Streptomycin
Streptomycin is an aminoglycoside antibiotic used to treat serious bacterial infections, including tuberculosis, plague, and tularemia.
Streptomycin is an injectable aminoglycoside antibiotic primarily used for tuberculosis, plague, and other serious bacterial infections when other antibiotics are not suitable.
This medication carries a boxed (black box) warning — the strongest type of FDA warning. Review the full prescribing information before use.
Key facts at a glance
- ATC
- J01G04
- RxNorm
- unknown
- Generic
- Streptomycin
- Class
- atc-a07
- Brands
- —
- Availability
- otc
- Pregnancy
- D
- Lactation
- caution
- Half-life (h)
- 3
- Onset (min)
- 0
- Duration (h)
- 0
- Routes
- intramuscular, intravenous
- Forms
- injection
- Regions
- United States, Europe, Asia, Africa, Latin America
- Monitoring
- hearing, kidney function
This page is for informational purposes only.
Do not use this information to diagnose yourself or to replace a physician's advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing any medication. If you believe you are experiencing a medical emergency, call your local emergency number immediately.
Streptomycin is used to treat tuberculosis (particularly in combination therapy for drug-resistant cases), plague (Yersinia pestis infection), tularemia (Francisella tularensis), and certain other serious gram-negative bacterial infections. It may also be used in the treatment of bacterial endocarditis caused by susceptible organisms.
Streptomycin is an aminoglycoside antibiotic that works by binding to the bacterial 30S ribosomal subunit, thereby inhibiting protein synthesis. This leads to misreading of the genetic code and ultimately bacterial cell death. It is bactericidal, meaning it actively kills susceptible bacteria rather than simply stopping their growth.
Streptomycin is administered by intramuscular or intravenous injection and is not absorbed orally. It carries significant risks of nephrotoxicity (kidney damage) and ototoxicity (hearing loss and vestibular damage), which require regular monitoring of drug levels, kidney function, and hearing. It should be used with caution in patients with pre-existing kidney disease, hearing disorders, or myasthenia gravis. Pregnancy is a contraindication due to potential harm to the fetus.
Official drug label
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This information is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
This content is for general informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the guidance of a qualified healthcare provider with any questions you have about a medical condition, and never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you read here.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your local emergency number or go to the nearest emergency department immediately.
Medically reviewed by WellAlly Editorial Team Last reviewed August 26, 2026. · Read our editorial policy