Uses of Gentamicin Sulfate Drops

Gentamicin sulfate solution drops are used for the treatment of bacterial infections pertaining to the eye. These include conjunctivitis, keratitis, keratoconjunctivitis, corneal ulcers, blepharitis, blepharoconjunctivitis, acute meibomianitis and dacryocystitis. This generic medication is administered directly into the eye when prescribed.

General Precautions

• Prolonged use of gentamicin sulfate may lead to an abundance of non-susceptible organisms, for example, fungi. Bacterial and fungal corneal ulcers have been known to develop when using gentamicin ophthalmic preparations.

  Most frequently, side effects have included burning and irritation of the eyes when administering the drops, conjunctivitis, conjunctival epithelial defects and conjunctival hyperemia.

  Other side effects that have happened rarely are allergic reactions, thrombocytopenic purpura (a bleeding condition in which the blood does not clot as it should) and hallucinations.

  If there is discharge from the eye while using gentamicin sulfate solution drops, or if there is inflammation or pain, you should stop usage of the medication and consult your physician. As with any eye medications, when using, do not touch the tip of the container to your eye, eyelid or any surface around it. This can spread infection or worsen the eye condition on reapplication of the drops.

Pregnancy Warnings

• Gentamicin can lower body weights, kidney weights and median glomerular counts in rats when given regularly to pregnant rats in daily amounts that are approximately 500 times the maximum recommended human dose. In other words, there are no adequate and studies pertaining to pregnant women that provide definitive information. Gentamicin should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefits justify the potential risk to the fetus. You will most likely want to consult your physician on this before using the medication.

Dosage

• Unless otherwise ordered by your physician, the typical administration of the medicine is one or two drops every four hours. If infection is severe, you can increase the dosage up to two drops every hour if needed. If the condition worsens, see your physician about alternative treatment options.