The use of netilmicin in a district general hospital

Twenty patients with a variety of serious or difficult infections and 5 additional orthopaedic patients with clinical evidence of post-operative wound infection were treated with netilmicin. The results indicate that twice daily dosage with 150 mg intramuscularly, either alone or in combination with other antibiotic therapy, was highly effective. Overall, 25 (96%) infections responded clinically and 19 (73%) were improved bacteriologically. There was no evidence of ototoxicity: a number of patients had impaired renal function which developed during therapy, but all returned to normal or pre-treatment levels by the time that treatment was completed, despite the fact that 15 patients were receiving diuretics. It is suggested in view of its effectiveness, more predictable serum levels after standard dosage and apparent lack of toxicity, that netilmicin should be considered as the first choice aminoglycoside antibiotic instead of gentamicin.