| Drug Name |
GENTAMICIN |
| Active Ingredient(s) |
GENTAMICIN |
Form(s) and
Strength(s) Available |
OINTMENT; OPHTHALMIC:0.3% |
Product Information / Press Release Gentamicin kills bacteria that cause certain eye infections. This medication is sometimes prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.
What side effects should I watch for?
Although side effects from gentamicin are not common, they can occur. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:
- eye irritation, burning, or stinging
- swelling of the eye
Gentamicin comes as eyedrops and eye ointment. The eyedrops usually are applied every 4-8 hours; the eye ointment usually is applied two to four times a day. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part that you do not understand. Use gentamicin exactly as directed. Do not use more or less of it or use it more often than prescribed by your doctor.
When it is to be taken: Gentamicin ophthalmic usually is used every four hours (eye drops) or two or three times a day (eye ointment). Follow the instructions on your prescription label carefully.
How it should be taken: Gentamicin comes in the form of eye drops and eye ointment. Your prescription label tells you how much ointment or how many drops to apply at each dose.
If you are to use the eye drops, follow these steps:
(1) Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water.
(2) Use a mirror or have someone else put the drops in your eye.
(3) Make sure that the end of the dropper is not chipped or cracked and that the eye drops are clear.
(4) Avoid touching the dropper tip against your eye or anything else.
(5) Hold the dropper tip down at all times to prevent drops from flowing back into the bottle and contaminating the remaining contents.
(6) Lie down or tilt your head back.
(7) Holding the bottle between your thumb and index finger, place the dropper tip as near as possible to your eyelid without touching it.
(8) Brace the remaining fingers of that hand against your cheek or nose.
(9) With the index finger of your other hand, pull the lower lid of the eye down to form a pocket.
(10) Drop the prescribed number of drops into the pocket made by the lower lid and the eye. Place drops on the surface of the eyeball can cause stinging.
(11) close your eye for two to three minutes to keep the medication in the eye.
(12) Replace and tighten the cap right away. Do not wipe or rinse it off.
(13) Wipe off any excess liquid from your cheek with a clean tissue. Wash your hands again.
If you are to use the ointment, follow these instructions:
(1) Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water.
(2) Use a mirror or have someone else apply the ointment.
(3) Avoid touching the tip of the tube against your eye or anything else-the ointment must be kept clean.
(4) Lie down or tilt your head back.
(5) Holding the tube between your thumb and index finger, place the tube as near as possible to your eyelid without touching it.
(6) Brace the remaining fingers of that hand against your cheek or nose.
(7) With the index finger of your other hand, pull the lower lid of your eye down to form a pocket.
(8) Place a small amount of ointment into the pocket made by the lower lid and the eye.
(9) Blink your eye gently.
(10) Replace and tighten the cap right away.
(11) Wipe off any excess ointment from your eyelids and lashes with a clean tissue. Wash your hands again.
Special Instruction :
1. Do not touch the end of the dropper or ointment tube with your hands or let it touch your infected eye.
2. If your infection does not improve within two or three days or if it gets worse, contact your doctor.
3. If you forget to apply a dose, apply the missed dose when you remember it and apply and remaining doses for that day at evenly spaced intervals. However, if you remember a missed dose at the time you are scheduled to apply the next one, do not apply a double dose; apply only the scheduled dose. Then follow your regular medication schedule.
Side Effects : Irritated, burning, or stinging eyes. If this effect occurs right after you put the medication in your eyes and goes away soon after, it is harmless. If it does not go away, stop using the medication and contact your doctor.
Other Precautions :
1. If you ever had a bad reaction to other eye drops or eye ointment, tell your doctor before using gentamicin ophthalmic.
2. Throw away any unused part of your prescription. Do not save it to use for another infection.
3. Do not allow anyone else to use this medication.
4. The infection can be spread to another person if you accidentally contaminate the medication.
Storage Conditions : Keep this medication out of the reach of children and away from heat.
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