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Tag: Aminoglycoside

Explore our medication guides and pharmacology articles within this category.

Is neomycin natural, or is it made in a lab?

3 min read
Neomycin is indeed a natural product, derived from the bacterium *Streptomyces fradiae*. Discovered in 1949 by microbiologist Selman Waksman, it belongs to the aminoglycoside class of antibiotics, which are known for their origin in soil-dwelling microorganisms. The production process involves cultivating this specific bacterium to yield the antibiotic compound, which is then isolated and purified for medicinal use.

Pharmacology Explained: Why is Gentamicin Not Absorbed Orally?

3 min read
Less than 1% of an oral dose of gentamicin enters the bloodstream, rendering it ineffective for systemic infections [1.5.3]. So, why is gentamicin not absorbed orally? The answer lies in its fundamental chemical properties that prevent it from crossing the gastrointestinal wall.

What infections does kanamycin treat? A look at its uses and limitations

4 min read
Kanamycin is an aminoglycoside antibiotic first isolated from the bacterium *Streptomyces kanamyceticus* in 1957 and historically used for various severe bacterial infections. Its usage has declined over time due to toxicity and resistance, but understanding what infections does kanamycin treat is key to appreciating its limited role today, particularly for multi-drug resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB).

What infection does gentamicin injection cure? A comprehensive overview

3 min read
With a history stretching back to the 1960s, gentamicin remains a critical, broad-spectrum antibiotic primarily used to treat severe bacterial infections. This potent aminoglycoside is reserved for serious conditions when other less-toxic options are not effective. Learn what infection does gentamicin injection cure, its mechanism of action, and important considerations regarding its use.

Why Does Gentamicin Cause Hearing Loss? The Mechanisms of Ototoxicity

4 min read
In some studies, the risk of hearing loss in patients who received Gentamicin was as high as 25 percent, highlighting the serious side effect known as ototoxicity. This occurs because gentamicin, a powerful antibiotic, can damage the delicate sensory hair cells of the inner ear, leading to permanent hearing impairment. But beyond simple damage, **why does gentamicin cause hearing loss** through complex, multi-faceted mechanisms?

Are there different types of gentamicin?

2 min read
Gentamicin, a crucial aminoglycoside antibiotic, is not a single compound but a complex mixture of related components, primarily C1, C1a, and C2. This chemical composition, along with its availability in various formulations, answers the question of whether there are different types of gentamicin based on its specific application.

How does spectinomycin differ from the other aminoglycoside antibiotics?

4 min read
While often grouped with aminoglycosides, spectinomycin is a distinct aminocyclitol antibiotic [1.2.1]. The crucial question for clinicians and researchers is: **how does spectinomycin differ from the other aminoglycoside antibiotics?** These differences lie in its structure, action, and, most importantly, its safety profile.

Is azithromycin a macrolide or aminoglycoside? A Guide to Antibiotic Classification

4 min read
Azithromycin is one of the most frequently prescribed antibiotics in the United States, with millions of prescriptions written annually for a wide range of bacterial infections. However, patients and sometimes even healthcare professionals may question if azithromycin is a macrolide or aminoglycoside due to its broad-spectrum nature. This article clarifies that azithromycin is definitively a macrolide, not an aminoglycoside, and explores the key distinctions between these two important classes of antibiotics.

What is the pharmacological action of gentamicin?

4 min read
As an aminoglycoside antibiotic, gentamicin is a potent bactericidal agent primarily used for severe Gram-negative infections. Understanding what is the pharmacological action of gentamicin is crucial for appreciating its clinical efficacy and the risks involved, as its mechanism involves disrupting bacterial protein synthesis.