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gentamicin
Used for Bacterial Infection, Eye Infection, Gastrointestinal Infection, Meningitis, Skin Infection, Urinary Tract Infection
Used for Bacterial Infection, Eye Infection, Gastrointestinal Infection, Meningitis, Skin Infection, Urinary Tract Infection
Gentamicin is a topical antibiotic that treats bacterial skin infections, such as impetigo. It comes as a cream that's useful for wet, oozing, or greasy skin infections. There's also a topical ointment for infections on dry skin. Both forms are applied on the skin 3 to 4 times a day. Gentamicin can be used on adults and children over 1 year of age. Most people don't have many side effects when used as directed. But it's possible to have mild skin irritation, like redness and itching.
What is Gentamicin?
What is Gentamicin used for?
- Impetigo
- Other bacterial skin infections
How Gentamicin works
Gentamicin is an aminoglycoside antibiotic. It kills bacteria by stopping them from making proteins they need to survive.
Drug facts
| Common Brands | Gentak |
|---|---|
| Drug Class | Aminoglycoside antibiotic |
| Controlled Substance Classification | Not a controlled medication |
| Generic Status | Lower-cost generic available |
| Availability | Prescription only |
Side effects of Gentamicin
The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.
Common Side Effects
- Side effects aren't common. See "Other Side Effects."
Less Common Side Effects
- Skin redness
- Itching
The following Gentamicin side effects have also been reported
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:
Less common
Itching, redness, swelling, or other sign of irritation not present before use of this medicine
Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Get your GoodRx coupon
$34.53
GoodRx discount
$11.05
Pros and cons of Gentamicin
Pros
- Treats various bacterial skin infections, including severe acne or impetigo
- Very few side effects, so it's safe for most people if used as directed
- Might be a good option for people who are sensitive to Neosporin
Cons
- Applied many times a day
- Can cause temporary skin irritation
- Need a prescription from a healthcare professional
Pharmacist tips for Gentamicin
- Before applying gentamicin, gently clean the affected area(s) of your skin. Also wash your hands with soap and warm water. This helps prevent getting more germs into the infection.
- Only use gentamicin on the outside of your body (on top of your skin). Don't put this medication in your mouth and swallow it. Also never put it in your eyes, nose, or ears. This can cause irritation.
- After applying gentamicin on the skin, wash your hands again with soap and warm water. This gets rid of the medication from your fingers so you don't get it in your eyes, mouth, or anywhere else by accident.
- After you put gentamicin on the infected area, you can cover it with a clean bandage if you want. It'll help protect the area. Just make sure the bandage isn't too tight.
- Most people don't have many side effects from gentamicin. But if you notice skin irritation that doesn't go away on its own or gets worse, tell a healthcare professional. They can check if there's something else going on.
- Be sure to use gentamicin for the full amount of time your prescriber tells you to, even if your skin starts to look better. Stopping too early can make the infection come back and be harder to treat.
Risks and warnings for Gentamicin
Gentamicin can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.
Risk of other skin infections
- Risk factors: Using gentamicin long term
Although it's rare, using gentamicin for a long time can raise the risk of other skin infections, like fungal infections. Talk to a healthcare professional if you notice signs of a new infection. Look out for a rash or itching that doesn't go away or gets worse.
Allergic reaction
- Risk factors: Allergy to aminoglycoside antibiotics
Like with all medications, gentamicin can cause an allergic reaction in some people. Tell your prescriber if you've ever had a reaction to other aminoglycoside antibiotics like Neosporin. You might be more likely to have an allergic reaction to gentamicin.
Call your care team if you have hives, skin pain, rash, or skin redness that's severe, doesn't go away, or gets worse. This could be signs of an allergic reaction.
Gentamicin dosage
The average cost for 2 tubes of 15g of 0.1% of Gentamicin is $31.50 with a free GoodRx coupon. This is 68.49% off the average retail price of $99.98. 
Tube of cream
Tube of cream| Dosage | Quantity | Price as low as | Price per unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15g of 0.1% | 2 tubes | $34.16 | $17.08 |
| 30g of 0.1% | 1 tube | $34.16 | $34.16 |
Typical dosage for Gentamicin
This medication is available as a 0.1% topical cream and 0.1% topical ointment.
In general, apply a small amount of the medication to the affected area(s) 3 to 4 times a day.
Interactions between Gentamicin and other drugs
Gentamicin may interact with certain medications or supplements. Always let your doctor and pharmacist know about any other medications or supplements (including prescribed and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and dietary or herbal supplements) that you are currently taking. The list below does not include all possible drug interactions with Gentamicin. Please note that only the generic name of each medication is listed below.
Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. Tell your healthcare professional if you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine.
How much does Gentamicin cost?
To access savings, use a GoodRx coupon and pay just a fraction of the retail price.
Gentamicin (generic)
$11.05
What are alternatives to Gentamicin?
There are a number of medications that your doctor can prescribe in place of Gentamicin. Compare a few possible alternatives below.
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