in three equal doses every eight
      hours (Table 3).
      Source: This line points to a numbered table that this card does not show - read
      that table in the label before you dose. US FDA label for gentamicin (Gentamicin
      Sulfate in Sodium Chloride), section 'dosage and administration', retrieved
      2026-08-29
    - For patients with life-threatening infections, dosages up to 5 mg/kg/day may be
      administered in three or four equal doses.
      Source: US FDA label for gentamicin (Gentamicin Sulfate in Sodium Chloride),
      section 'dosage and administration', retrieved 2026-08-29
    - The dosage should be reduced to 3 mg/kg/day as soon as clinically indicated (Table
      3).
      Source: This line points to a numbered table that this card does not show - read
      that table in the label before you dose. US FDA label for gentamicin (Gentamicin
      Sulfate in Sodium Chloride), section 'dosage and administration', retrieved
      2026-08-29

  CHILD
    - In the neonate with suspected bacterial sepsis or staphylococcal pneumonia, a
      penicillin-type drug is also usually indicated as concomitant therapy with
      gentamicin. During or following gentamicin therapy, paresthesias, tetany, positive
      Chvostek and Trousseau signs and mental confusion have been described in patients
      with hypomagnesemia, hypocalcemia and hypokalemia. When this has occurred in
      infants, tetany and muscle weakness have been described.
      Source: US FDA label for gentamicin (Gentamicin Sulfate in Sodium Chloride),
      section 'pediatric use', retrieved 2026-08-29
    - Gentamicin Sulfate in 0.9% Sodium Chloride Injection is for intravenous use only .
      The patient’s pretreatment body weight should be obtained for calculation of
      correct dosage. The dosage of aminoglycosides in obese patients should be based on
      an estimate of the lean body mass. It is desirable to limit the duration of
      treatment with aminoglycosides to short term.
      Source: US FDA label for gentamicin (Gentamicin Sulfate in Sodium Chloride),
      section 'dosage and administration', retrieved 2026-08-29
    - Patients with Normal Renal Function Adults: The recommended dosage of Gentamicin
      Sulfate in 0.9% Sodium Chloride Injection for patients with serious infections and
      normal renal function is 3 mg/kg/day administered in three equal doses every eight
      hours (Table 3).
      Source: This line points to a numbered table that this card does not show - read
      that table in the label before you dose. US FDA label for gentamicin (Gentamicin
      Sulfate in Sodium Chloride), section 'dosage and administration', retrieved
      2026-08-29

  RENAL IMPAIRMENT
    - In patients with serious systemic infections and renal impairment, it may be
      desirable to administer the antibiotic more frequently but in reduced dosage.
      Source: US FDA label for gentamicin (Gentamicin Sulfate in Sodium Chloride),
      section 'dosage and administration', retrieved 2026-08-29
    - It is important to recognize that deteriorating renal function may require a
      greater reduction of dosage than that specified in the above guidelines for
      patients with stable renal impairment.
      Source: US FDA label for gentamicin (Gentamicin Sulfate in Sodium Chloride),
      section 'dosage and administration', retrieved 2026-08-29
    - The recommended dosage at the end of each dialysis period is 1 to 1.7 mg/kg
      depending upon the severity of infection.
      Source: US FDA label for gentamicin (Gentamicin Sulfate in Sodium Chloride),
      section 'dosage and administration', retrieved 2026-08-29

  HEPATIC IMPAIRMENT
    - No liver-impairment dose in this label. Not a statement that none is needed.
      Source: Read and found silent: the US FDA label for gentamicin (Gentamicin Sulfate
      in Sodium Chloride), retrieved 2026-08-29

  PREGNANCY
    - Aminoglycosides can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman.
      Source: US FDA label for gentamicin (Gentamicin Sulfate in Sodium Chloride),
      section 'pregnancy', retrieved 2026-08-29
    - Aminoglycoside antibiotics cross the placenta and there have been several reports
      of total irreversible bilateral congenital deafness in children whose mothers
      received streptomycin during pregnancy.
      Source: US FDA label for gentamicin (Gentamicin Sulfate in Sodium Chloride),
      section 'pregnancy', retrieved 2026-08-29
    - Serious side effects to mother, fetus, or newborn have not been reported in the
      treatment of pregnant women with other aminoglycosides.
      Source: US FDA label for gentamicin (Gentamicin Sulfate in Sodium Chloride),
      section 'pregnancy', retrieved 2026-08-29

  BREASTFEEDING
    - It is not known whether this drug is excreted in human milk.
      Source: US FDA label for gentamicin (Gentamicin Sulfate in Sodium Chloride),
      section 'nursing mothers', retrieved 2026-08-29
    - Because many drugs are excreted in human milk and because of the potential for
      serious adverse reactions in nursing infants from gentamicin, a decision should be
      made whether to discontinue the drug, taking into account the importance of the
      drug to the mother.
      Source: US FDA label for gentamicin (Gentamicin Sulfate in Sodium Chloride),
      section 'nursing mothers', retrieved 2026-08-29
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Dawaa Reference is a reference for prescribers, not a medical device, and does not replace clinical judgement.

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