Garamycin (Ophthalmic)

Gentamicin is part of a group of medicines known as antibiotics. Gentamicin ophthalmic preparations are used to treat eye infections.

You can get gentamicin only with a prescription from your doctor.

If your symptoms do not improve within a few days, or if they get worse, contact your doctor.

In deciding to use a medicine, you need to think about the risks of taking it compared to the benefits it may provide. This decision will be made together with your doctor. For this medicine, consider the following:

Allergies

Inform your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reactions to this medicine or any other medicines. Also, let your healthcare professional know if you have any other allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Pediatric

There is no specific information about using this medicine in babies up to one month old compared to other age groups.

Geriatric

Many medicines have not been specifically studied in older adults. Therefore, it may not be clear whether they work the same way in older adults as they do in younger adults or if they cause different side effects or problems. There is no specific information about using this medicine in elderly patients compared to other age groups.

Breast Feeding

Studies in women indicate that this medicine poses minimal risk to the infant when used during breastfeeding.

Interactions with Medicines

Some medicines should never be used together, while others can be used together even if an interaction might happen. In these cases, your doctor may need to adjust the dose or take other precautions. When taking this medicine, it is especially important for your healthcare professional to know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions are based on their potential significance and are not necessarily a complete list.

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may choose not to treat you with this medicine or change some of the other medicines you are taking.

• Ataluren

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be necessary in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may adjust the dose or how often you use one or both medicines.

• Agalsidase Alfa
• Alcuronium
• Aspirin
• Atracurium
• Cholera Vaccine, Live
• Cidofovir
• Cisatracurium
• Colistimethate Sodium
• Decamethonium
• Digoxin
• Doxacurium
• Emtricitabine
• Ethacrynic Acid
• Fazadinium
• Foscarnet
• Furosemide
• Gallamine
• Hexafluorenium
• Lysine
• Metocurine
• Mivacurium
• Pancuronium
• Pipecuronium
• Rapacuronium
• Rocuronium
• Succinylcholine
• Tacrolimus
• Tenofovir Alafenamide
• Tubocurarine
• Vancomycin
• Vecuronium

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may increase the risk of certain side effects, but using both medicines might be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you take one or both medicines.

• Indomethacin
• Methoxyflurane
• Polygeline

Interactions with Food/Tobacco/Alcohol

Certain medicines should not be taken at the same time as food or specific types of food due to possible interactions. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also lead to interactions. Discuss with your healthcare professional how to use your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

Along with its necessary effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Not all of these side effects may occur, but if they do, they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

Less common

• Itching, redness, swelling, or other signs of irritation that were not present before using this medicine
• Redness of the eye, eyelid, or inner lining of the eyelid

Rare

• Black, tarry stools; blood in urine or stools; or unusual bleeding or swelling
• Blurred vision, eye pain, sensitivity to light, and/or tearing
• Seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not there

• Hallucinations

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Your health care professional may be able to tell you how to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue, are bothersome, or if you have any questions about them:

Less common

• Burning or stinging

After applying eye ointments, your vision may become blurry for a few minutes.

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

In the U.S.

• Garamycin
• Genoptic
• Genoptic S.O.P.
• Gentacidin
• Gentafair
• Gentak
• Gentasol
• Ocu-Mycin

Available Dosage Forms:

• Ointment
• Solution

Therapeutic Class: Antibiotic

Chemical Class: Aminoglycoside

For patients using the eye drop form of this medicine:

• The bottle is only partially full to provide proper drop control.
• To use: First, wash your hands. Tilt the head back and with the index finger of one hand, press gently on the skin just beneath the lower eyelid and pull the lower eyelid away from the eye to make a space. Drop the medicine into this space. Let go of the eyelid and gently close the eyes. Do not blink. Keep the eyes closed for 1 or 2 minutes, to allow the medicine to come into contact with the infection.
• If you think you did not get the drop of medicine into your eye properly, use another drop.
• Avoid wearing contact lenses during treatment
• To keep the medicine as germ-free as possible, do not touch the applicator tip to any surface (including the eye). Also, keep the container tightly closed.

For patients using the eye ointment form of this medicine:

• First, wash your hands. Tilt the head back and with the index finger of one hand, press gently on the skin just beneath the lower eyelid and pull the lower eyelid away from the eye to make a space. Squeeze a thin strip of ointment into this space. A 1-cm (approximately ⅓-inch) strip of ointment is usually enough unless otherwise directed by your doctor. Let go of the eyelid and gently close the eyes and keep them closed for 1 or 2 minutes, to allow the medicine to come into contact with the infection.
• To keep the medicine as germ-free as possible, do not touch the applicator tip to any surface (including the eye). After using gentamicin eye ointment, wipe the tip of the ointment tube with a clean tissue and keep the tube tightly closed.

To help clear up your infection completely, keep using this medicine for the full time of treatment, even if your symptoms have disappeared. Do not miss any doses.

Dosing

The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.

• For ophthalmic ointment dosage form: For eye infections: Adults and children—Use every eight to twelve hours.
• For ophthalmic solution (eye drops) dosage form: For mild to moderate eye infections: Adults and children—One to two drops every four hours. For severe eye infections: Adults and children—One to two drops as often as once every hour as directed by your doctor.

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose of this medicine, apply it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule.

Storage

Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing.

Keep out of the reach of children.

Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.