Amikacin

Brand Names

Amikacin

What is Amikacin

Amikacin is an antibiotic that fights bacteria in the body. This medication is intended to treat severe or serious bacterial infections.

Side effects of Amikacin

Amikacin can cause the following side effects:

• upset stomach
• vomiting
• fatigue
• pale skin

Indication

Amikacin is indicated for the treatment of infections of: central nervous system, urogenital system, biliary and intestinal tracts, skin and subcutaneous tissues, intraabdominal infections, pneumonia, caused by Gram-negative microorganisms, secondary infections after combustion, bacterial septicemia, infections of the bones and joints (caused by sensitive to Amikacin microorganisms).

Precautions

Stop using amikacin if you:

• are allergic to amikacin, gentamicin (Garamycin), kanamycin (Kantrex), neomycin, netilmicin (Netromycin), streptomycin, tobramycin (Nebcin) or any other drugs.
• are taking any other prescription and non-prescription medications, especially diuretics ('water pills'), cisplatin (Platinol), amphotericin (Amphotec, Fungizone), other antibiotics, and vitamins.
• have or have ever had kidney disease, vertigo, hearing loss, ringing in the ears, myasthenia gravis, or Parkinson's disease.
• are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding. If you become pregnant while taking amikacin, call your doctor immediately. Amikacin can harm the fetus.

Dosage forms

The recommended dose of Amikacin

In adults and children with normal renal function, Amikacin is administered intramuscularly as an intravenous bolus or by slow intravenous infusion in a dose of 5 mg/kg body weight given every 8 hours or 7.5 mg/kg body weight every 12 hours for a period of 7-10 days. Before the infusion 500 mg Amikacin is dissolved in 200 mg saline or other suitable solution. The infusion duration is 30-60 minutes. The maximum daily dose should not exceed 15 mg/kg body weight, and the total dose for one treatment course should be bellow 15 g.

In newborn and prematurely born infants, the single initial dose of Amikacin is 10 mg/kg body weight. After this dose the treatment continues with a dose of 7.5 mg/kg body weight given every 12 hours during the following 7-10 days. Amikacin can be used in a single daily dose of 1 g intramuscularly or 15 mg/kg body weight intravenously.

In patients with disturbed renal function, the dose should be reduced and Amikacin is injected at longer intervals to avoid possible cumulation. In these cases, dosage should be determined based on the creatinine clearance and the serum creatinine level.