Gentasol (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 and your doctor will evaluate the risks and benefits. Here are some important points to consider:

Allergies

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

Pediatric

There is no specific information on how this medicine works in babies up to one month old compared to other age groups.

Geriatric

Many medicines have not been studied specifically in older adults. Therefore, it may not be known if they work the same way as they do in younger adults or if they cause different side effects in older people. There is no specific information on the use of this medicine in the elderly compared to other age groups.

Breast Feeding

Research suggests that this medication has minimal risk to the infant when used by breastfeeding women.

Interactions with Medicines

Some medicines should not be used together at all, while in other cases, two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might happen. If you are taking this medicine, it is very 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 medication or may change some of your other medicines.

• 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 frequency for 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 may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

• Indomethacin
• Methoxyflurane
• Polygeline

Interactions with Food/Tobacco/Alcohol

Certain medicines should not be taken around mealtime or with certain foods due to potential interactions. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also lead to interactions. Talk to your healthcare professional about using your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur 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 not present before use of 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. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

Less common

• Burning or stinging

After application, eye ointments usually cause your vision to blur 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.