Streptomycin

Streptomycin is a prescription medication used to treat Moderate-Severe Infections, Tuberculosis, Tularemia, Plague, Streptococcal Endocarditis, Enterococcal Endocarditis, and Brucellosis. 

• Streptomycin is available under the following different brand names: N/A

Adult dosage

Powder for injection

• 1g

Pediatric dosage

Powder for injection

• 1g

Injectable solution

• 400mg/mL

Moderate-Severe Infection

Adult dosage

• 1-2 g/day IM divided every 6-12 hours; no more than 2 g/day

Pediatric dosage

• 20-40 mg/kg/day IM divided every 6-12 hours

Tuberculosis

Adult dosage

• Daily therapy: 15 mg/kg IM once daily; no more than 1 g/day
• Twice weekly therapy: 25-30 mg/kg IM 2 times/week; no more than 1.5 g/day

Pediatric dosage

• Daily therapy: 20-40 mg/kg IM once daily; no more than 1 g/day
• Twice weekly therapy: 20-40 mg/kg IM 2 times/week; no more than 1.5 g/day

Tularemia

Adult dosage

• 1-2 g IM in divided doses for 7-10 days or until the patient is afebrile for 5-7 days

Plague

Adult dosage

• 15 mg/kg IM every 12 hours for a minimum of 10 days

Pediatric dosage

• 15 mg/kg IM every 12 hours for a minimum of 10 days; no more than 2 g/day

Streptococcal Endocarditis

Adult dosage

• 1 g IM every 12 hours for 7 days, then 500 mg every 12 hours for 7 days, concomitant with penicillin
• If over 60 years old, 500 mg every 12 hours for the entire 14 days

Enterococcal Endocarditis

Adult dosage

• 1 g IM every 12 hours for 2 weeks, then 500 mg every 12 hours for 4 weeks, concomitant with penicillin 

Brucellosis

Adult dosage

• 1 g IM once daily/twice daily for 1 week, then once daily for 1 week in conjunction with doxycycline or tetracycline

Pediatric dosage

• Children older than 8 years of age: 20 mg/kg IM divided every 12 hours during 7-14 days of tetracycline or co-trimoxazole therapy; no more than 1 g/day

Dosage Considerations – Should be Given as Follows: 

• See “Dosages”.

Common side effects of Streptomycin include:

• nausea, 
• vomiting, 
• stomach upset,  
• loss of appetite, and
• pain, redness, or irritation may occur at the injection site 

Serious side effects of Streptomycin include:

• muscle weakness, 
• persistent diarrhea (even after stopping this medication), 
• unusual bleeding, 
• easy bruising,
• fast heartbeat, 
• high fever, 
• persistent cough, 
• change in the amount of urine, 
• unusual tiredness, 
• white patches in the mouth, 
• change in vaginal discharge, 
• rash, 
• itching, 
• swelling of the face, tongue, or throat, 
• severe dizziness, and
• trouble breathing

Rare side effects of Streptomycin include:

• none 

This is not a complete list of side effects and other serious side effects or health problems may occur as a result of the use of this drug. Call your doctor for medical advice about serious side effects or adverse reactions. You may report side effects or health problems to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

If your medical doctor is using this medicine to treat your pain, your doctor or pharmacist may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for them. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with your doctor, health care provider, or pharmacist first

• Streptomycin has severe interactions with no other drugs.
• Streptomycin has serious interactions with at least 18 other drugs.
• Streptomycin has moderate interactions with at least 63 other drugs.
• Streptomycin has minor interactions with at least 76 other drugs.

This information does not contain all possible interactions or adverse effects. Visit the RxList Drug Interaction Checker for any drug interactions. Therefore, before using this drug, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all the drugs you use. Keep a list of all your medications with you, and share the list with your doctor and pharmacist. Check with your physician if you have health questions or concerns.

Contraindications

• Hypersensitivity to streptomycin or other aminoglycosides; severe hypersensitivity to sulfites
• Concomitant live bacterial vaccines

Effects of drug abuse

• None

Short-Term Effects

• See “What Are Side Effects Associated with Using Streptomycin?”

Long-Term Effects

• See “What Are Side Effects Associated with Using Streptomycin?”

Cautions

• For tuberculosis, do not exceed 120 g total over course of treatment; discontinue in case of toxicity or organism resistance
• For endocarditis, discontinue in case of ototoxicity
• Reduce dosage in case of renal impairment: serum conc. should not exceed 20-25 mcg/mL

Pregnancy and Lactation

• Use only in LIFE-THREATENING emergencies when no safer drug is available in pregnancy. 
• Enters breast milk (AAP Committee states compatible with nursing)