Effects of Gentamycin

Gentamicin sulfate is a prescription antibiotic belonging to the aminoglycoside family. It is instilled into the eye, injected into the fluid surrounding the spinal cord, rubbed onto the skin, injected into the muscle or administered slowly into the vein. It is usually given for days or weeks until the infection is under control. The "2010 Lippincott's Nursing Drug Guide" explains that the drug is sometimes implanted in the body as beads that control infection for months. Gentamicin is often, but not always, administered in the hospital setting. Like all antibiotics, gentamicin has both intended and unintended effects.

Effects Against Pathogens

Unlike some antibiotics that only control growth, gentamicin usually kills the offending pathogen by controlling its ability to use protein. It also damages the cell wall of the bacteria. Organisms that are susceptible to gentamicin include E. coli, Citrobacter, Pseudomonas, Klebsiella-Enterobacter-Serratia and Staphyloccus, among others.

Intended Body Effects

In the human body, gentamicin kills the source of infection, helping the individual to recover. This allows the immune system to stop fighting the infection, reducing symptoms of fever, malaise and fatigue. Gentamicin is often used to treat moderate to severe infections, including eye infection, lung infection, skin infection, meningitis, osteomyelitis, urinary tract infection and gastrointestinal infection. It is also effective against many systemic infections in the bloodstream. Occasionally, it is used to prevent a potentially-serious skin infection.

Unintended Body Effects

Common adverse effects of gentamicin include dizziness, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, numbness, skin tingling, ringing in the ears, rash, bleeding under the skin and an elevated white blood cell count. Seizure is a potentially serious side effect, according to Drugs.com. Other potentially dangerous side effects include kidney damage, decreased urine, stopped breathing and temporary paralysis of the skeletal muscles. It can reduce the level of blood cells, including white blood cells, platelets and red blood cells. Symptoms of this reduction include pale skin, difficulty breathing, excessive tiredness, hemorrhage, blood in urine or stool, or a new infection. Gentamicin can also cause serious hearing loss. Some individuals have an allergic reaction, which can quickly lead to fainting, hives, difficulty breathing and swelling of the lips, mouth or throat. Side effects should be reported to the physician for evaluation; some side effects necessitate emergency treatment.