Streptomycin

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Generic Name of Streptomycin - Learn More

Streptomycin

Streptomycin Precaution - What You Need to Know

Before starting Streptomycin, it's important to consult your healthcare provider to ensure it is the right choice for you. Several precautions should be taken into account:

- Kidney Function: Streptomycin can be toxic to the kidneys (nephrotoxic), particularly in patients with pre-existing renal impairment. Kidney function should be monitored regularly during treatment, and dose adjustments may be required for patients with kidney disease.
- Hearing Loss: Streptomycin is an ototoxic drug, which means it can damage the ears and lead to hearing loss or balance issues, particularly with prolonged use or high doses. Regular monitoring of hearing is recommended during treatment.
- Pre-existing Neurological Disorders: If you have neurological disorders, such as myasthenia gravis, the risk of neuromuscular toxicity increases. Caution should be exercised when prescribing Streptomycin in these patients.
- Pregnancy: Streptomycin falls under FDA pregnancy category D, which means it can cause harm to the fetus. It should only be used in pregnancy when the potential benefits outweigh the risks, and only under strict medical supervision.
- Breastfeeding: Streptomycin passes into breast milk, so it should only be used during breastfeeding if the benefits justify the risks. A healthcare provider will help determine whether breastfeeding should be discontinued.
- Allergic Reactions: Some patients may have allergic reactions to Streptomycin. Symptoms of an allergy include skin rash, itching, fever, or difficulty breathing. Seek immediate medical attention if these occur.
- Hearing and Balance: Regular audiograms are recommended during prolonged therapy with Streptomycin to monitor for hearing loss or vestibular toxicity, especially in those receiving high doses.

Streptomycin Indication - Uses and Benefits

Streptomycin is primarily used as an antibiotic for the treatment of infections caused by gram-negative bacteria and mycobacteria. It is indicated for:

- Tuberculosis (TB): Streptomycin is used in the treatment of drug-resistant tuberculosis (TB), particularly when first-line drugs are ineffective or contraindicated. It is often used as part of a multi-drug regimen.
- Bacterial Endocarditis: Streptomycin may be used in combination with other antibiotics to treat bacterial endocarditis caused by Enterococci.
- Plague: Streptomycin is one of the first-line treatments for plague (Yersinia pestis infection), including bubonic plague and pneumonic plague.
- Brucellosis: Streptomycin is used in the treatment of brucellosis, a bacterial infection caused by the genus Brucella, which affects animals and can be transmitted to humans.
- Tularemia: Streptomycin is also indicated for the treatment of tularemia, caused by the bacterium Francisella tularensis.
- Other Infections: In some cases, Streptomycin is used off-label for the treatment of endogenous bacterial infections, such as chronic bacterial prostatitis or soft tissue infections caused by susceptible organisms.

Streptomycin Contraindications - Important Warnings

Streptomycin should be avoided in certain situations or medical conditions. Contraindications include:

- Hypersensitivity: Known allergy to Streptomycin or other aminoglycoside antibiotics (e.g., gentamicin, amikacin, tobramycin) should be a strong reason to avoid this medication.
- Severe Renal Impairment: Patients with severe kidney disease or renal failure should avoid Streptomycin unless absolutely necessary due to the risk of nephrotoxicity (kidney damage).
- Pre-existing Hearing Loss: Patients with a history of hearing loss (ototoxicity) should not use Streptomycin unless there are no alternative treatment options available, as the drug can worsen hearing impairment.
- Myasthenia Gravis: This neuromuscular disorder can be exacerbated by Streptomycin due to the drug's neuromuscular-blocking effects, leading to increased risk of muscle weakness and respiratory failure.
- Pregnancy: As Streptomycin is classified as category D, it is contraindicated during pregnancy unless there are no other treatment options, and the potential benefit outweighs the risks. It may cause congenital deafness in the fetus.

Streptomycin Side Effects - What to Expect

Streptomycin can cause several side effects, ranging from mild to severe:

- Common Side Effects:
- Nausea and Vomiting: Gastrointestinal discomfort is common.
- Fever: Some patients may experience fever during treatment.
- Rash: Skin reactions such as rashes or itching can occur.
- Injection Site Reactions: If given as an injection, Streptomycin may cause pain, swelling, or redness at the injection site.

- Serious Side Effects:
- Nephrotoxicity (Kidney Damage): Streptomycin can cause kidney damage, leading to reduced kidney function. Symptoms may include swelling, fatigue, and changes in urine output.
- Ototoxicity (Hearing Loss): Prolonged or high-dose use of Streptomycin can cause hearing loss, ringing in the ears (tinnitus), or balance issues due to damage to the auditory nerve or vestibular system.
- Neuromuscular Blockade: Symptoms of muscle weakness or respiratory distress may indicate neuromuscular toxicity, especially in patients with myasthenia gravis.
- Allergic Reactions: Severe allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis, can occur. Symptoms include difficulty breathing, swelling, or low blood pressure.
- Blood Disorders: Rarely, Streptomycin can cause blood dyscrasias such as leukopenia or thrombocytopenia.

Streptomycin Pregnancy Category ID - Safety Information

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Streptomycin Mode of Action - How It Works

Streptomycin is an aminoglycoside antibiotic that works by binding to the 30S subunit of bacterial ribosomes. This binding inhibits the process of protein synthesis in bacteria, leading to the accumulation of defective proteins and ultimately resulting in bacterial cell death. Streptomycin is bactericidal, meaning it kills bacteria rather than merely inhibiting their growth.

It is particularly effective against aerobic gram-negative bacteria and mycobacteria, such as those causing tuberculosis. The drug is less effective against anaerobic bacteria.

Streptomycin Drug Interactions - What to Avoid

Streptomycin can interact with other medications, which may increase the risk of toxicity or reduce efficacy. Key interactions include:

- Other Ototoxic or Nephrotoxic Drugs: Combining Streptomycin with other drugs that are ototoxic (e.g., loop diuretics, cisplatin) or nephrotoxic (e.g., NSAIDs, ACE inhibitors) increases the risk of hearing loss and kidney damage.
- Muscle Relaxants: Streptomycin has a neuromuscular-blocking effect, and when combined with muscle relaxants (e.g., succinylcholine), it can increase the risk of respiratory depression or paralysis.
- Warfarin: Streptomycin may increase the anticoagulant effect of warfarin, raising the risk of bleeding. Close monitoring of INR (International Normalized Ratio) is necessary if both medications are used together.
- Other Antibiotics: Concurrent use with other antibiotics, especially penicillin or cephalosporins, may increase the effectiveness of Streptomycin against certain bacterial infections. However, careful monitoring is necessary to avoid overlapping toxicities.
- Diuretics: Certain diuretics, particularly furosemide, when taken with Streptomycin, can increase the risk of ototoxicity and nephrotoxicity.

Streptomycin Adult Dose - Recommended Dosage

The dosage of Streptomycin depends on the condition being treated:

- Tuberculosis: The usual dose for tuberculosis is 15 mg/kg of body weight, typically given once daily. The dose may vary based on individual patient factors and the specific form of tuberculosis.
- Plague: The recommended dose for plague is typically 1g to 2g every 12 hours, depending on the severity of the infection.
- Brucellosis: For brucellosis, Streptomycin is usually given as 1g daily in combination with other antibiotics like doxycycline for 3-6 weeks.
- Bacterial Endocarditis: The usual dose for endocarditis is 1g every 12 hours.
- Tularemia: The dose for tularemia is usually 1g every 12 hours, depending on the severity of the infection.

Streptomycin Child Dose - Dosage for Children

The dosage for pediatric patients varies based on the type and severity of the infection being treated. For tuberculosis, the usual dose for children is 15 mg/kg once daily. Age and weight should be considered in determining the appropriate dose for other infections, and healthcare providers should make the final decision on dosing.

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Always consult your healthcare provider before starting Streptomycin to ensure it is appropriate for your condition and to discuss potential risks, side effects, and drug interactions.

Streptomycin Renal Dose - Dosage for Kidney Conditions

Streptomycin requires careful dose adjustments in patients with renal impairment. In cases of moderate to severe renal dysfunction, the dose of Streptomycin should be reduced to prevent accumulation and toxicity. Renal function should be monitored, and adjustments made based on creatinine clearance.