Streptomycin

Uses	Tuberculosis
Therapy	Antibiotic
Side Effects	Nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, unusual tiredness

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Molecule Description

Streptomycin is an antibiotic primarily used to treat moderate to severe tuberculosis and other serious bacterial infections such as plague and tularemia. It is mainly used to treat tuberculosis when all other primary agents don't work. It kills the bacteria by inhibiting the protein synthesis in them.

Uses

Tuberculosis
Tularemia (Skin, lung, and eye disease)
Plague
Bacterial endocarditis (Bacterial heart disease)

Contraindications

When should one not use Streptomycin

Streptomycin should be avoided in infants.
If you are allergic to streptomycin or other aminoglycoside antibiotics.

Side effects

Common side effects of this drug are:

Nausea
Sore throat
Swelling in the glands
Unsteadiness
Vomiting
Vision problems
Tremors
Unusual tiredness
Shortness of breath
Dizziness
Hearing problems or ringing in the ears
Kidney problems

Precautions and Warnings

Pregnancy

Studies have shown that Streptomycin can have adverse effects on the foetus. Hence it is unsafe to take the medicine if you are pregnant or planning for pregnancy. Streptomycin is prescribed only under certain specific conditions.

Breast Feeding

Please consult your doctor before using Streptomycin while breastfeeding.

Driving

It is not advisable to drive after taking Streptomycin. This is because the medicine can cause dizziness and vision problems.

Alcohol

There is no known interaction between alcohol and Streptomycin. However, consult your doctor before consuming alcohol.

Other General Warnings

Talk to your doctor if

You should get a baseline audiometric examination before starting the course of Streptomycin.
You have any allergic reactions to food, preservatives, or dyes you have had in the past.
You have pre-existing kidney disease, hearing problems, and nerve problems before taking Streptomycin.
You should inform your doctor about all the medicines that you have been prescribed.
Streptomycin should be used with caution in children and the elderly, as its effect in them is unknown; the dose may need adjustment.
If you have kidney disease, dose modification and monitoring are required.
If you have tinnitus (abnormal ringing in the ears) or a sensation of fullness in the ears, it should be assessed with an appropriate audiometric examination.

Mode of Action

How Does It Work?

Streptomycin belongs to a class known as aminoglycosides. The mechanism of action of aminoglycoside is to inhibit the synthesis of protein in the bacteria. This eventually leads to the death of the bacteria. Hence, it is bactericidal in action.

Interactions

Interactions with other medicines

Amphotericin B: Might enhance the nephrotoxic effect of Streptomycin.
Arbekacin: May enhance the nephrotoxic and ototoxic effects of Aminoglycosides.
Ataluren: May enhance the adverse effect of Aminoglycosides. Specifically, an increased risk of nephrotoxicity may occur with concomitant use of ataluren and aminoglycosides.
Bacitracin (Systemic): Streptomycin may enhance the nephrotoxic effect of Bacitracin (Systemic).
BCG (Intravesical): Antibiotics may decrease the efficacy of BCG (Intravesical).
Bisphosphonate Derivatives: Aminoglycosides along with Bisphosphonate can cause hypocalcemia.
Botulinum Toxin-Containing Products: Aminoglycosides might enhance the neuromuscular-blocking effect of Botulinum Toxin-Containing Products.
Capreomycin: Might enhance the neuromuscular-blocking effect of Aminoglycosides.
Carboplatin: Aminoglycosides may enhance the ototoxic effect of Carboplatin. Especially with higher doses of carboplatin.
Cefazedone: May enhance the nephrotoxic effect of Aminoglycosides.
Cephalosporins: May enhance the nephrotoxic effect of Aminoglycosides. Monitor therapy

Interactions with food items

There aren't any reports that suggest the interaction of food with Streptomycin.

Dosage

Overdose

In case of an overdose of Streptomycin, you should rush to the nearest emergency room. Symptoms of overdose include difficulty in breathing, dizziness or tinnitus.

Missed a Dose

In case you missed a dose of Streptomycin, you should consult your physician for necessary action.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

The dose of Streptomycin is calculated by considering your age, pre-existing health conditions, and current condition. For example, if you have kidney disease, then the dose of the medicine is decreased to decrease the chances of toxicity in your body. Additional investigations are advised to monitor the function of the kidney. Similarly, in the elderly population, the dose is reduced to avoid complications of overdosing.

Streptomycin is given by an intramuscular route. Generally, a large muscle is chosen, for example, buttocks. The site of administration should be changed alternatively.

A few investigations should be done while taking Streptomycin. However, these tests are not mandatory, and a doctor should be consulted before conducting them. Kidney function tests, audiometric evaluations, and nerve tests are the most common tests that can be done to monitor the adverse effects of the medicine.

No, Streptomycin is not known to be habit-forming. It should be taken only for the duration it has been prescribed. The dose should be monitored as well. This is to prevent the side effects of the medicine. If you do not get any relief from your symptoms, you should inform your doctor about the same.

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References:

Protein synthesis inhibitors - MeSH - NCBI [Internet]. Nih.gov. [cited 2026 Jun 15].

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