Gentamicin
The Cost of Gentamicin Poisoning
Gentamicin is a powerful antibiotic that is frequently administered intravenously (by IV). Doctors and hospitals are aware of the potentially serious side effects of gentamicin and have adopted strict guidelines for monitoring the levels of the drug in patients’ blood.
A set pattern of regular testing is used to identify the peaks and troughs in dosage levels. If these levels become excessive through negligent monitoring, gentamicin poisoning may the result.
Gentamicin poisoning is known to cause any of the following:
- Permanent damage to the small hairs of the inner ear (ototoxicity) resulting in permanent balance disorder, vertigo or ringing in the ears (tinnitus)
- Bouncing vision (oscillopsia) that makes it difficult to distinguish details, especially when walking down the street or driving at night
- Difficulty concentrating, memory problems and fatigue
- Kidney damage and renal failure
In some serious cases of gentamicin poisoning, patients have died. If you were prescribed gentamicin during a hospital stay and you are having trouble with balance, vision or memory, please contact our offices to learn more about gentamicin poisoning and your legal options for seeking compensation for the permanent damages you may have suffered.
Gentamicin poisoning occurs in the home health care setting as well as in hospitals. Whether administered alone or in conjunction with another IV antibiotic like vancomycin, the danger of permanent damage due to negligent monitoring is especially high when the patient is under the direct care of a home health care nurse rather than a doctor who is fully familiar with the protocols.
If an elderly or disabled loved one was treated with gentamicin and has experienced a noticeable decrease in memory, balance or the ability to concentrate, he or she may have been a victim of gentamicin poisoning. An experienced attorney can help you determine the truth about possible malpractice and seek full compensation if this is the case.
If you suspect that unmonitored dosing with gentamicin caused you serious injury or the loss of a loved one, please call our office at (480) 443-1234 or e-mail us now for a free consultation with experienced Phoenix area medical malpractice trial lawyer James Page.
Our firm represents clients in Arizona who have suffered as a result of medication error and medical negligence.
