Streptomycin
About Streptomycin
Streptomycin is a prescription antibiotic injection used to treat severe bacterial infections, including tuberculosis, plague, and tularemia. It works by stopping the growth of these harmful bacteria in your body. Your doctor will determine the exact schedule for your treatment based on the type of infection.
Because this medicine is injected directly into a muscle, it can be taken with or without food. To get the best results, it is vital to receive these injections consistently at the exact times your doctor schedules. Staying well-hydrated and eating balanced meals during your recovery will also support your body in fighting off the infection.
While using Streptomycin, you may experience mild side effects like soreness at the injection site or slight dizziness. However, you should consult your doctor immediately if you experience serious symptoms such as ringing in your ears, hearing loss, or a significant decrease in urination.
Talk to your doctor before starting this treatment if you have a history of kidney disease, hearing problems, or nerve disorders. Do not take this medicine if you have ever had a severe allergic reaction to similar antibiotics.
This injection can interact with certain other medications, including strong water pills and other antibiotics, which can increase the risk of side effects. Avoid alcohol while undergoing treatment to prevent unnecessary strain on your organs. If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or elderly, make sure to consult your doctor before receiving this medicine.
Uses of Streptomycin
Medicinal Benefits
Streptomycin provides several important benefits by controlling serious bacterial infections and supporting recovery:
- Treats Serious Bacterial Infections: It effectively kills susceptible bacteria responsible for severe and potentially life-threatening infections.
- Relieves Infection Symptoms: As the infection clears, it helps reduce symptoms such as fever, persistent cough, inflammation, and general weakness.
- Prevents the Spread of Infection: Early treatment helps stop bacteria from spreading to other organs, reducing the risk of serious complications.
- Supports Faster Recovery: By controlling the infection promptly, Streptomycin helps restore strength, improve overall health, and promote recovery when used as prescribed.
Directions for Use
- Follow your doctor’s recommendations on the dosage and timing of this medication to achieve optimal results.
- Streptomycin will be administered by a healthcare professional.
- Do not self-administer.
Storage
Side Effects of Streptomycin
Common Side Effects
- Pain, redness, or swelling where the injection was given
- Nausea or vomiting
- Mild dizziness or spinning sensation
- Loss of appetite
Serious Side Effects
- Ringing in your ears, hearing muffled sounds, or any level of hearing loss
- Severe clumsiness, unsteadiness, or difficulty keeping your balance
- Urinating much less often than usual, or seeing blood in your urine
- Numbness, tingling, or muscle twitching
- Signs of a severe allergic reaction, such as a skin rash, itching, or swelling of your face, lips, or throat
Medicines Containing this Salt
View AllDrug Warnings
- Check the solution: Do not use the injection if the liquid looks cloudy, discoloured, or contains tiny floating particles.
- Change injection spots: Always inject into a different area of your muscle each time to reduce pain and prevent hard lumps from forming.
- Watch for ear symptoms: Notify your doctor immediately if you notice even mild ringing in your ears, as this can be an early sign of hearing damage.
- Keep your medical appointments: Attend all scheduled blood tests so your doctor can regularly check how well your kidneys are working.
- Finish the entire course: Always complete the full treatment course prescribed by your doctor, even if your symptoms disappear early.
Drug Interactions
Here are the medicines that may interact with Streptomycin and increase the risk of serious side effects:
- Other Aminoglycoside Antibiotics: Using Streptomycin with other aminoglycoside antibiotics may increase the risk of kidney damage and permanent hearing loss.
- Kidney- or Ear-Damaging Medicines: Certain chemotherapy medicines and loop diuretics (such as furosemide) may increase the risk of kidney injury or hearing problems when used with Streptomycin.
- Muscle Relaxants: Streptomycin can enhance the effects of muscle relaxants, increasing the risk of muscle weakness and breathing difficulties.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
cautionAlcohol should not be taken along with Streptomycin, it might lead to excessive sleepiness, coughing and mucus formation.
Pregnancy
cautionStreptomycin should not be used when pregnancy unless clearly necessary. So, inform your doctor if you are pregnant or suspect pregnancy. Your doctor will weigh the benefits and potential risks before prescribing Streptomycin.
Breast Feeding
cautionStreptomycin is excreted in breast milk. Inform the doctor if you are a breastfeeding mother. Streptomycin is given to breastfeeding mothers only if the doctor thinks the benefits outweigh the risks.
Driving
cautionDrive with caution if you have taken Streptomycin as it might cause dizziness and make driving difficult.
Liver
cautionInform your doctor before receiving the Streptomycin if you have had a liver impairment/disorder history. Your doctor will prescribe only if the benefits outweigh the risks.
Kidney
cautionInform your doctor before receiving the Streptomycin if you have had a kidney impairment/disorder history. Your doctor will prescribe only if the benefits outweigh the risks.
Children
cautionStreptomycin should only be given to children if required. The dose should be monitored closely as an overdose to children may lead to unpleasant side effects.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Increase your water intake: Drink at least 8 to 10 glasses of water daily to help your kidneys process and clear the medicine efficiently.
- Eat a protein-rich diet: Include foods like poultry, fish, beans, and eggs to help your body rebuild tissues and recover from severe bacterial infections.
- Avoid consuming alcohol: Refrain from drinking alcohol during your treatment to prevent extra strain on your kidneys and liver.
- Get sufficient rest: Aim for 8 hours of sleep each night to give your immune system the energy it needs to fight off the illness.
Special Advise
If you have had a bad cough for the last three weeks or longer, chest pain, or coughing up blood or sputum from deep inside the lungs, consult a pulmonologist or lung specialist.
Monitoring of liver function test (LFT) is advisable while using Streptomycin.
Prolonged use of Streptomycin may cause nerve damage or hearing loss, especially if you have kidney disease.
Before using Streptomycin, inform your doctor if you have dizziness, hearing problems, vision problem, balance problem, muscle weakness, trouble in concentration, numbness, tingling or watery/bloody stool (diarrhoea).
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Tuberculosis (TB): It is an infectious bacterial disease that affects the lungs, but it could also spread to other body parts such as kidneys, brain, spine and bone marrow. Tuberculosis is caused by a bacteria named Mycobacterium tuberculosis. It is a contagious disease that can spread to others through small droplets released into the air by a person suffering from tuberculosis. Symptoms include a cough that lasts for a few weeks, pain while coughing or normal breathing, unexplained fatigue, fever, night sweats, and loss of appetite and weight. People who smoke or consume alcohol and people diagnosed with HIV and immune system problems are more likely at risk of developing active TB.
Bacterial infection: A bacterial infection is a condition in which harmful bacteria enter, multiply and infect our body. It can target any body part and multiple very quickly. When you get infected with bacteria, you can experience generalized symptoms like fevers, chills and fatigue. Anyone can become infected with a bacterial infection. But, people with weak immune systems or taking immunosuppressive medicine can make you more prone to bacterial infection.
FAQs
No, you must complete the entire course of treatment exactly as prescribed to ensure the infection is completely cleared and does not return.
It can affect your inner ear, which may lead to temporary or permanent hearing loss or ringing in your ears. Your doctor will monitor your hearing closely.
It is best to avoid alcohol because it can dehydrate your body and increase the risk of side effects like dizziness or strain on your kidneys.
This medicine is generally not recommended during pregnancy because it can cause hearing damage to the unborn baby.
Dizziness or loss of balance can be a serious side effect affecting your inner ear. Sit down safely and contact your doctor right away.
No, this medicine does not absorb well through the stomach and must be injected into a muscle to treat systemic infections effectively.
Streptomycin is administered by a trained healthcare professional, usually as an intramuscular (deep muscle) injection. In some situations, it may also be given intravenously (into a vein), depending on your condition and your doctor's recommendation. The dose and route are determined based on your age, weight, kidney function, and the type and severity of the infection.
Before starting treatment, your doctor may perform hearing (audiometry) and kidney function tests to establish a baseline. During treatment, regular blood tests (including kidney function and electrolyte levels such as potassium, calcium, and magnesium) and hearing tests may be performed to detect side effects early and ensure the medicine remains safe and effective.
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