Relation between Dose and Levels of Gentamicin in Blood

Abstract

A rapid agar-diffusion assay for the quantitative determination of gentamicin in small volumes of body fluid is described. Gentamicin can be assayed, even in the presence of a penicillin or a cephalosporin, simply and inexpensively. Such methods make it possible to insure concentrations of gentamicin that are therapeutic and to avoid those considered to be possibly toxic. The assay is reliable, reproducible, and the results compare favorably with those obtained by other methods. Experience with the relation between dosage and blood level using this assay following intramuscular and intravenous administration of gentamicin is presented.