Gentamicin Toxicity

Gentamicin is an antibiotic used quite extensively in Australian hospitals to treat serious bacterial infections.

It can be a very effective drug but can be toxic when given in inappropriate circumstances or doses. It may also interact with other medicines including some antibiotics, diuretics, cancer drugs, vitamin K and some muscle relaxants.

Gentamicin should not usually be used if a person has had or has:

• kidney disease or problems
• hearing problems
• Myasthenia gravis or Parkinsons disease because it may aggravate muscle weakness.

Gentamicin is potentially damaging to the ear, specifically the auditory nerve, cochlea or vestibular system, and the kidneys. Even when administered at the correct dose it can cause adverse effects. Patients undergoing gentamicin therapy should be closely monitored for an adverse reaction.

Some things that may be relevant to determining the likelihood of a successful claim for compensation based on the inappropriate administration of gentamicin include:

• what dose/s was administered;
• how was the dose/s administered;
• over what period of time was the dose administered;
• was the person weighed prior to gentamicin being given;
• was the person taking any other drugs, prescribed or over-the-counter;
• did the person have any contraindications to gentamicin;
• was the person warned of possible side-effects to gentamicin;
• what side-effects resulted;
• when did the side-effects occur; and
• to what extent is the adverse reaction a continuing and disabling problem.