Gentamicin

Code:
GENT

Sample Type:

Serum (Gold Top)

Minimum volume: 1 mL

Ref Ranges/Units:

Trough (pre-dose) <1 mg/L 

Random (intermittent dose) <1 mg/L 

Peak (post-dose) 3 – 5 mg/L are usually sufficient  

Trough doses >2.0 mg/L will be phoned to the requesting clinician.

Turnaround:

Same Day (60 minutes from receipt for Urgent Samples)

Stability:

1 week at 2-8°C 

4 weeks at -20°C 

Special Precautions/Comments:

Trough sample recommended (blood drawn immediately before scheduled dose). 

Peak levels (1 hour after dose) can also be measured and are useful in multiple-daily dosing (e.g. endocarditis), but not required following once-daily or intermittent doses. 

Additional Information:

Gentamicin is an aminoglycoside antibiotic used in the treatment of infections caused by gram-negative bacteria. Therapeutic drug monitoring allows the optimal therapeutic dose to be achieved by avoiding both subtherapeutic and toxic levels. 

Generally, there is no need to wait for the result before giving the dose immediately following. The gentamicin level is used to inform the dose after that. For neonates, follow regional neonatal guidelines. Please contact a microbiologist if advice is required.  

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