Spectinomycin

Indications

Spectinomycin is used for: Gonorrhoea, Acute gonorrheal urethritis, Cervicitis and proctitis

Adult Dose

Intramuscular Gonorrhoea Adult: 2 g as a single dose. In cases whereby antibiotic resistance is prevalent, 4 g (10 mL) may be given but divided as two 5 mL inj, admin to 2 different inj sites.

Child Dose

Intramuscular Gonorrhoea Child: Beyond newborn period and <45 kg: 40 mg/kg as a single dose. Max: 2 g.

Renal Dose

Administration

Contra Indications

Hypersensitivity.

Precautions

Ineffective in the treatment of syphilis and may mask or delay symptoms of incubating syphilis. Pregnancy and lactation. Monitoring Parameters Perform serologic test for syphilis at the time of gonorrhoea diagnosis and 3 mth later.

Pregnancy-Lactation

Interactions

May result in lithium toxicity when used concurrently. May increase or prolong the neuromuscular blocking effect of atracurium.

Adverse Effects

Side effects of Spectinomycin : Nausea, dizziness, fever and chills, insomnia, urticaria, mild to moderate pain after IM inj, alterations in kidney and liver function, decrease in Hb and haematocrit. Potentially Fatal: Anaphylaxis.

Mechanism of Action

Spectinomycin binds to 30S subunit of the bacterial ribosome, thus inhibiting protein synthesis. It has modest activity against a wide range of gm+ve and gm-ve organisms, though anaerobic organisms are mostly resistant.