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Does Gentamicin Cause Psychiatric Symptoms?
My mother in law is 82, diabetic and prone to UTIs. She has no psychiatric history. Recent treatment of a UTI with gentamicin was associated with hallucinations in an otherwise clear and high cognitive functioning woman.What s the likelihood these psychiatric symptoms were side effects of the antibiotic?They have persisted after the drug was discontinued.What s the prognosis for resolution of the hallucination problem and how is it best mamaged?
Fri, 26 Dec 2014
HI,
Gentamicin can have neurological side effects like tinnitus, vertigo and deafness. Hallucinations are very rarely described in literature, especially in elderly and resolve once the drug is stopped. I guess it is an unlikely cause.
In your mother's case, it is wise to rule out other causes like metabolic or structural diseases of brain for her hallucinations. A neurologist consultation will help you.
All the best.
Gentamicin can have neurological side effects like tinnitus, vertigo and deafness. Hallucinations are very rarely described in literature, especially in elderly and resolve once the drug is stopped. I guess it is an unlikely cause.
In your mother's case, it is wise to rule out other causes like metabolic or structural diseases of brain for her hallucinations. A neurologist consultation will help you.
All the best.
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