Drug interactions
Gentamicin + Paromomycin
Severity: Moderate
Gentamicin and Paromomycin: moderate interaction.
Last updated
For healthcare professionals — reference only. This page is a brief summary, not medical advice and not a substitute for official labeling or clinical judgement. Always verify before prescribing or dispensing.
Summary
Both are aminoglycosides. Oral paromomycin is poorly absorbed, but absorption can increase with damaged gut mucosa or renal impairment, and parenteral gentamicin may then add to nephrotoxicity and ototoxicity. The risk is mainly relevant in patients with renal impairment or bowel disease.
What this interaction means in plain words
Gentamicin and Paromomycin can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken.
Gentamicin belongs to Anti Bacterial; Paromomycin belongs to Anti Bacterial.
Why it happens
Additive aminoglycoside toxicity to renal tubular cells and cochlear/vestibular hair cells when systemic exposure to paromomycin occurs.
What to do
Avoid combining where possible in patients with renal impairment or ulcerative bowel disease. If used together, monitor serum creatinine and hearing and keep gentamicin levels within target range.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Should I take them at different times of day?
- Does the dose of either medicine need to change?
- Is there anything I should avoid, such as alcohol or certain foods, while on both?
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Other interactions of Gentamicin
- Cidofovir + Gentamicin Contraindicated
- Adefovir + Gentamicin Major
- Amikacin + Gentamicin Major
- Amlodipine-hydrochlorothiazide-valsartan + Gentamicin Major
- Amphotericin b deoxycholate + Gentamicin Major
- Amphotericin b + Gentamicin Major
Other interactions of Paromomycin
- Cidofovir + Paromomycin Major
- Adefovir + Paromomycin Moderate
- Amikacin + Paromomycin Moderate
- Amphotericin b + Paromomycin Moderate
- Atracurium + Paromomycin Moderate
- Bacitracin-neomycin-polymyxin + Paromomycin Moderate
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Gentamicin with Paromomycin?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Gentamicin and Paromomycin can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken. Both are aminoglycosides. Oral paromomycin is poorly absorbed, but absorption can increase with damaged gut mucosa or renal impairment, and parenteral gentamicin may then add to nephrotoxicity and ototoxicity. The risk is mainly relevant in patients with renal impairment or bowel disease.
How serious is the interaction between Gentamicin and Paromomycin?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Avoid combining where possible in patients with renal impairment or ulcerative bowel disease. If used together, monitor serum creatinine and hearing and keep gentamicin levels within target range.
What other medicines interact with Gentamicin?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Gentamicin with, for example, Cidofovir, Adefovir, Amikacin. The full list is on the Gentamicin page.
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