Patient was educated on the side effects of using Gentamicin as follows:
- Ototoxicity
- Gentamicin intake in high doses can lead to reversible hearing loss.
- Also, Gentamicin can lead to loss of hair cells and damage to the vestibule of inner ear, which is an important organ maintaining balance and equilibrium in the human body.
- Damage to the vestibule can result in poor balance and equilibrium.
- Sometimes, the damage can be severe causing the hearing loss to be permanent.
- Normal therapeutic doses of Gentamicin in individuals with compromised renal function can lead to incomplete elimination of Gentamicin and elevated drug levels for longer duration, thus precipitating ototoxicity and hearing loss.
- Opportunistic fungal infections
- The friendly normal flora residing in the human body help prevent growth of opportunistic infections.
- Gentamicin by destroying the normal flora, tips the balance in favor of opportunistic infections.
- So, long term use of Gentamicin carries a risk of opportunistic fungal infections, such as, thrush and yeast infections.
- Anaphylaxis
- A rare, but serious anaphylactic response can occur for Gentamicin.
- Patients can present with extreme itching and rash, swelling of the face and throat, dizziness, bronchoconstriction, and difficulty breathing.
- This is an emergency and medical attention should be sought immediately, without any delay.
- Oral ulcers
- Individuals taking Gentamicin can sometimes present with oral ulcers, swollen gums, and difficulty swallowing.
