Wrong Prescription of Gentamicin Antibiotic
Antibiotics are extremely useful drugs and are widely prescribed for a range of debilitating conditions. Incorrect prescription and administration can, however, sometimes prove highly problematic.
A failure to consider all the circumstances when prescribing gentamicin to a patient could potentially prove fatal. Very close attention to the on-going effects of the medication is essential to ensure that the patient does not receive an inappropriate dose and start to suffer hearing and kidney problems.
Benefits and disadvantages
Gentamicin is a strong and effective antibiotic used to tackle conditions such as chest infections, kidney or bladder infections, infections of the bone and sepsis.
However, it is a strong antibiotic and can cause severe side-effects which can result in suffering to the patient for a lifetime if not administered with caution and care.
An inappropriate prescription for gentamicin can cause the following problems for a patient:
- Kidney failure which can prove fatal
- Hearing loss which can cause total deafness
- Mobility issues
- Balance issues
Understandably, all of these problems can cause significant and debilitating effects on the life of the patient. It may restrict their capacity to work or make it completely impossible. It may make the patient dependent on carers in order to function on a daily basis.
Context and caution
In order to protect the patient against such on-going problems, it is vital that the broader context is taken into account. Gentamicin should be used with caution where the patient has any of the following pre-existing conditions:
- If the patient is already suffering kidney problems, gentamicin should be used with extreme caution, the dosage should be calculated precisely and the patient should be closely monitored for any signs of adverse side-effects
- If the patient is overweight it is possible to miscalculate the appropriate dose and over-prescribe this powerful drug
- If the patient is suffering from myasthenia gravis, an autoimmune condition which causes weakness of the muscles, particularly the facial muscles, it is not advisable to prescribe gentamicin at all.
It is also important to be aware of what other medication the patient is taking which might react with the gentamicin to cause problems for the patient.
Incorrect prescription of gentamicin
If the patient has been prescribed an inappropriate dose of gentamicin, they may start to experience the following symptoms:
- problems with balance
- hearing changes
- dizziness
- alterations when urination such as passing less water
It is also possible to have an allergic reaction to gentamicin which may be indicated by swelling feet or hands or having difficulty breathing.
Monitoring the patient
Patients who are undergoing treatment with gentamicin require close monitoring. It may be necessary to change the dose of the drug or to remove the patient from that course of treatment completely.
A failure to monitor the impact of gentamicin can mean that the side-effects suffered by the patient become permanent.
Medical negligence
Where this powerful drug is prescribed to patients inappropriately, to a patient with kidney problems, for example, the responsible medical practitioners may be considered to have acted negligently.
If you or a loved one are suffering with the permanent effects of gentamicin poisoning, contact us to discuss your situation with a specialist medical negligence solicitor.
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