Patented in 1962, Gentamicin is an antibiotic that works by disrupting the ability of the bacteria to make proteins, which typically kills the bacteria. Basically, this antibiotic is used to treat several types of bacterial infections including bone infections, endocarditis, pelvic inflammatory disease, meningitis, pneumonia, urinary tract infections, and sepsis among others. However, Gentamicin is not effective for gonorrhea or chlamydia infections. It is worth noting that this medicine can cause inner ear problems and kidney problems. As for the inner ear problems, they can include problems with balance and hearing loss, not to mention that they may even be permanent. If used during pregnancy, Gentamicin can cause harm to the developing baby, yet it appears to be safe for use during breastfeeding.