Gentamicin (Pfizer)™
Active ingredients: Gentamicin
Consumer medicine information
Read the CMI leaflet (Opens in new tab) for facts you need to know before, during and after taking your medicine.
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For more information about CMIs and how to read them, please visit How to read Consumer Medicine Information (CMI).
What this medicine is used for
Indications as at November 2000; For the treatment of infections due to one or more susceptible strains of bacteria, including Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Proteus species (indole positive and indole negative), Escherichia coli, Klebsiella, Enterobacter and Serratia species and Staphylococcus (including strains resistant to other antibiotics). Gentamicin may also be used for the treatment of the following conditions when caused by susceptible organisms: bacteraemia, respiratory tract infections, urinary tract infections, skin and skin structure infections, bone infections, peritonitis, septic abortion and burns complicated by sepsis. Aminoglycosides, including gentamicin are generally not indicated in uncomplicated initial episodes of urinary tract infection unless the causative organisms are not susceptible to less toxic antibiotics. In suspected or documented Gram-negative sepsis, gentamicin should be considered for initial antimicrobial therapy. Therapy may be instituted before obtaining results of susceptibility tests. The decision to continue therapy is based on results of the susceptibility tests, the severity of the infection and risk of toxicity. If anaerobic organisms are suspected, antimicrobial therapy in addition to the gentamicin regimen should be considered.
Source: ARTG
Storage conditions
- Shelf lifetime is 2 Years
- Store below 25 degrees Celsius
- Protect from Light
Source: ARTG
How to use this medicine
Non-composite pack
This medicine contains one component only.
Component
- Injection, solution
- Intravenous
- Clear, pale yellow, sterile aqueous solution.
Source: ARTG
Do I need a prescription?
These medicine packs are available from a pharmacist and requires a prescription. It is Schedule 4: Prescription Only Medicine.
- 2mL x 10
- 2mL x 50
Source: ARTG
Is this medicine subsidised?
This medicine is not listed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS). Talk to your pharmacist about how much it will cost.
Source: PBS
Pregnant or planning a pregnancy?
For the active ingredient: Gentamicin
You should seek advice from your doctor or pharmacist about taking this medicine. They can help you balance the risks and the benefits of this medicine during pregnancy.
Source: AHT
Reporting side effects
If you experience a side effect from this medicine, tell your doctor or pharmacist. Or report it directly to the TGA (Therapeutic Goods Administration).
You can report side effects to your doctor, or directly at Report an adverse event or safety problem (Opens in new tab)
Source: ARTG
Data sources
- Australian Health Thesaurus (AHT) (Opens in new tab) – Last updated on 3 August 2026
- Australian Medicines Terminology (AMT) (Opens in new tab) – Last updated on 3 August 2026
- Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG) (Opens in new tab) – Last updated on 3 August 2026
- Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) (Opens in new tab) – Last updated on 3 August 2026
- Medicines Information Pty Ltd (Opens in new tab) – Last updated on 4 March 2026
Disclaimer
Healthdirect medicines information is not intended for use in an emergency. If you are suffering an acute illness, overdose, or emergency condition, call triple zero (000) and ask for an ambulance.
Reasonable care has been taken to provide accurate information at the time of creation. This information is not intended to substitute medical advice, diagnosis or treatment and should not be exclusively relied on to manage or diagnose a medical condition. Please refer to our terms and conditions (Opens in new tab).
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