Streptomycin is an antibiotic drug to treat tuberculosis and other bacterial infectious diseases, such as tularemia, bacterial endocarditis, bubonic plague (plague), brucellosis, meningitis, pneumonia, or urinary tract infection.
Streptomycin works by interfering with the formation of special proteins needed by bacteria to grow and develop, so the bacteria eventually die.
To treat tuberculosis, streptomycin can be combined with other antituberculosis drugs. This drug cannot be used to treat viral infections, such as the flu.
Streptomycin trademark: Meiji Streptomycin Sulphate, Streptomycin Sulphate
What is Streptomycin
| group | Prescription drugs |
| Category | Aminoglycoside antibiotics |
| Benefit | Treating bacterial infections, such as tuberculosis |
| Used by | Adults and children |
| Streptomycin for pregnant and lactating women | Category D: There is positive evidence of risks to the human fetus, but the benefits may outweigh the risks, for example in dealing with life-threatening situations. Streptomycin can be absorbed into breast milk. If you are breastfeeding, do not use this medicine without telling your doctor. |
| Drug form | Inject |
Precautions Before Using Streptomycin
There are several things to consider before using streptomycin, including:
- Tell your doctor about any allergies you have. Streptomycin should not be given to patients who are allergic to this drug or to other aminoglycoside antibiotics, such as tobramycin or gentamicin.
- Tell your doctor if you have or are currently suffering from kidney disease, hearing loss, HIV/AIDS, dehydration, myasthenia gravis, extensive skin burns, cystic fibrosis, or neuropathy.
- Tell your doctor if you plan to get vaccinated with a live vaccine, such as the typhoid or BCG vaccine, while on treatment with streptomycin.
- Tell your doctor that you are taking streptomycin if you are having surgery, including dental surgery.
- Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, planning a pregnancy, or are breastfeeding.
- Tell your doctor if you are taking any other medicines, including supplements, or herbal products.
- See your doctor right away if you have an allergic drug reaction, serious side effect, or overdose after taking streptomycin.
Dosage and Instructions for Use of Streptomycin
Streptomycin is given by injection into a muscle (intramuscular / IM) by a doctor or medical officer under the supervision of a doctor. The following is the dose of streptomycin based on the patient's condition:
Condition: Tuberculosis
- Mature: 15 mg/kg, once a day, or 25–35 mg/kg, 1–3 times a week. The maximum dose is 1.5 grams per time of administration.
- Children: 20–40 mg/kg, once a day, or 25–30 mg/kg, 2–3 times a week. The maximum dose is 1.5 grams per time of administration.
Condition: Tularemia
- Mature: 1-2 grams per day divided into several injection schedules, for 7-14 days.
- Children: 15 mg/kg body weight per day, for 10–14 days. The maximum dose is 2 grams per day.
Condition: Plague (plague)
- Mature: 2 grams per day divided into 2 doses, for a minimum of 10 days.
- Children: 30 mg/kgBW per day, divided into 2-3 times. The maximum dose is 2 grams per day.
Condition: Bacterial endocarditis
- Mature: 1 gram, 2 times daily, for the first week, followed by 500 mg, 2 times daily, for the second week. Treatment will usually be combined with penicillin.
- Children: 20–30 mg/kgBW, which is divided into 2 doses. Treatment will usually be combined with penicillin.
Condition:Brucellosis, meningitis, pneumonia, urinary tract infection
- Mature: 1-2 grams per day, divided into 2 doses. The maximum dose is 2 grams per day.
- Children: 20–40 mg/kgBW, divided into 2–4 doses.
How to Use Streptomycin Correctly
Streptomycin will be given directly by a doctor or medical officer under the supervision of a doctor. The drug will be injected into the muscle (intramuscularly), as recommended by the doctor.
Consumption of sufficient water to reduce the risk of impaired kidney function. Do not stop treatment even if the complaints or symptoms have improved. Treatment should be continued until the body is completely free of infection.
Make sure to do the control according to the schedule given by the doctor. While on treatment with streptomycin, you may be asked to have your blood pressure checked, complete blood tests, or blood clotting factor indicators, such as INR, on a regular basis.
InteractionStreptomycin with Other Drugs
The following are the effects of drug interactions that may occur if streptomycin is used together with other medicines:
- Increased risk of kidney damage and nervous system damage if used with neomycin, kanamycin, gentamicin, paromomycin, polymyxin B, colistin, tobramycin, bacitracin or ciclosporin
- Increased risk of hearing loss and kidney damage when used with mannitol or furosemide
- Increased risk of side effects from muscle relaxants, such as pancuronium or atracurium
- Increased risk of impaired renal function if used with cephalosporin antibiotics
- Increased blood levels of streptomycin when used with quinidine or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as aspirin and ibuprofen
- Decreased effectiveness of live vaccines, such as BCG vaccine or typhoid vaccine
Streptomycin Side Effects and Dangers
Some of the side effects that can occur after using streptomycin are:
- Nauseous
- Throw up
- Dizzy
- Stomach ache
- No appetite
- Pain, irritation, redness at the injection site
Check with your doctor if the side effects above do not subside or get worse. Immediately see a doctor if you have an allergic reaction to the drug or experience more serious side effects, such as:
- Headache, dizziness, or spinning dizziness, which is severe
- Severe diarrhea
- Muscle twitching or muscle weakness
- Easy bruising
- Chest pain or fast heart rate
- Infrequent urination or pain when urinating
- Loss of balance, ringing in the ears, or hearing loss
- Tingling or numbness in the hands or feet
- Unusual tiredness or weakness
- Sores or canker sores in the mouth
- Cough or high fever
