What are aminoglycosides?
aminoglycosides are an antibiotic drug class. They are used to treat bacterial infections. Examples of these drugs include amikacin, neomycin and streptomycin. In the US, these drugs are only available on prescription. They can be used in combination with other drugs to treat certain infections. Aminoglycosides are only used to treat certain bacterial infections. They are effective against the type of bacteria called gram -negative bacteria . Bacteria that react in a certain way to the gram's stain, the method used to classify bacteria are given this name. Aminoglycosides are not effective against viruses, mushrooms and viral infections such as flu. These drugs do not absorb well in the oral. Instead, they are commonly injected in a muscle or lived. If the infection attacked the central nervous system, the drug can also be injected into the spinal cord. The drug can also be inhaled or applied locally to the skin.
aminoGlycosides should not be used in patients with a certain already existing health condition. For example, pregnant women are not usually prescribed aminoglycosides, but serious infections can be exempted to endanger the life of the mother. Antibiotics are not transmitted by breast milk, so women who are breastfeeding can safely take aminoglycosides. Patients with Parkinson's disease, myasthenia gravis and kidney disease are also usually not recommended to take these drugs.
people who use these antibiotics should be aware of possible side effects. Older people, like young children, are more susceptible to the development of side effects. Patients can experience skin rashes, toching and weakness. Some patients may also experience dizziness, abnormal urination and vomiting. One of the aminoglycosides, gentamicin, can cause seizures, leg cramps and fever when injected.
aminoglycosides can be toxic to certain cells in the body such as kidneys and ears. In a small number of cases this may lead to the bindingby any side effects. Damage is often reversible, in most cases, once the patient stops taking medication.
If the patient's inner ear cells are damaged, dizziness may occur and loss of balance. Hearing loss and tinnitus , which is the ringing in the ears, may result in damage to cells in the patient's middle ear. Patients should obtain immediate medical attention if they develop such side effects. However, if the infection is serious, the benefits of taking these antibiotics may outweigh the risks.