What it means
An antibiotic that is poorly absorbed from the gut. By mouth it is used to clean the bowel before surgery and sometimes for hepatic encephalopathy, to cut down the bacteria that make ammonia. It is a common ingredient in skin ointments with bacitracin and polymyxin B (Neosporin), and a frequent cause of skin allergy. Any absorbed drug can damage the kidneys and hearing.
For the nurse
With oral use, watch kidney function, hearing and balance, especially in clients with kidney disease. Teach the client to stop the ointment if a rash or itching appears.
At a glance
| Drug class | aminoglycoside antibiotic |
|---|---|
| Brand names | with bacitracin and polymyxin B: Neosporin (topical) |
Related terms
antibiotic
A drug that kills bacteria or stops them from growing.
lactulose
A man-made sugar syrup that draws water into the bowel and lowers ammonia in the blood.
tobramycin
An aminoglycoside antibiotic given by IV, by inhalation or as eye drops for serious gram-negative infections.
streptomycin
An aminoglycoside antibiotic given by injection, used mainly for tuberculosis and a few rare infections.