GENTAMICIN SULFATE Dailymed

Clinical Pharmacology

Microbiology: Gentamicin sulfate is active in vitro against many strains of the following micro-organisms: Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Streptococcus pyogenes, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Enterobacter aerogenes, Escherichia coli, Haemophilus influenzae, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Serratia marcescens.

Indications And Usage

GENTAMICIN SULFATE OPHTHALMIC SOLUTION, USP is indicated in the topical treatment of ocular bacterial infections including conjunctivitis, keratitis, keratoconjunctivitis, corneal ulcers, blepharitis, blepharoconjunctivitis, acute meibomianitis, and dacryocystitis, caused by susceptible strains of the following microorganisms: Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Streptococcus pyogenes, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Enterobacter aerogenes, Escherichia coli, Haemophilus influenzae, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Serratia marcescens.

Contraindications

GENTAMICIN SULFATE OPHTHALMIC SOLUTION, USP is contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity to any of the components.

Warnings

NOT FOR INJECTION INTO THE EYE.

GENTAMICIN SULFATE OPHTHALMIC SOLUTION, USP is not for injection. It should never be injected subconjunctivally, nor should it be directly introduced into the anterior chamber of the eye.

Precautions

General:

Prolonged use of topical antibiotics may give rise to overgrowth of nonsusceptible microorganisms, including fungi. Bacterial resistance to gentamicin may also develop. If purulent discharge, inflammation or pain becomes aggravated, the patient should discontinue use of the medication and consult a physician.

If irritation or hypersensitivity to any component of the drug develops, the patient should discontinue use of this preparation and appropriate therapy should be instituted.

Information for Patients:

To avoid contamination, do not touch tip of container to the eye, eyelid or any surface.

Carcinogenesis, Mutagenesis, Impairment of Fertility:

There are no published carcinogenicity or impairment of fertility studies on gentamicin. Aminoglycoside antibiotics have been found to be non-mutagenic.

Pregnancy:

Pregnancy Category C: Gentamicin has been shown to depress body weights, kidney weights and median glomerular counts in newborn rats when administered systemically to pregnant rats in daily doses approximately 500 times the maximum recommended ophthalmic human dose. There are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women. Gentamicin should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus.

Pediatric Use:

Safety and effectiveness in neonates have not been established.

Adverse Reactions

Bacterial and fungal corneal ulcers have developed during treatment with gentamicin ophthalmic preparations.

The most frequently reported adverse reactions are ocular burning and irritation upon drug instillation, non-specific conjunctivitis, conjunctival epithelial defects and conjunctival hyperemia. Other reactions which have occurred rarely are allergic reactions, thrombocytopenic purpura and hallucinations.

Dosage And Administration

Instill one or two drops into the affected eye(s) every four hours. In severe infections, dosage may be increased to as much as two drops every hour.

How Supplied

GENTAMICIN SULFATE OPHTHALMIC SOLUTION, USP 0.3% is supplied sterile in white opaque LDPE plastic bottles and tips with white high impact polystyrene (HIPS) caps as follows:

•        5 mL in 10 mL bottle – NDC 60758-188-05

Note: Store at or below 25°C (77°F). Avoid exposure to excessive heat (40°C/104°F or above).

Rx only

Rev January 2003

© 2004 PACIFIC PHARMAIrvine, CA 92612 U.S.A.6622X71759PY10P

Repackaged by:

Rebel Distributors Corp

Thousand Oaks, CA 91320

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