Gangrene

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Apr 6, 2025.

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Gangrene may be caused by conditions that stop blood flow, or a bacterial infection. Gangrene is a life-threatening condition that needs immediate treatment. Gangrene is treated with surgery to remove the dead tissue. In severe cases, part of your arm or leg may also be removed.

WHILE YOU ARE HERE:

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Monitoring:

Your heart rate, blood pressure, and breathing will be monitored closely. Your intake and output will be measured. Healthcare providers will keep track of the amount of liquid you are getting. They also may need to know how much you are urinating. You may need a Foley catheter to help measure your urine. A Foley catheter is a tube that is put into your bladder to drain urine.

Medicines:

• Antibiotics help treat an infection caused by bacteria.
• Pain medicine may be given. Do not wait until the pain is severe before you ask for more medicine.
• Acetaminophen decreases pain and fever.

Drugs used to treat this and similar conditions

Tests:

• Blood and urine tests may be done to check for infection, blood cell levels, and kidney function.
• X-ray, ultrasound, or CT pictures may be done to check for damage to deeper tissues. You may be given contrast liquid to help the tissues show up better in pictures. Tell a healthcare provider if you have ever had an allergic reaction to contrast liquid.

Treatment:

• Hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) therapy is used to increase oxygen to your tissues. This will help you heal faster and prevent the infection from getting worse. The oxygen is given under pressure inside a pressure chamber. You may need to have this therapy more than 1 time.
• Surgery is needed to remove the dead tissue.

Treatment options

The following list of medications are related to or used in the treatment of this condition.

• Plavix
• clopidogrel
• Xarelto
• Zontivity
• rivaroxaban

View more treatment options

RISKS:

The infection may spread to the rest of your body. This may lead to shock or a coma. Shock is a condition that causes your organs to stop working correctly.

CARE AGREEMENT:

You have the right to help plan your care. Learn about your health condition and how it may be treated. Discuss treatment options with your healthcare providers to decide what care you want to receive. You always have the right to refuse treatment.

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The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

Further information

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