Gentamicin: Uses, Side Effects & Brands in Pakistan
Gentamicin is an aminoglycoside antibiotic. It is a prescription medicine used for serious infections such as septicaemia and kidney infections, skin infections, eye infections and ear infections. In Pakistan it is available as injections, drops and cream, made by 3 different manufacturers. On this page you can read how it works, its common side effects and precautions, and compare the brands and prices available at Medimart.
How Gentamicin works
Gentamicin enters bacteria and binds to the machinery they use to make proteins. The bacteria then produce faulty proteins and die. It is particularly active against many gram-negative bacteria, which is why it is valued for severe infections treated in hospital.
What is Gentamicin used for?
- Serious infections such as septicaemia and kidney infections
- Skin infections
- Eye infections
- Ear infections
Gentamicin comes in several forms. Injections are used in hospital for serious bacterial infections such as blood infections, severe urinary and kidney infections and infections after surgery, often alongside another antibiotic. Creams and ointments treat bacterial skin infections, while eye and ear drops are used for bacterial conjunctivitis and outer ear infections. It is not effective against viruses or fungi.
Side effects of Gentamicin
Side effects of Gentamicin depend on the form you use. The more common ones include:
- Stinging, burning or itching where applied
- Redness or irritation of the skin or eye
- Temporary blurred vision after eye drops
- Nausea or vomiting with injections
- Skin rash
With injections, tell the medical team at once about ringing in the ears, hearing loss, dizziness or unsteadiness, or passing much less urine than usual. With any form, get urgent help for swelling of the face or throat or difficulty breathing.
Precautions and warnings
- Injections need careful monitoring of blood levels and kidney function, especially in older people and those with kidney disease.
- Tell your doctor if you have hearing problems, myasthenia gravis or kidney disease.
- Do not use the ear drops if you have, or might have, a perforated eardrum unless a specialist has advised it.
- Use creams and drops only for as long as prescribed, as longer use can encourage resistant infections.
- Gentamicin injections can harm an unborn baby's hearing, so tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Frequently asked questions about Gentamicin
What is the price of Gentamicin in Pakistan?
At Medimart, Gentamicin products currently in stock range from Rs 28 to Rs 543 per pack, depending on the brand, strength and pack size. The lowest-priced option right now is Aminogent 0.001 Cream at Rs 28. Prices are updated regularly, so the product list on this page always shows the latest price.Which brands of Gentamicin are available in Pakistan?
Gentamicin is sold in Pakistan under brand names such as Gentic (Bosch Pharmaceuticals Ltd), Gentamycin (Isis), Gentamicin (Lahore Chemical & Pharmaceutical Works Ltd), Aminogent (Valor Pharmaceuticals) and Gentanix (Biogen Pharma).Do I need a prescription for Gentamicin?
Yes. Gentamicin is a prescription medicine in Pakistan. Use it only when a doctor has prescribed it, at the dose and for the time they advise.
Can Gentamicin be used during pregnancy?
Gentamicin injections can harm an unborn baby's hearing, so tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Are all Gentamicin brands the same?
Brands that contain the same amount of Gentamicin in the same form are expected to work in the same way, although inactive ingredients, pack sizes and prices differ. Ask your doctor or pharmacist before switching from one brand to another.
Gentamicin brands and prices in Pakistan
Medimart lists 9 products containing Gentamicin from different manufacturers. Compare strengths, pack sizes and prices below and order online with cash on delivery.
