Netilmicin therapy of patients with septicaemia and other severe infections.

25 patients were treated with netilmicin because of suspected or verified septicaemia or other severe infections. Netilmicin was administered intramuscularly in a dose of 2 mg/kg body weight every 8 hours. For patients with elevated plasma creatinine the dosage was reduced according to the degree of elevation. Average length of treatment was 7 days (3-12 days). In 22 patients all symptoms and signs of infection disappeared. In one patient antibiotic treatment had to be changed and in two patients abscesses had to be surgically drained. Kidney function was monitored during and after treatment by plasma creatinine measurements and 51Cr-EDTA clearance. Netilmicin was discontinued in 4 patients because of an increase in plasma creatinine but little or no drug related nephrotoxicity was observed. Audio-vestibular function was monitored during and after treatment. Netilmicin was discontinued in one patient because of slight subjective loss of hearing. Subsequent audio-vestibular examination was normal.