Gentamicin, Serum/Plasma

Gentamicin is an aminoglycoside antibiotic. Aminoglycosides are highly potent, broad-spectrum antibiotics with many desirable properties for the treatment of life-threatening infections. This class of antibiotics is useful for the treatment of gram negative bacillary infections. Aminoglycosides act primarily by impairing bacterial protein synthesis through binding to prokaryotic ribosomes. Whereas all clinically used aminoglycosides are inhibitors of prokaryotic protein synthesis at commonly accepted therapeutic concentrations, they may also affect the protein synthesis of mammalian cells at larger concentrations. Gentamicin overdose can cause otovestibular toxicity and nephrotoxicity.

Measurements of Gentamicin levels is performed to ensure concentrations are within therapeutic range and avoid drug toxicity.

1 ml Serum 1 ml K2-EDTA or Na, Li-Heparin Plasma Stability: 24 Hours at Room Temperature 7 Days at 2-8 °C > 7 Days at -20 °C

Sampling time for peak is 30-60 mins after administration. Trough sampling is immediately before next dose. Avoid grossly haemolysed samples.

Trough Level: Up to 2.0 µg/mL Peak Level: 5.0 - 10.0 µg/mL