Pharmacy - LUHFT wide
What you need to know about monitoring for side effects
What are aminoglycoside antibiotics used for?
‘Aminoglycoside’ is the family name of a group of antibiotics that includes gentamicin, tobramycin, streptomycin and amikacin. They are used to treat serious bacterial infections including those of the urinary tract (e.g. kidneys or bladder), chest (e.g. lungs) and blood (e.g. bacteraemia or septicaemia).
How are aminoglycosides given?
The route given will depend on the type of aminoglycoside prescribed. It could either be given via a vein as a slow injection or more commonly by a short infusion. It can also be given as an injection administered into the muscle. The dose of given to you will depend on what kind of infection you have, your age, body weight and how well your kidneys are working.
What problems could I experience with aminoglycosides?
Like all medicines, aminoglycosides can have side effects. Aminoglycosides can occasionally cause damage to the ears, which may show itself as feeling dizzy or difficulty in keeping your balance, a ringing in your ears (tinnitus) or hearing loss. In some cases, these effects may be irreversible. If you are on a prolonged course, you will be referred for regular audiometry testing to monitor your hearing.
Aminoglycosides can also cause damage to your kidneys - this is usually reversible, and we will monitor your kidney function closely with blood tests. Treatment will be stopped if there is any evidence of kidney damage. It is difficult to calculate the risk of this effect happening for different patients.
What is known is that the risk increases if your kidneys do not work very well or you are over 65 years old.
What can be done to reduce the chance of this happening?
If you are at risk of developing these problems, we would ideally try to avoid using aminoglycosides to treat you. However, in some serious infections this may not be possible. In this situation your doctor will discuss the risks and benefits of treatment with you.
The amount of antibiotic in your blood will be measured regularly to check that the correct blood levels have been achieved. Your doctor will also carry out blood tests to check your kidney function before and during treatment with aminoglycosides.
If you are taking water tablets (“diuretics”) such as furosemide, your doctor may ask you to temporarily stop taking them while you are being treated with aminoglycosides. This is because they may increase the risk of aminoglycosides causing damage to your ears and kidneys.
Is there anything that I can do?
It is important that you tell your doctor if you are taking any other medicines, including over the counter medications or herbal remedies, because aminoglycosides and other medicines you may be taking can sometimes affect each others action.
Who can I speak to if I have any questions?
The doctors looking after you will be happy to answer any questions you may have. You can also ask to speak to one of the pharmacists or nurses looking after you.
It is extremely important that you tell your doctor or nurse if you experience any problems such as difficulty keeping your balance, dizziness, a ringing in your ears or hearing loss.
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Further information
Pharmacy Departments
Royal Liverpool Hospital
Tel: 0151 706 2092
Text phone number: 18001 0151 706 2092
Aintree Hospital
Tel: 0151 525 5980
Text phone number: 18001 0151 525 5980
Broadgreen Hospital
Tel: 0151 282 6056
Text phone number: 18001 0151 282 6056
Author: Pharmacy
Review date: April 2029
PI 3249 V1
PI 3249 V1