gentamicin
Brand names: Garamycin
Gentamicin is an antibiotic medicine. It fights serious infections caused by certain bacteria.
Drug Pricing (NADAC)
Generic Price
$0.77/unit
Generic Available
Yes (12 manufacturers)
Pricing data from NADAC (CMS), effective December 18, 2024. Compare all drug costs →
What it does
Gentamicin treats serious infections caused by certain bacteria.
Common side effects
No common side effects listed.
Key warnings
Gentamicin can potentially damage kidneys and cause nerve damage, including hearing loss.
How It Works
Gentamicin belongs to a class of drugs called aminoglycoside antibiotics. It works by stopping the growth of bacteria. This helps your body fight off the infection.
How to Take It
Gentamicin is given as an injection into a muscle or vein. Your doctor will decide the right dose for you based on your weight and kidney function. The usual dose for adults with normal kidneys is 3 mg/kg per day, divided into three doses every 8 hours. For life-threatening infections, the dose may be higher, up to 5 mg/kg per day.
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Gentamicin may harm your unborn baby. It is not known if gentamicin passes into breast milk.
Missed Dose
Call your doctor right away if you miss a dose. They will tell you when to get your next dose.
Storage
Store at room temperature between 68° to 77°F (20° to 25°C).
Side Effects (from patient reports)
Based on 6,136 FDA adverse event reports.
FDA Adverse Event Report Analysis
Detailed analysis of 12,687 reports from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Reports span 1999–2025.
Total Reports
12,687
Death-Related Reports
2,366
Hospitalization Reports
6,198
Top Indication
Product Used For Unknown Indication
Gender Distribution
Age Distribution
Most Reported Adverse Reactions (FAERS)
| # | Reaction | Reports |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | DRUG INEFFECTIVE | 1,014 |
| 2 | ACUTE KIDNEY INJURY | 999 |
| 3 | PYREXIA | 750 |
| 4 | OFF LABEL USE | 677 |
| 5 | RENAL FAILURE | 604 |
| 6 | DIARRHOEA | 460 |
| 7 | SEPSIS | 426 |
| 8 | CONDITION AGGRAVATED | 404 |
| 9 | CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE | 402 |
| 10 | HYPOTENSION | 399 |
| 11 | DRUG INTERACTION | 375 |
| 12 | NAUSEA | 373 |
| 13 | RENAL FAILURE ACUTE | 359 |
| 14 | FOETAL EXPOSURE DURING PREGNANCY | 358 |
| 15 | PREMATURE BABY | 345 |
Reactions in Death Reports
Reactions in Hospitalization Reports
Source: FDA FAERS (Adverse Event Reporting System) FDA FAERS (Adverse Event Reporting System) Reports are voluntary and do not establish causation
Serious Warnings
Gentamicin can potentially damage kidneys and cause nerve damage, including hearing loss. The risk is higher if you have kidney problems, receive high doses, or take it for a long time. Tell your doctor right away if you notice dizziness, ringing in your ears, changes in hearing, or kidney problems.
Known Drug Interactions
Nephrotoxic agents Concomitant administration of cidofovir injection and agents with nephrotoxic potential [e.g., intravenous aminoglycosides (e.g., tobramycin, gentamicin, and amikacin), amphotericin B, foscarnet, intravenous pentamidine, vancomycin, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents] is contraindicated.
Mechanism: These medications are both known to be toxic to the kidneys. Using them together can cause severe kidney problems.
What to do: This combination should be avoided. Your healthcare provider will need to find a safer alternative.
Some examples of drugs that are eliminated by active tubular secretion include, but are not limited to, acyclovir, cidofovir, ganciclovir, valacyclovir, valganciclovir, aminoglycosides (e.g., gentamicin), and high-dose or multiple NSAIDs [see Warnings and Precautions (5.4) ] .
Mechanism: Both drugs are removed from the body through the same pathway in the kidneys. Taking them together may cause the drugs to build up in your system.
What to do: Your doctor should monitor your kidney function closely while you are taking these medicines together.
Captopril 58% 39% Clarithromycin NA 70% Dronedarone NA 150% Gentamicin 129-212% NA Erythromycin 100% NA Itraconazole 80% NA Lapatinib NA 180% Propafenone NA 60-270% Quinidine 100% NA Ranolazine 50% NA Ritonavir NA 86% Telaprevir 50% 85% Tetracycline 100% NA Verapamil 50-75% NA Digoxin concentrations increased less than 50% Atorvastatin 22% 15% Carvedilol 16% 14% Measure serum digoxin concentrations before initiating concomitant drugs.
Mechanism: Gentamicin can significantly increase the amount of digoxin in your blood, sometimes doubling it or more. This happens because the antibiotic affects how your body clears the heart medicine.
What to do: Your doctor must check your digoxin levels before you start gentamicin. They will likely need to lower your digoxin dose to prevent it from reaching dangerous levels.
Some examples include, but are not limited to, acyclovir, adefovir dipivoxil, cidofovir, ganciclovir, valacyclovir, valganciclovir, aminoglycosides (e.g., gentamicin), and high-dose or multiple NSAIDs [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3) ] .
Mechanism: Both of these drugs are removed from the body through the kidneys. Taking them at the same time can increase the risk of kidney damage or raise drug levels in your blood.
What to do: Your doctor should monitor your kidney function closely while you are taking these medications together.
7.6 Gentamicin Animal data have suggested the possibility of interaction between perindopril and gentamicin.
Mechanism: Research in animals suggests these two drugs might interact, although the exact way they affect humans is not yet fully understood.
What to do: Your doctor should monitor you closely for any unusual side effects if you are prescribed both medications.
Common Questions
What should I tell my doctor before taking gentamicin?
Can gentamicin interact with other medications?
How will my doctor monitor me while I'm taking gentamicin?
What are the signs of kidney problems?
What are the signs of hearing problems?
Can gentamicin cause any other side effects?
What if I overdose on gentamicin?
Can I take gentamicin if I am allergic to other medications?
How long will I need to take gentamicin?
What if my symptoms don't improve?
Does gentamicin interact with other medications?
What drug class is gentamicin?
Is gentamicin safe during pregnancy?
Has gentamicin been recalled?
Active Recalls
Lack of Assurance of Sterility: FDA inspection findings resulted in concerns regarding quality control processes
Lowlite Investments, Inc. D/B/A Olympia Pharmacy
Lack of Assurance of Sterility: FDA inspection findings resulted in concerns regarding quality control processes
Lowlite Investments, Inc. D/B/A Olympia Pharmacy
Related Medications in Aminoglycoside Antibiotic
Other drugs grouped near gentamicin — same-class peers and common alternatives.
amikacin
Amikin
Amikacin is an antibiotic medicine.
Compare with gentamicin →
amoxicillin
Amoxil
Amoxicillin and Clavulanate Potassium is a combination medicine used to fight bacterial infections.
Compare with gentamicin →
amoxicillin/clavulanate
Augmentin
Augmentin is a combination of two medicines, amoxicillin and clavulanate.
Compare with gentamicin →
ampicillin/sulbactam
Unasyn
Unasyn is a combination of two antibiotics that fights bacteria in your body.
Compare with gentamicin →
azithromycin
Zithromax, Z-Pack
Azithromycin is an antibiotic that fights bacteria.
Compare with gentamicin →
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What the FDA Data Shows for gentamicin
The FDA label for gentamicin (sold under brand names such as Garamycin) classifies it as a prescription-only medication in the Aminoglycoside Antibiotic class. Gentamicin treats serious infections caused by certain bacteria. Labeling covers dosing, contraindications, and monitoring requirements derived from clinical trials.
Post-market surveillance from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) captures real-world experience. For this drug, FAERS contains 6,136 voluntary reports. The database also lists 7 documented drug interactions derived from FDA labeling, with the top-flagged interaction rated major severity. NADAC pricing from CMS shows a generic unit cost of $0.77.
Report counts do not establish causation — a FAERS entry documents a temporal association, not proof that the drug produced the outcome. Widely prescribed medications naturally accumulate more reports than niche therapies, so raw totals must be interpreted alongside total exposure. Shortage status, recall history (currently 2 recall records on file), and patent information further shape supply and switching decisions. This page summarizes public FDA data for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice — always consult a licensed healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
Data Sources
Drug labeling: FDA Drug Labels (SPL/DailyMed). Adverse events: FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Pricing: CMS National Average Drug Acquisition Cost (NADAC).
FAERS reports are voluntary and do not establish causation. Drug interactions are derived from FDA labeling and clinical references. Always consult a healthcare professional before making medication decisions.
Last updated: November 10, 2023
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.
All federal data sources used on this page
- FDA Orange Book — approved drug products with therapeutic equivalence. accessdata.fda.gov/cder/ob
- FDA DailyMed — NIH-hosted drug labeling for FDA-approved meds. dailymed.nlm.nih.gov
- FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) — post-marketing safety surveillance. fda.gov/drugs/faers
- NLM RxNorm — standardized clinical drug nomenclature. nlm.nih.gov/research/umls/rxnorm
- CMS Medicare Part B Drug Average Sales Price Files — federal drug pricing data. cms.gov/medicare/part-b-drugs/asp
- FDA Drug Shortages Database — current and resolved drug shortage tracking. accessdata.fda.gov/drugshortages