6 mins read

Overview: Streptomycin is an antibiotic that is injected into a muscle by a health care professional to treat certain bacterial infections. Serious side effects may include hearing loss, nerve damage, or a type of diarrhea that is difficult to treat. Call your health care provider right away if you get dizzy, feel off balance, have ringing or roaring in your ears, or get watery or bloody diarrhea even up to two months after stopping this medicine.

Uses

What is streptomycin used for?

Streptomycin is an antibiotic that is commonly used for the following infections caused by certain bacteria.

Streptomycin may also be used for other conditions as determined by your health care provider.

Streptomycin may not be the right drug for some of the infections listed above, depending on which germs are causing the infection. Bacteria in some locations may have developed resistance to streptomycin, which will make it not work as well.

How does streptomycin work (mechanism of action)?

Streptomycin kills certain types of bacteria by preventing them from making proteins.

How is streptomycin supplied (dosage forms)?

Brands and other names

  • Streptomycin

Dosage forms and strengths

Streptomycin is available in an injectable form that is given by a health care provider.

How should I store streptomycin?

Streptomycin is usually given by a health care provider in a hospital or clinic. If you will store streptomycin at home, follow the instructions given by your health care provider.

Side Effects

What are the most common side effects of streptomycin?

The most common side effects of streptomycin are listed below. Tell your health care provider if you have any of these side effects that bother you.

  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Feeling off balance
  • Numbness, tingling, or burning sensation in your face
  • Rash and hives
  • Fever
  • Fluid retention and swelling in the face
  • Increased levels of eosinophils (a type of white blood cells)

There may be other side effects of streptomycin that are not listed here. Contact your health care provider if you think you are having a side effect of a medicine. In the U.S., you can report side effects to the FDA at www.fda.gov/medwatch or by calling 800-FDA-1088 (800-332-1088). In Canada, you can report side effects to Health Canada at www.health.gc.ca/medeffect or by calling 866-234-2345.

What are the serious side effects of streptomycin?

While less common, the most serious side effects of streptomycin are described below, along with what to do if they happen.

Severe Allergic Reactions. Streptomycin may cause allergic reactions, which can be serious. Stop using streptomycin and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.

  • Breathing problems or wheezing
  • Racing heart
  • Fever or general ill feeling
  • Swollen lymph nodes
  • Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
  • Trouble swallowing or throat tightness
  • Itching, skin rash, or pale red bumps on the skin called hives
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
  • Stomach cramps
  • Joint pain

Hearing Loss. Streptomycin may be linked to hearing loss, which is also called ototoxicity. The risk of hearing loss is higher if streptomycin is used for longer periods of time or at higher doses. The risk is also higher in people with kidney problems. You may be at higher risk of hearing loss if your mother has a history of hearing loss with streptomycin or any similar medicines. Hearing loss may be permanent. Tell your health care provider right away if you have hearing loss or if you hear a ringing or roaring sound or sense of fullness in your ears.

Nerve Damage. Damage to nerves can happen in people who are using streptomycin. The risk is higher in people with kidney problems. Tell your health care provider if you have symptoms of nerve damage, such as tingling or numbness. Nerve damage can also cause muscle-related symptoms such as muscle twitching, paralysis, or breathing problems.

Antibiotic-associated Diarrhea. An overgrowth of germs called Clostridioides difficile, or “C. diff,” can happen in your gut with many types of antibiotics, including streptomycin. This can cause a condition known as antibiotic-associated diarrhea and can happen even two months or more after stopping the antibiotic. Call your health care provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms of this condition.

  • Watery diarrhea
  • Diarrhea that does not go away
  • Blood in your stool (poop)
  • Severe stomach cramps
  • Fever that starts after you start or finish the medicine

Warnings & Precautions

Who should not use streptomycin?

Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not use streptomycin.

  • Streptomycin
  • Any other medicine known as an aminoglycoside
  • Any of the ingredients in the specific product dispensed

Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in the specific streptomycin products they stock.

What should I know about streptomycin before using it?

Streptomycin is usually given by a health care provider in a hospital or clinic. Do not use streptomycin unless it has been prescribed to you by a health care provider. Use it as prescribed.

Do not share streptomycin with other people, even if they have the same condition as you. It may harm them.

Streptomycin only treats certain infections caused by bacteria. It will not work for infections caused by viruses, such as the common cold, the flu, or coronavirus. It also will not work for any other infections that are not caused by bacteria. Using streptomycin, or any other antibiotic, when it is not needed may cause the antibiotic to not work for bacterial infections in the future.

What should I tell my health care provider before using streptomycin?

Tell your health care provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. This will help them know if streptomycin is right for you.

In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following.

Other Medicines and Supplements. Streptomycin may interact with other medicines and supplements. Before using streptomycin, tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. See the Interactions section for more details.

Family History. Certain genetic factors can increase your chance of hearing loss with streptomycin. For example, if your mother had hearing problems from streptomycin, or a similar medicine, you may be at higher risk of this side effect. Tell your health care provider about any family history of side effects of this type of antibiotic that you know about.

Current and Past Health Conditions. Tell your health care provider if you have any of the following.

  • Kidney problems
  • Hearing problems

Pregnancy. Streptomycin may harm an unborn baby. Tell your health care provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Your health care provider will let you know if you should use streptomycin while you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant.

Breastfeeding. Streptomycin passes into breast milk. Tell your health care provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. Your health care provider will let you know if you should stop breastfeeding or stop streptomycin.

Interactions

Does streptomycin interact with foods or drinks?

There are no known interactions between streptomycin and foods or drinks.

It is unknown if drinking alcohol will affect streptomycin, but heavy drinking can slow your immune response and make it harder for your body to fight infection. 

Does streptomycin interact with other medicines (drug interactions)?

Always tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using.

In particular, make sure that you discuss if you are using any of the following before using streptomycin.

  • An aminoglycoside antibiotic, such as gentamicin, neomycin, or tobramycin, which is a medicine to treat infections caused by certain bacteria
  • Cyclosporine (Gengraf, Neoral, Sandimmune, and others), which is a medicine that suppresses your immune system
  • A diuretic (also called a water pill), such as ethacrynic acid or furosemide, which is a medicine used to reduce edema (fluid retention) and blood pressure
  • A muscle relaxant, such as carisoprodol (Soma), cyclobenzaprine, metaxalone, or tizanidine (Zanaflex)

This may not be a complete list of medicines that can interact with streptomycin. Always check with your health care provider.

Does interact with other drugs you are taking?

Enter your medication into the WebMD interaction checker

Overdose/Missed Dose

What should I do if I accidentally use too much streptomycin?

If you or someone else has used too much streptomycin, get medical help right away, call 911, or contact a Poison Control center at 800-222-1222.

What should I do if I miss a dose of streptomycin?

It is important to complete your prescribed course of streptomycin, even if your symptoms get better or go away. This will reduce the risk that future infections are resistant to streptomycin or other similar medicines.

Streptomycin is usually given by a health care provider in a hospital. Your health care provider will make sure you are receiving streptomycin as scheduled. If you miss an appointment to get your streptomycin dose, call to make another appointment as soon as possible.