Netilmicin. A review of its antibacterial activity, pharmacokinetic properties and therapeutic use.

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Campoli-Richards DM, Chaplin S, Sayce RH, Goa KL

Netilmicin. A review of its antibacterial activity, pharmacokinetic properties and therapeutic use.

Drugs. 1989 Nov;38(5):703-56. doi: 10.2165/00003495-198938050-00003.

PubMed ID

2689137 [ View in PubMed

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Abstract

Netilmicin is a semisynthetic aminoglycoside derived from sisomicin. It is active against most Gram-negative and some Gram-positive bacteria, including many gentamicin-resistant strains. Netilmicin has proved to be effective in Gram-negative infections of the urinary tract, skin and skin structure, and lower respiratory tract, as well as in intra-abdominal infections, septicaemia and other miscellaneous infections. In some trials, the more easily implemented once daily administration of netilmicin has been as effective as multiple dosing regimens. However, further investigation is required to confirm that efficacy and safety are not compromised with once daily administration. Comparative studies have generally revealed similar clinical and bacteriological efficacies between netilmicin and gentamicin, amikacin or tobramycin. As with other aminoglycosides, the principal adverse effects of netilmicin are nephrotoxicity and ototoxicity. Although animal studies strongly suggest that these are less common with netilmicin than with related drugs, there appears to be no difference in their incidence in clinical use; in clinical trials the incidence of nephrotoxicity and ototoxicity has been low, with the symptoms in many cases being minor and reversible. Netilmicin is, therefore, an effective antibacterial drug for the parenteral treatment of severe infections, offering theoretical advantages in safety which may indicate its use for patients believed to be at risk of adverse effects.

DrugBank Data that Cites this Article

Drug Targets

Drug	Target	Kind	Organism	Pharmacological Action	Actions
Netilmicin	30S ribosomal protein S12	Protein	Escherichia coli (strain K12)	Yes	Inhibitor	Details