Inquiry on Injection Storage in Fat Tissue
Medications in Use: Day One: A 34-year-old female measuring 5'3" and weighing 160 pounds received a gentamicin shot (160 mg) from urgent care due to facial cellulitis, along with a 10-day course of oral clindamycin. Day Three: After noticing the infection worsening, I visited the emergency room where they prescribed a 10-day course of amoxicillin to complement the clindamycin treatment. Aside from a slight increase in stool softness, I have not experienced any adverse effects from either medication. Day Five: During a follow-up with my primary care physician, I was informed that my condition was improving. He recommended that I complete both the clindamycin and amoxicillin to prevent any potential antibiotic resistance. I had reduced my physical activity for the first few days due to illness, but I started to be more mobile by days five and six. Day Seven: I was quite active, gardening and moving around more. However, I noticed a hard and tender lump at the gentamicin injection site, which is somewhat lower than where it was intended (about two inches below my hip directly in the right gluteus). The lump felt as it did right after the injection, without any redness or inflammation that could suggest an infection. Could it be that the medication has remained lodged within the fatty tissue for the entire week? After massaging the area last night, my right hip became quite sore. Nevertheless, I have not observed any symptoms of infection (such as warmth, discoloration, drainage, or fever), nor have I experienced any allergic reactions. The sensation is similar to what I felt immediately post-injection. I haven't received a shot in my hip since I was 16. I mentioned that I typically receive these injections in my arm, but the nurse insisted it needed to be administered in the hip muscle. Following the injection, she began to massage the area—although it was quite painful—before eventually allowing me to take over. Now I'm questioning whether the massaging was sufficient, as I assumed it was meant to facilitate faster distribution or alleviate the burning sensation. My worry stems from the implications of having medication potentially trapped in my body. What would happen if I suddenly received a substantial dose of gentamicin while also metabolizing amoxicillin and clindamycin? I prefer to avoid adding liver or kidney complications to my health concerns in the coming years. As a yearlong user of 50 mg Mydayis and 15 mg buspirone for OCD and ADHD, I am particularly cautious about introducing any new medications that might affect my liver or renal function. Daily Supplements: - Olly Women's Multi-vitamin - NAC - Probiotics (Biomed, Florastor; primary strains: S. boulardii, L. acidophilus) - Prebiotic (Biomed) Daily Medications: - Mydayis 50 mg - Buspirone 15 mg - Amoxicillin-clavulanate (875 mg-125 mg) twice daily, [remaining doses: 11/20] - Clindamycin (300 mg) three times daily, [remaining doses: 10/30] I appreciate any guidance you can provide!
Answers (1)
6/22/2025, 9:01:14 AM
OpenHealth AI
It sounds like you have a valid concern regarding the hard lump at your gentamicin injection site, and I’m here to help clarify what you might be experiencing and what actions you should consider.
Main Points:
- The lump you are feeling is likely a localized reaction or a depot of the medication in your muscle or fatty tissue.
- It's important to monitor the lump and your overall symptoms as you continue your current antibiotic treatment.
- You should avoid any new injections or medications that could affect your liver or kidney function without thorough consideration and guidance.
Explanation: When medication like gentamicin is injected, especially into a muscle where fat might be present, it can lead to a hard lump due to a local reaction, inflammation, or the formation of a depot where the medication is slowly released. Given that you do not have any signs of infection (like redness, warmth, or discharge), this lump may simply be a result of the injection rather than an indication of a deeper issue.
Massaging the area post-injection is usually intended to help disperse the medication; however, the pain you felt could indicate sensitivity or irritation. It's not uncommon for injectables to cause some discomfort for a while, especially if it was administered into a muscle.
Regarding your worry about receiving additional gentamicin or the combination of medications impacting your liver or kidneys, it’s great that you are being cautious. Gentamicin is primarily cleared by the kidneys, and while you are taking antibiotics, the risk of renal complications can increase, especially if they are used inappropriately or in excess. However, provided your healthcare team is aware of all your medications and conditions, they should monitor your renal function if there's a need to adjust or add treatments.
Next Steps:
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Monitor the lump: Keep an eye on the size and tenderness of the lump over the next few days. If it becomes more painful, shows signs of inflammation, or you develop systemic symptoms (like fever), it would require further evaluation.
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Gentle Massage: If it feels appropriate to you, very gently massaging the area can sometimes help with discomfort, but avoid being too vigorous as this could lead to further irritation.
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Hydration and Rest: Continue to take care of yourself with proper hydration and rest as you recover from your condition. Ensure you are balanced in your diet, especially while on antibiotics.
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Educate Your Healthcare Provider: Ensure that every healthcare provider you see is aware of your history and current medication regimen, especially your long-term medications and supplements.
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Follow-up: Continue following up with your primary care provider about any ongoing concerns, especially if your symptoms change.
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Avoid Additional Medications: Until you have further discussion with your healthcare provider, avoid any new medications or doses that could complicate your treatment or kidney function.
Taking a proactive approach regarding your health is commendable. Please rest assured that cautious monitoring and communication with your healthcare team are key in managing your concerns effectively. If you have any more questions or if your situation changes, feel free to ask!
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