Aminoglycoside Facts for Kids

Aminoglycosides are a special group of medicines called antibiotics. Antibiotics are used to fight off infections caused by tiny living things called bacteria. Aminoglycosides are especially good at fighting a type of bacteria known as "gram-negative" bacteria.

When scientists look at bacteria under a microscope, they often use special dyes. "Gram-negative" bacteria are those that don't hold onto a specific purple dye (called Crystal Violet) during a test. This helps scientists figure out what kind of bacteria they are dealing with and which antibiotic will work best.

Most of the time, aminoglycosides are given as a shot into a vein or muscle. This is because your body doesn't absorb them well if you just swallow them as a regular pill for most infections. However, they can be used in other ways too:

As a cream or ointment to prevent or treat skin infections.
As eye drops for infections in the eyes.
As ear drops for infections in the ears.
As a pill specifically for infections in the intestines, but not for other internal infections.

When Are They Used?
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When Are They Used?

Antibiotics from the aminoglycoside family can be used for patients who cannot take some common antibiotics, like Penicillin, because they have allergies. Two common aminoglycosides used as alternatives to Penicillin are Erythromycin and Clarithromycin. They are often used to treat bacterial infections, such as Bronchitis, which is an infection of the tubes that carry air to your lungs.