Description
Gentamicin is a bactericidal aminoglycoside that was discovered and isolated from Micromonospora purpurea in 1963.7 It is one of the most frequently prescribed aminoglycosides due to its spectrum of activity, low cost, and availability.5,8 Gentamicin is effective against both gram-positive and gram-negative organisms but is particularly useful for the treatment of severe gram-negative infections including those caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa.6,10,11 There is the added benefit of synergy when gentamicin is co-administered with other antibacterials such as beta-lactams.11 This synergistic activity is not only important for the treatment of complex infections, but can also contribute to dose optimization and reduced adverse effects