Drug interactions
Gentamicin + Valsartan
Severity: Moderate
Gentamicin and Valsartan: 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
Valsartan lowers glomerular filtration pressure and, with gentamicin's tubular toxicity, may raise the risk of acute kidney injury, particularly in volume-depleted patients. Reduced renal function then increases aminoglycoside levels and toxicity, and valsartan may cause hyperkalemia.
What this interaction means in plain words
Gentamicin and Valsartan 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; Valsartan belongs to Cardiovascular.
Why it happens
Angiotensin receptor blockade reduces renal perfusion pressure, adding to direct aminoglycoside tubular injury and reducing gentamicin clearance.
What to do
Monitor serum creatinine, potassium and gentamicin levels, and maintain hydration. Consider holding valsartan if renal function worsens.
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?
Pro+ members
Unlock the full page
Create an account and start a Pro+ trial to unlock the full management advice for Gentamicin and Valsartan, the additional notes, the evidence detail and the whole-prescription interaction checker.
- Full clinical management advice
- Additional notes
- Evidence detail
- Interaction checker for a whole prescription
Try Pro+ free for 14 days on the web. No card needed.
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 Valsartan
- Aliskiren + Valsartan Contraindicated
- Sparsentan + Valsartan Contraindicated
- Aldesleukin + Valsartan Major
- Amifostine + Valsartan Major
- Amiloride + Valsartan Major
- Amlodipine-benazepril + Valsartan Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Gentamicin with Valsartan?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Gentamicin and Valsartan 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. Valsartan lowers glomerular filtration pressure and, with gentamicin's tubular toxicity, may raise the risk of acute kidney injury, particularly in volume-depleted patients. Reduced renal function then increases aminoglycoside levels and toxicity, and valsartan may cause hyperkalemia.
How serious is the interaction between Gentamicin and Valsartan?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Monitor serum creatinine, potassium and gentamicin levels, and maintain hydration. Consider holding valsartan if renal function worsens.
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.
Full monographs, dosing and an interaction checker in the MediHelp app
Open the complete reference, check multi-drug interactions and use dosing tools in the MediHelp app.
