You should not use this medicine if you have had an allergic reaction to gentamycin or to similar medicines such as neomycin, kanamycin (Kantrex®), amikacin, or tobramycin. You should not use this medicine if you are pregnant
Uses:
Injectable
Your doctor will prescribe your exact dose and tell you how often it should be given. This medicine is given as a shot into a muscle or into a vein.
A nurse or other trained health professional will give you this medicine. It may also be given by a home health caregiver.
You may be taught how to give your medicine at home. Make sure you understand all instructions before giving yourself an injection. Do not use more medicine or use it more often than your doctor tells you to.
Use a new needle and syringe each time you inject your medicine.
Drink extra fluids so you will pass more urine while you are using this medicine. This will keep your kidneys working well and help prevent kidney problems.
Never share your medicine with anyone.
If a dose is missed:
This medicine needs to be given on a fixed schedule. If you miss a dose or forget to use your medicine, call your doctor or pharmacist for instructions.
Storage:
If you store this medicine at home, keep it at room temperature, away from heat and direct light.
Throw away used needles in a hard, closed container that the needles cannot poke through. Keep this container out of the reach of children and pets.
Keep all medicine out of the reach of children.
Special precautions:
Before taking, tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to any medications. tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking. tell your doctor if you have or have ever had heart failure or liver disease. tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking, call your doctor
Make sure your doctor knows if you are also using cisplatin (Platinol®), other antibiotics, or diuretics ("water pills") such as furosemide, Edecrin®, Lasix®, Norvasc®.
Warnings:
Using this medicine while you are pregnant can harm your unborn baby. Use an effective form of birth control to keep from getting pregnant. If you think you have become pregnant while using the medicine, tell your doctor right away.
Make sure your doctor knows if you are breastfeeding, or if you have kidney disease, myasthenia gravis, congestive heart failure, blood problems, or are allergic to sulfites.
Your doctor will need to check your progress at regular visits while you are using this medicine. Be sure to keep all appointments.
Make sure any doctor or dentist who treats you knows that you are using this medicine.
Some side effects listed below may happen after you stop using this medicine.
Side Effects:
Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:
Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in face or hands, swelling or tingling in the mouth or throat, tightness in chest, trouble breathing
Dark-colored urine or pale stools
Decrease in how much or how often you urinate
Dizziness, trouble standing or walking
Muscle twitching, spasms, or weakness
Seizures
Skin tingling, or numbness in the hands, arms, legs, or feet
Trouble hearing, ringing or buzzing in the ears
Yellow skin or eyes
Pain, swelling, or redness where the shot is given
