Patient was educated on precautions to be exercised while taking Gentamicin as follows:
- Evenly space out the doses of the antibiotic and take the dose at the scheduled time every day. Keeping to the schedule helps with maintaining a constant level of the antibiotic in the body, which is needed for infection control. Also, this helps to avoid forgetting the medication.
- Gentamicin should be avoided or used with extreme caution in individuals with respiratory complaints, such as, asthma and COPD, as Gentamicin use can result in respiratory muscle weakness with slowing of the respirations and shallow breathing. Any episodes of exacerbation of SOB, while taking Gentamicin, must be immediately reported to the physician.
- Gentamicin should be avoided or used with extreme caution in individuals placed on fluid limitations, such as, patients with congestive heart failure, as Gentamicin should be taken with liberal amounts of water intake.
- Check with your doctor regarding safety upon receiving any live vaccinations, as Gentamicin by eliminating natural bacterial flora, could lower the body’s resistance. Live vaccinations could turn virulent in such individuals, precipitating new infections.
