Streptomycin Side Effects

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on May 29, 2024.

Applies to streptomycin: intramuscular powder for solution.

Precautions

Your doctor will check your progress closely while you or your child are receiving this medicine. This will allow your doctor to see if the medicine is working properly and to decide if you or your child should continue to receive it. Blood, urine, nerve, and hearing tests may be needed to check for unwanted effects.

You will need to see your doctor after finishing this medicine to make sure your infection is gone. You may also need to see your doctor again in four months to have a repeat blood test done for other infections such as syphilis.

If your or your child's symptoms do not improve within a few days, or if they become worse, check with your doctor.

Using this medicine while you are pregnant can harm your unborn baby. Use an effective form of birth control to keep from getting pregnant. If you think you have become pregnant while using the medicine, tell your doctor right away.

This medicine may cause serious allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis, which can be life-threatening and require immediate medical attention. Call your doctor right away if you or your child have itching; hives; hoarseness; shortness of breath; trouble breathing; trouble swallowing; or any swelling of your hands, face, or mouth after you receive this medicine.

High doses of streptomycin injection may cause serious reactions (e.g., syndrome of CNS depression) for a young infant. Infants should not receive a dose of this medicine that is higher than the recommended dose.

Stop using this medicine and check with your doctor right away if you or your child have sudden decrease in hearing or loss of hearing, which may be accompanied by dizziness and ringing in the ears. Tell your doctor if you or your child have dizziness or lightheadedness; feeling of constant movement of self or surroundings; or sensation of spinning. These may be symptoms of damage to your hearing or sense of balance.

Make sure your doctor knows that you or your child are using this medicine before having a surgery or other procedures that require you to receive a numbing medicine (e.g., anesthetics, neuromuscular blocking agents). Using streptomycin injection together with numbing medicines may increase your risk of having difficulty in breathing, drowsiness, inability to breath without assistance, or unusual tiredness or weakness.

Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. This includes prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines and herbal or vitamin supplements.

Serious side effects of streptomycin

Along with its needed effects, streptomycin may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor or nurse immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking streptomycin:

Other side effects of streptomycin

Some side effects of streptomycin may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.

Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

For healthcare professionals

Applies to streptomycin: compounding powder, intramuscular powder for injection.

Nervous system adverse events

• Common (1% to 10%): Paresthesia of face, vertigo, vestibular ototoxicity
• Frequency not reported: Vestibular dysfunction^[Ref]

Vestibular ototoxicity included nausea, vomiting, and vertigo.^[Ref]

Dermatologic

• Common (1% to 10%): Angioneurotic edema, rash, urticaria
• Frequency not reported: Exfoliative dermatitis^[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

• Common (1% to 10%): Nausea, vomiting^[Ref]

Hematologic

• Common (1% to 10%): Eosinophilia
• Frequency not reported: Hemolytic anemia, leukopenia, pancytopenia, thrombocytopenia^[Ref]

Renal

• Frequency not reported: Azotemia, nephrotoxicity^[Ref]

Ocular

• Frequency not reported: Amblyopia, hearing impairment^[Ref]

Other

• Common (1% to 10%): Fever
• Frequency not reported: Cochlear ototoxicity, deafness^[Ref]

Musculoskeletal

• Frequency not reported: Muscular weakness^[Ref]

Hypersensitivity

• Frequency not reported: Anaphylaxis^[Ref]

See also:

Further information

Streptomycin side effects can vary depending on the individual. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Note: Medication side effects may be underreported. If you are experiencing side effects that are not listed, submit a report to the FDA by following this guide.

Medical Disclaimer