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Hello and welcome. Today we're going to discuss aminoglycosides and the must know information regarding these antibiotics.
These are the three most common aminoglycosides (amikacin, gentamicin and tobramycin). Now, let’s look at what we need to monitor for these drugs.
Monitoring aminoglycosides comes in the form of blood work. Common side effects of aminoglycoside use include nephrotoxicity and ototoxicity. These toxicies can cause temporary or permanent damage to patients. This is why monitoring is important. Nephrotoxicity monitoring consists of renal labs and complaints of fluid retention or low urine output. While ototoxicity monitoring consists of baseline audiograms, seeing an audiologist, with complaints of hearing loss or tinnitus.
The understand antibiotic dosing we must first review MIC (minimum inhibitory concentration), what is the measurement of antibiotic efficiency. Basically how well the antibiotics kill bacteria and in what way. Some antibiotics kills based on time while other kill based on their concentration. Aminoglycosides work on their concentration. One great factor about these antibiotics are their post-antibiotic effects. Aminoglycosides continue to suppress bacterial growth for an extended period of time which is why most are dosed daily. A tool used to monitor aminoglycoside efficiency is peak and troughs. Peaks showing highest, while showing the lowest levels. Monitoring will determine if the drug is being proper executed by the body and proper levels are achieved to max effect.
As mentioned earlier, aminoglycosides come in two forms: natural and semisynthetic. The trend on these drugs being most ending in -MYCIN or -MICIN. When you think on aminoglycosides, think -MYCIN/-MICIN. Amnio = Mycin.
The mechanism of action with aminoglycosides is inhibition of protein synthesis. Protein synthesis is crucial for cell proliferation and development. This dysfunction leads of bacterial suppression and to bacteria death.
The indications of aminoglycosides include gram-negative infections (mainly) and gram-positive cocci, in particular. When thinking about indications, used the BEEPS acronym. BEEPS takes the first letter of each infectious groups, see the underlined letters.
Adverse effects in regard to nephrotoxicity revolve around renal dysfunction and include: protein in urine, low urine production, elevated renal labs and fluid retention. Ototoxicity is another adverse effect of aminoglycosides use and includes hearing loss, CN 8 damage, cochlear/vestibular damage, dizziness/vertigo, tinnitus and ear fullness.
Aminoglycosides also have concerns with regard to other medications. Nephrotoxicity risk is increased when used with other nephrotoxic drugs, such as vanco or cyclosporine. Ototoxicity risk is increased when the use of loop diuretics such as Lasix. Like most antibiotics, these drugs also kill natural gut flora. The use of aminoglycosides can so increase warfarin toxicity.
Key nursing concepts for aminoglycosides include pharmacology and infection control.
Let’s recap, these antibiotics inhibit protein synthesis - crucial for bacterial growth. This leads to bacterial suppression and death. Aminoglycosides come in two forms, natural and semisynthetic. The main indication of aminoglycoside use of gram-negative infections. With adverse effects focusing around the kidneys and ears. Due to these possibility permanent adverse effects, proper monitoring is required and dosing in closely monitored using peak and troughs.
You know now the important details regarding aminoglycosides use. Now, go out and be your best self today and as always, Happy Nursing
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