A 50-year-old man. Urinary tract infection. The doctor prescribed Gentamicin injection.
The patient took it for 7 days. His infection cleared. But something else happened.
His urine decreased. His legs swelled. He felt tired and confused.
He returned to the hospital. The diagnosis: acute kidney injury. Gentamicin toxicity.
Gentamicin is an aminoglycoside antibiotic. It's effective against severe infections. But it's also nephrotoxic — it can damage the kidneys.
The risk increases with:
- High doses
- Long treatment courses (more than 5 days)
- Dehydration
- Older age
- Pre-existing kidney problems
This patient had none of the risk factors. He was healthy. He just took the drug as prescribed.
He survived. But his kidney function dropped to 40%. He now needs regular checkups and a strict diet. His life changed forever.
Antibiotics are life-saving — but they are not harmless. Always ask your doctor:
- Why this antibiotic?
- How long should I take it?
- What are the side effects?
Don't trust any drug blindly. Not even the ones that save lives.
Have you or someone you know ever had a bad reaction to an antibiotic? Share below.