Genticin Eye/Ear Drops
1.
NAME OF THE MEDICINAL PRODUCT
Genticin 0.3% W/V Eye/Ear drops.
2.
QUALITATIVE AND QUANTITATIVE COMPOSITION
Each bottle contains gentamicin sulphate equivalent to 30 mg gentamicin base in 10 ml of solution
Excipients with known effect:
Benzalkonium chloride 50% w/v solution (0.020% w/v per 10 ml)
For the full list of excipients, see section 6.1.
3. PHARMACEUTICAL FORM
Eye/Ear drops.
Sterile, isotonic solution in dropper bottles.
4.1 Therapeutic indications
Genticin eye/ear drops are indicated in adults and children:
1. For the treatment of superficial eye and ear infections caused by organisms sensitive to gentamicin.
2. For prophylaxis against infection in trauma of the eye or ear.
4.2 Posology and method of administration
Posology
Adults, the elderly and the paediatric population
Eyes: 1 or 2 drops should be instilled in the affected eye up to six times a day, or more frequently if required. (Severe infections may require 1 or 2 drops every fifteen to twenty minutes initially, reducing the frequency of instillation gradually as the infection is controlled).
Ears: The area should be cleaned and 2 - 3 drops instilled in the affected ear three to four times a day and at night, or more frequently if required.
Method of administration Auricular and ocular use.
4.3 Contraindications
Hypersensitivity to the active substance or to any of the excipients listed in section 6.1 Myasthenia gravis
Known or suspected perforation of the ear drum.
4.4 Special warnings and precautions for use
Long-term continuous topical therapy should be avoided. Prolonged use may lead to skin sensitisation and the emergence of resistant organisms. Cross sensitivity with other aminoglycoside antibiotics may occur.
In severe infections, topical use of gentamicin should be supplemented with appropriate systemic antibiotic treatment.
Gentamicin may cause irreversible partial or total deafness when given systemically or when applied topically to open wounds or damaged skin. This effect is dose-related and is enhanced by renal and/or hepatic impairment and is more likely in the elderly.
The condition of the ear drum must always be checked before this medicinal product is prescribed. The medicinal product must not be used if the integrity of the ear drum cannot be guaranteed.
Irreversible toxic effects may result from direct contact of gentamicin with the middle and inner ear. The benefits of gentamicin therapy should be considered against the risk of infection itself causing hearing loss.
Contact lenses should be removed during the period of treatment of ocular infections.
Serious adverse reactions including neurotoxicity, ototoxicity and nephrotoxicity have occurred in patients receiving systemic gentamicin therapy. Although these effects have
not been reported following topical otic use of gentamicin, caution is advised when used concomitantly with systemic aminoglycosides
4.5 Interaction with other medicinal products and other forms of interaction
Potent diuretics such as ethacrynic acid and furosemide are believed to enhance any risk of ototoxicity whilst amphotericin B, cisplatin and cyclosporine and cephalosporins are potential enhancers of nephrotoxicity.
Concurrent use with other potentially nephrotoxic or ototoxic drugs should be avoided unless considered essential by the physician.
Neuromuscular blockade and respiratory paralysis have been reported in patients from the administration of aminoglycosides to patients who have received curare-type muscle relaxants during anaesthesia.
4.6 Fertility. pregnancy and lactation
Pregnancy
Safety for use in pregnancy and lactation has not been established. Gentamicin should only be used in pregnancy or lactation when considered essential by the physician, after careful assessment of the potential risks and benefits.
Breast-feeding
Safety for use in lactation has not been established. In the absence of gastrointestinal inflammation the amount of gentamicin ingested from the milk is unlikely to result in significant blood levels in breast-fed infants. Gentamicin should only be used in lactation when considered essential by the physician, after careful assessment of the potential risks and benefits.
2.1 4.7 Effects on ability to drive and use machines
Patients should be advised that the use of Gentamicin in the eye may cause transient blurring of vision. If affected, patients should not drive or operate machinery until vision has cleared.
4.8 Undesirable effects
|
Eye disorders |
-local sensitivity: |
|
-blurred vision | |
|
-eye irritation | |
|
-burning sensation |
|
-stinging sensation -itching(eye pruritus) | |
|
Ear and labyrinth disorders |
-local sensitivity |
|
-ototoxicity | |
|
-vestibular disorder: | |
|
-hearing loss | |
|
Skin and subcutaneous tissue |
-burning sensation |
|
disorders |
-stinging |
|
-itching (pruritus): | |
|
-dermatitis. | |
|
Renal and urinary disorders |
-nephrotoxicity* |
|
-acute renal failure |
*Gentamicin may cause nephrotoxicity when given systemically. However, it is likely that systemic absorption following topical administration does not constitute a comparable risk.
In the event of irritation, sensitisation or super-infection, treatment should be discontinued and appropriate therapy instituted.
Reporting of suspected adverse reactions
Reporting suspected adverse reactions after authorisation of the medicinal product is important. It allows continued monitoring of the benefit/risk balance of the medicinal product. Healthcare professionals are asked to report any suspected adverse reactions via the Yellow Card Scheme, www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard.
4.9 Overdose
Symptoms
The oral ingestion of the contents of one bottle is unlikely to cause any significant adverse effect.
Management
Haemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis will aid the removal from blood but the former is probably more efficient. Calcium salts given intravenously have been used to counter the neuromuscular blockade cause by gentamicin.
5.1 Pharmacodynamic properties
ATC code: S03AA06
Pharmacotherapeutic group: Bactericidal,
Mechanism of action.
Gentamicin is mixture of antibiotic substances produced by the growth of micromonospora purpurea. It is a bactericidal antibiotic which acts by inhibiting protein synthesis. It has greater antibacterial activity than streptomycin, neomycin or kanamycin.
Gentamicin exerts a number of effects on cells of susceptible bacteria. It affects the integrity of the plasma membrane and the metabolism of RNA, but it's most important effect is inhibition of protein synthesis at the level of the 30s ribosomal subunit.
5.2 Pharmacokinetic properties
Absorption
Topical application of gentamicin can result in some systemic absorption. Treatment of large areas can result in plasma concentrations of up to 1 pg/ml.
Gentamicin is 70-85% bound to plasma albumin following administration.
Effective plasma concentration is 4 - 8ug/ml The volume of distribution (VD) is 0.3 1/kg
Elimination
> 90% Gentamicin is excreted unchanged in the urine by glomerular filtration.
Ti/2 = 2 - 3 hours in individuals with normal kidney function, but can be increased in cases of renal insufficiency.
The elimination rate constant is;
0.02 Hr-1 for anuric patients*
0.30 Hr-1 normal
*Therefore in those with anuria care must be exercised.
2.2 5.3 Preclinical safety data
Not relevant.
6.1
List of excipients
Benzalkonium chloride, Borax .,
Sodium chloride, purified. Water.
2.3 6.2 Incompatibilities
None known.
2.4 6.3 Shelf life
3 years. Discard contents 4 weeks after opening.
2.5 6.4 Special precautions for storage
Store below 25°C. Do not freeze.
2.6 6.5 Nature and contents of container
Gentamicin eye/ear drops are available in 10ml dropper bottles.
6.6 Special precautions for disposal
No special requirements.
7 MARKETING AUTHORISATION HOLDER
Amdipharm UK Limited
Capital House, 85 King William Street,
London EC4N 7BL, UK
8 MARKETING AUTHORISATION NUMBER(S)
PL 20072/0057
9. DATE OF FIRST AUTHORISATION/RENEWAL OF THE AUTHORISATION
Date of first authorization: 20 December 1994
Date of last renewal: 7 October 009
10 DATE OF REVISION OF THE TEXT
17/02/2015