Antibiotic poisoning can happen in a variety of ways, but one of the most common causes of toxicity is Gentamicin. If you have suffered an injury caused by Gentamicin toxicity, it is important that you have access to the right legal representation.
Gentamicin is a widely used antibiotic, used to treat bacterial infections where other antibiotics have proven ineffective. It must be administered with caution as it can potentially cause a number of problems when given inappropriately. Current clinical practice guidelines recommend a single high dose of Gentamicin (5mg/kg once) to be administered before incision.
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What is Gentamicin?
Gentamicin is an aminoglycoside; other antibiotics in this family include Vancomycin, Tobramycin, Streptomycin, Neomycin, Amikacin and Netilmicin. It is a particularly strong type of medication that destroys bacteria, including MRSA and C Diff. It may be used to treat infections of the skin, bone, stomach, blood and urinary tract. Gentamicin is one of a group of antibiotics known as amino glycosides and is most mostloy used in the treatment of serious Gram-negative bacterial infections.
Prescribing Gentamicin
Gentamicin can lead to serious side-effects. Gentamicin is potentially ototoxic and nephrotoxic (potentially damaging to the kidney). Therefore, it is vital that Gentamicin is prescribed with the care taking into account factors such as the age, weight, height and kidney function. A dose that is too high, or given for too long, could result in complications.
Effects can be:
- Deafness
- Imbalance
- Blurred vision
- Kidney damage
As with all medical interventions, informed consent to treatment with Gentamicin should always be obtained. This should include advice on the risks and benefits of Gentamicin and also on the alternative treatments.
Gentamicin is known to affect the balance system if used in excess. This is because it can damage the organs in the inner ear, which enable our balance. When too much Gentamicin is administered, it will damage the inner ear, limiting the vestibular information being transmitted to the brain. An overdose of Gentamicin can increase the sensation of unsteadiness and the risk of falls.
Many clinicians do not know that Gentamicin ototoxicity causes impairment of vestibular function. Vestibulotoxicity is frequently overlooked in patients having Gentamicin so that severe, irreversible, bilateral vestibular loss can occur, causing permanent imbalance, which is particularly debilitating in elderly people.
People with Gentamicin ototoxicity will suffer from their eyes not moving in a co-ordinated fashion when their head, neck or body moves and this leads to a sensation of unsteadiness, poor balance, difficulty reading, and in particular, bobbing oscillopsia. Oscillopsia is a sensation of the horizon bouncing up and down when you walk. The balance system also works closely with the cerebellar function in controlling gait and coordination. Reduced vestibular function will have an effect on both gait and coordination. These symptoms will severely hinder a person’s life significantly.
What can I claim?
The value of your claim will depend on a number of factors including:
- The nature of the injury or illness
- Whether your child (or you) recover fully from the injury or illness or if it has a long term effect on their health and wellbeing
- The amount of any losses you incur as a result of the injury
You can claim compensation for the following things if they are a result of your injury:
- Pain, suffering and loss of amenity
- Loss of earnings
- Medical and nursing care costs
- Special equipment needed to carry out daily activities and any costs involved in adapting your home
- Other expenses incurred as a result of your injury, for example, travel expenses incurred whilst receiving medical treatment.
