Streptomycin Sulfate

This medication can sometimes cause serious nerve damage, possibly resulting in permanent hearing loss and balance problems. The risk is higher if you have kidney disease, if you are receiving high doses of this medication, if you use this drug for a long time, if you are an older adult (older than 60 years), or if you develop a severe loss of body water (become dehydrated). To reduce the risk of dehydration, drink plenty of fluids while using this medication unless your doctor directs you otherwise. Before starting streptomycin, tell your doctor if you already have kidney or hearing problems.

Tell your doctor right away if you notice ringing/roaring in the ears, headache, hearing loss, balance problems, unusual drowsiness, dizziness, vision changes, or numbness/tingling of the skin.

Your doctor will monitor your progress to reduce the risk of these side effects and may test your hearing, kidneys, and streptomycin blood level. This medication may be stopped if you develop kidney problems or hearing problems.

If possible, you should avoid using any other medications that may harm the kidneys or nerves while using streptomycin (such as cidofovir, cisplatin, cyclosporine, other aminoglycoside antibiotics such as gentamicin/tobramycin, among others).

Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist that you are using this medication. This drug may affect many of the drugs used during surgery and may increase your risk of side effects.

See also Warning section.

Drug interactions may change how your medications work or increase your risk for serious side effects. This document does not contain all possible drug interactions. Keep a list of all the products you use (including prescription/nonprescription drugs and herbal products) and share it with your doctor and pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicines without your doctor's approval.

Some products that may interact with this drug include: amphotericin B, high doses of aspirin/NSAIDs such as ibuprofen/naproxen.

If your doctor has directed you to take low doses of aspirin to prevent heart attack or stroke (usually 81-162 milligrams a day), you should continue to take the aspirin. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more details.

See also Warning section.

Nausea, vomiting, stomach upset, or loss of appetite may occur. Pain/irritation/redness may occur at the injection site. If any of these effects last or get worse, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly.

Remember that this medication has been prescribed because your doctor has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects.

Tell your doctor right away if you have any serious side effects, including: muscle weakness, diarrhea that doesn't go away even after stopping this medication, easy bleeding/bruising, fast heartbeat, new signs of infections (such as sore throat that doesn't go away, fever, chills), signs of kidney problems (such as change in the amount of urine), unusual tiredness.

Use of this medication for prolonged or repeated periods may result in oral thrush or a new vaginal yeast infection. Contact your doctor if you notice white patches in your mouth, a change in vaginal discharge, or other new symptoms.

A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. However, get medical help right away if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing.

This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

In the US -

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or at www.fda.gov/safety/medwatch-fda-safety-information-and-adverse-event-reporting-program.

In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.

This medication is given by injection into a muscle as directed by your doctor. The dosage is based on your medical condition, weight, streptomycin blood levels, and response to treatment.

When you start treatment for TB, this medication is usually given once a day or as directed by your doctor. Medication to treat tuberculosis is usually used for 9 months or longer. After you receive streptomycin daily for 1 to 2 months, your doctor may direct you to receive this medication less often (such as 2 to 3 times a week). Your doctor may direct you to stop using this medication before stopping your other TB medications. It is very important to keep using streptomycin and your other medications exactly as prescribed by your doctor.

If you are giving this medication to yourself at home, learn all preparation and usage instructions from your health care professional. Before using, check this product for particles or discoloration. If either is present, do not use the liquid. Before injecting each dose, clean the skin you are going to inject into (the injection site) with rubbing alcohol. Change the injection site each time to lessen injury under the skin. Learn how to store and discard medical supplies safely.

Do not stop taking this medication (or other TB medicines/antibiotics) even for a short time unless directed to do so by your doctor. Skipping or changing your dose without approval from your doctor may worsen side effects or make the infection (especially TB) more difficult to treat (resistant). If TB becomes resistant to this medication, it might also become resistant to other TB medications.

For the best effect, use this antibiotic at evenly spaced times. To help you remember, mark your calendar with a reminder.

Tell your doctor right away if your infection symptoms return (such as fever, chills, body aches) while you are using this medication or after you stop using it.

See also Warning section.

Before using streptomycin injection, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or to other aminoglycoside antibiotics (such as tobramycin, gentamicin); or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.

Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: kidney problems, hearing problems, dehydration, a certain muscle problem (myasthenia gravis), burns over a large area of skin, cystic fibrosis.

Streptomycin may cause live bacterial vaccines (such as BCG, typhoid vaccine) to not work well. Tell your health care professional that you are using streptomycin before having any immunizations/vaccinations.

Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist about all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products).

Older adults may be more sensitive to the side effects of this drug, especially kidney and hearing effects.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. You should not become pregnant while using streptomycin. Streptomycin may harm an unborn baby. If you become pregnant, talk to your doctor right away about the risks and benefits of this medication.

This medication passes into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breastfeeding.

If someone has overdosed and has serious symptoms such as passing out or trouble breathing, call 911. Otherwise, call a poison control center right away. US residents can call 1-800-222-1222. Canada residents can call 1-844-764-7669. Symptoms may include: extreme drowsiness, slow/shallow breathing, inability to move.

Store unmixed medication at room temperature away from light. Keep all medications away from children and pets.

Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company.

Lab and/or medical tests (such as kidney function, hearing tests, streptomycin levels) should be done while you are using this medication. Keep all medical and lab appointments. Consult your doctor for more details.