Pharmacological Effect of Streptomycin

Streptomycin is a potent antibiotic used for serious, gram-negative infections. It works by preventing the growth of ribosomes (protein makers) in bacterial cells and is produced from a species of Streptomyces, a group of bacteria found in soil. Selman A. Waksman worked for years to isolate an antibiotic that would kill tuberculosis bacteria. In 1944, streptomycin made from purified Streptomyces griseus was first administered to a human. The drug stopped the tuberculosis, and the patient recovered fully.

Uses

• Streptomycin is used for treatment of serious bacterial infections. They include tuberculosis, infection of the lining of the heart chambers and valves, leprosy, plague, tularemia or rabbit fever, and brucellosis bacteria, which comes from livestock. Streptomycin is also used to treat granuloma inguinale and chancroid, which are sexually transmitted diseases. It can be used to treat infections caused by E. coli, certain types of influenzae, Klebsiella pneumonia strain and Streptococcus bacteria strains.

Side Effects

• Streptomycin crosses the placenta and may cause hearing impairment in children. Adverse reactions include fungal or bacterial superinfection from prolonged use, hypotension, drowsiness, headache, fever, muscle paralysis, skin rash, nausea, vomiting, increase in eosinophils (a type of white blood cell), anemia, arthralgia, weakness, tremor, hearing and/or balance impairment, renal impairment and difficulty breathing.

Dosing

• The maximum dosage of streptomycin is 1 gram injected into a muscle if given on a daily basis. If given two or three times per week, the recommended amount is 1.5 grams maximum per dose.

Resistance

• Because new streptomycin-resistant bacteria can emerge after prolonged use, the antibiotic is sometimes used in combination with drugs like isoniazid, an antibacterial drug; ethambutol, an antibiotic; and aminosalicylic acid, an antibacterial drug. Combination antibiotics are used to prevent the body from developing new bacterial strains of a disease.

Warning

• Streptomycin is only used for serious bacterial infections. It will have no effect on viruses or other types of disease-causing organisms. Prolonged use of this drug can cause serious side effects or secondary diseases as mentioned above. Streptomycin should only be used under the care of a licensed doctor.