Gentamicin+benzalkonium
About Gentamicin+benzalkonium
Benzalkonium+gentamicin belongs to the aminoglycoside antibiotic primarily used to treat bacterial infections in the eye and ear, conjunctivitis (pink eye) and otitis externa (redness and swelling of the external ear canal). Conjunctivitis is the infection of the outer white membrane of the eyeball. This infection is highly contagious in nature and can be passed on to others. Otitis externa is a bacterial infection of the external ear canal.
Benzalkonium+gentamicin contains Gentamicin, which helps treat and prevent a wide range of bacterial infections. It kills bacteria (bactericidal action) by preventing the synthesis of proteins required by bacteria, which is essential for the bacterial cell's growth and survival. Benzalkonium+gentamicin has a broad spectrum of antibacterial activity against both aerobic Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria (which live in oxygen). Benzalkonium acts as a preservative in the formulation.
Benzalkonium+gentamicin should be used as advised by your doctor. It is an external preparation intended for use in the eyes and ears. In some cases, you may experience specific common side effects, such as a burning sensation in the eyes or ears, ear pain, irritation during administration, and blurred vision. Most of these side effects of Benzalkonium+gentamicin do not require medical attention and gradually subside over time. However, if the side effects are persistent, reach out to your doctor.
Benzalkonium+gentamicin contains benzalkonium as a preservative, which may cause eye irritation, especially if you have dry eyes or corneal disorders (the transparent layer at the front of the eye). If you experience stinging, pain in the eye, or abnormal eye sensations after using this medicine, please inform your doctor. Do not use Benzalkonium+gentamicin on your own as self-medication may lead to antibiotic resistance. Benzalkonium+gentamicin must not be used in the ear if the eardrum is damaged in any way. Consult your doctor before using Benzalkonium+gentamicin if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Benzalkonium+gentamicin is not recommended for children unless prescribed by a doctor. Benzalkonium+gentamicin may cause temporary vision problems (blurred vision), so be cautious while driving and operating machinery or avoid doing such activities.
Uses of Gentamicin+benzalkonium
• Ear Infection Treatment: Benzalkonium+gentamicin can help treat ear infections like otitis externa by killing bacteria that cause them.
• Relief from Ear Pain: Benzalkonium+gentamicin acts as a local anaesthetic, which blocks pain signals from the nerves to the brain, decreasing the ear pain sensation.
• Reduction of Inflammation: Benzalkonium+gentamicin also helps reduce inflammation and soothe irritation caused by ear infections.
• Treatment of Bacterial Conjunctivitis: Benzalkonium+gentamicin are effective in managing bacterial eye infections, helping to reduce symptoms such as redness, swelling, and discharge.
• Management of Corneal Ulcers: Benzalkonium+gentamicin is prescribed for the treatment of corneal ulcers, aiding in healing and preventing complications associated with open sores on the cornea.
• Relief from Eye Infections: Benzalkonium+gentamicin relieves various bacterial eye infections, promoting eye health and minimising discomfort.
Medicinal Benefits
Directions for Use
• For use eye drops: wash your hands, tilt your head, and pull down the lower eyelid. Squeeze in the prescribed amount, close your eyes for 2-3 minutes, and wipe away any excess. • For use ear drops: wash your hands, tilt your head to the side, and squeeze the prescribed dose into your ear. • Do not touch the tip of the container to the ear or surrounding areas as it may contaminate Benzalkonium+gentamicin. • Place the dropper back on the bottle and tighten the cap.
Storage
Side Effects of Gentamicin+benzalkonium
- Irritation
- Burning sensation
- Blurred vision
Drug Warnings
Do not take Benzalkonium+gentamicin if you are allergic or have had a severe reaction to the aminoglycosides antibiotics like gentamicin, tobacco, amikacin, streptomycin, and kanamycin. The Benzalkonium+gentamicin contains benzalkonium as a preservative that may be absorbed by soft contact lenses and change contact lens colours. You should not wear contact lenses while you have bacterial conjunctivitis symptoms or while you are using Benzalkonium+gentamicin. Do not skip any doses and finish the full course of treatment, even if you feel better, without asking your doctor, as your symptoms may come back and may even worsen your condition. Inform your doctor if your symptoms do not improve within two days of starting treatment, if they worsen during treatment or if you get another eye or ear infection. If you have ruptured the eardrum, please do not use Benzalkonium+gentamicin unless prescribed. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, please inform your doctor before taking Benzalkonium+gentamicin. Do not use Benzalkonium+gentamicin on children unless prescribed by the doctor. Benzalkonium+gentamicin may cause blurred vision sometimes, so it is advised not to drive a car or operate machinery after administrating it.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interactions: Benzalkonium+gentamicin interacts with antibiotics (cephalexin, cefadroxil, cephradine, besifloxacin, gatifloxacin, amikacin, tobramycin), muscle relaxants (atracurium, pancuronium, vecuronium), immunosuppressive agent (ciclosporin), anticancer (cisplatin), diuretics (furosemide, ethacrynic acid), antifungal (amphotericin).
Drug-Food Interactions: No interaction found.
Drug-Disease Interactions: Benzalkonium+gentamicin should not be given to patients with eye and ear fungal infections, holes in the eardrum, have had liver or kidney problems.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
cautionThe interaction of Benzalkonium+gentamicin with alcohol is unknown. Consult your doctor before consuming alcohol during your treatment with Benzalkonium+gentamicin.
Pregnancy
cautionBenzalkonium+gentamicin is a pregnancy Category C medicine. It is not known whether Benzalkonium+gentamicin will affect pregnant women or their fetuses. Hence, the intake of Benzalkonium+gentamicin should be avoided if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant, as it may harm the baby.
Breast Feeding
cautionThere are limited studies on how Benzalkonium+gentamicin affects breastfed infants. Hence, consult your doctor before using Benzalkonium+gentamicin if you are breastfeeding.
Driving
cautionBenzalkonium+gentamicin It is better to avoid driving as Benzalkonium+gentamicin usually causes temporarily blurred vision and affects your driving ability. Drive only when you are alert and have clear vision.
Liver
cautionInform your doctor if you have any history of liver diseases or hepatic impairment before starting Benzalkonium+gentamicin.
Kidney
cautionLet your doctor know if you have any history of kidney diseases before using Benzalkonium+gentamicin.
Children
safe if prescribedBenzalkonium+gentamicin should be used for children only when advised by a doctor. However, the safety and effectiveness of Benzalkonium+gentamicin have not been established in neonates.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Eating probiotics and a diet rich in vitamins can help to improve eye health and ward off infection.
- Rinse your eyes regularly with clean water.
- Placing cooled tea bags on your eyes while they are closed can be a way to relax and unwind.
- Make sure you dry your ears completely after swimming or taking a shower.
- Keep your ears clean by washing them and using a cotton swab carefully.
- Eat fiber-rich food like whole grains, beans, lentils, berries, broccoli, peas, and bananas.
- Avoid foods rich in calcium, grapefruit, and grapefruit juice, as they might hinder the absorption of antibiotics.
- Avoid the usage of tobacco and alcohol.
- To cure your condition effectually, complete the full course of Benzalkonium+gentamicin even though you find symptomatic relief.
Special Advise
- Use of Benzalkonium+gentamicin for prolonged may result in a new fungal eye infection (secondary infection). Do not use Benzalkonium+gentamicin for longer than prescribed.
- Benzalkonium+gentamicin should not be administered directly into the eye's anterior chamber.
- Benzalkonium+gentamicin must not be used in the ear if the eardrum is damaged in any way.
- It is advised to contact your doctor if the infection symptoms persist or worsen after two weeks of treatment.
- If you experience any purulent (pus-containing) discharge or your inflammation and pain increase while using Benzalkonium+gentamicin, please discontinue the use and consult a doctor.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Conjunctivitis, also known as pink eye, is a condition in which the outer membrane of the eyeball becomes swollen and infected. There are typically three types of conjunctivitis: bacterial conjunctivitis, viral conjunctivitis, and allergic conjunctivitis. Common signs and symptoms include red-toned eyes with a thick discharge and intense itchiness. It is highly contagious and can spread from one person to another.
Otitis externa: It is a condition that causes inflammation (pain, redness, and swelling) of the external ear canal, which is the tube between the outer ear and the eardrum. Bacterial infections primarily cause it. Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus are the most common bacteria that cause otitis externa.
FAQs
Benzalkonium+gentamicin is used to treat bacterial infections in the eye and ear, conjunctivitis (pink eye) and otitis externa (redness and swelling of the external ear canal).
Benzalkonium+gentamicin contains Gentamicin, an antibiotic which stops bacterial growth by preventing the synthesis of essential proteins required by bacteria to carry out vital functions. This prevents bacteria from repairing and multiplying. Thereby helping in treating ear and eye bacterial infections.
Prolonged use of Benzalkonium+gentamicin can lead to an overgrowth of other microorganisms, such as fungi, and the development of bacterial resistance.
Benzalkonium+gentamicin ear drops should be used with caution and only under a doctor's supervision if you have chronic otitis media (infection of the middle ear cavity) or a perforated tympanic membrane (a hole or a tear in the tissue that separates the ear canal from the middle ear). Let your doctor know if you have kidney disease, myasthenia gravis (neuromuscular disease), before using Gentamicin.
Never stop the treatment with Benzalkonium+gentamicin on your own, as the infection may come back again (relapse) if the prescribed treatment is not completely taken before stopping Benzalkonium+gentamicin.
You should avoid contaminating the applicator tip of Benzalkonium+gentamicin with material from the eye/ear, fingers, or other sources. Try not to share personal items or clothing until your eye or ear infections persist. Do not wear contact lenses, as they can exacerbate your eye condition. Additionally, avoid inserting cotton swabs and bobby pins into your ear, as this can worsen your ear condition.
Yes, Benzalkonium+gentamicin effectively treats bacterial eye and ear infections, such as conjunctivitis (also known as pink eye) and otitis externa (inflammation of the external ear canal). It effectively reduces inflammation and kills the bacteria, which helps improve symptoms. However, following your doctor's instructions for proper use is crucial to ensure its effectiveness.
If you forget to use Benzalkonium+gentamicin, use it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular schedule. Do not use extra drops to make up for the missed dose.
Like any medication, Benzalkonium+gentamicin may cause side effects, although not everyone will experience them. Common side effects include a burning sensation in the eyes or ears, ear pain, irritation upon application, and blurred vision. These effects are typically temporary and may subside shortly after use. If you notice any unusual or severe symptoms, contact your doctor immediately.
Benzalkonium+gentamicin should be stored in a cool and dry place, away from direct heat or sunlight. Keep the container tightly closed and out of reach of children. Do not freeze this medication.
