Utah Personal Injury Lawyer Blog

Salt Lake City, Price, Tooele and Surrounding Areas of Utah

 

Thursday, June 4, 2009

Gentamicin Toxicity Can Be Prevented

Gentamicin is a powerful antibiotic that is used to treat various bacterial infections, especially those caused by gram-negative bacteria.  It belongs to a class of antibiotics called "aminoglycosides," which have proven to be effective against certain bacteria that may be resistant to other, more conventional antibiotics.

While gentamicin can be an effective treatment, it must be carefully administered.  It is nephrotoxic, which means it can have a detrimental effect on kidney function.  If a doctor prescribes gentamicin, but does not closely monitor the patient's renal function, the serum levels of the drug can build up and cause acute renal impairment such as tubular necrosis.

Additionally, if gentamicin concentrations are too high, it can also damage the eighth cranial nerve, resulting in permanent, irreversible vestibular dysfunction.  Symptoms of this include dizziness, loss of balance, and vertigo.  Additionally, in some cases, this ototoxic reaction can result in auditory damage and hearing loss.

We have unfortunately been seeing a significant increase in doctors who prescribe gentamicin, but who fail to closely monitor their patients.  Additionally, some doctors have been giving gentamicin to their patients when other, less harmful antibiotics would suffice.  This negligence has resulted in dramatic harm to patients, particularly the elderly.

All medical treatment carries some risk, but those risks can be avoided by close clinical supervision.  When health care providers put their own convenience before the safety of their patients, tragic and avoidable injuries can occur.  Failure to monitor patients on gentamicin is medical malpractice.

The lawyers at G. Eric Nielson & Associates are experienced at handling gentamicin and other aminoglycoside negligence cases.  We have a national network of medical experts who can help review your case and determine whether you have suffered eighth cranial nerve damage or renal impairment due to gentamicin toxicity.  If you or someone you know has experienced symptoms of dizziness, loss of balance, or vertigo after being given gentamicin, call us at (801) 424-9088 for a free, no obligation consultation today.  We understand the medicine, we know the law, and we can help.


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posted by Ryan M. Springer at 9:12 PM

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G. Eric Nielson & Associates, LLC
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