Netilmicin is a semisynthetic aminoglycoside that is used to treat bacterial infections within the body such as bacteremia, septicemia, respiratory tract infections, skin and soft tissue infections, burns, wounds, and peri-operative infections. It is a 1-N-ethyl derivative of sisomycin, that is similar to that of gentamicin except for the reduced ototoxicity and nephrotoxicity. Its mechanism of action is to inhibit protein synthesis by irreversibly binding to the 30S ribosomal subunit (protein S12) and interfering with the mRNA binding and acceptor tRNA sites. Due to its interference with mRNA binding and tRNA wobble base pairing this leads to misreading and early termination of peptides that are rendered nonfunctional or toxic, stunting the bacterial growth and development. It is commonly administered intramuscularly and is rapidly absorbed.

Netilmicin Pathway References