Other Brands/Names

Alostil, Amiosin, Amyofarc, Glybotic, Mikaject, Mikasin, Simikan, Verdix.

How It Works

Amikacin injection belongs to a class of medications called aminoglycoside antibiotics. This drug works by eliminating bacteria that are responsible for causing a variety of infections.

Indications

Amikacin is used to treat serious infections caused by bacteria, including meningitis (infection of the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord) and infections in the blood, gastrointestinal tract (stomach area), lungs, skin, bones, joints, and urinary tract.

Contraindications

• Do not use amikacin if you have a history of allergic reactions to amikacin or other aminoglycoside antibiotics like gentamicin, kanamycin, neomycin, streptomycin, or tobramycin.

• Inform your doctor if you have or have ever had cystic fibrosis (a genetic disorder affecting the lungs and digestive system) or muscle disorders such as myasthenia gravis or Parkinson’s disease.

• Do tell your doctor if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding. If you become pregnant while using amikacin, contact your doctor immediately, as this medication may harm the fetus.

Side Effects

Some common side effects of amikacin include:

• Nausea

• Vomiting

• Diarrhea

• Headache

• Fever

Some side effects can be serious. If these symptoms worsen or persist, inform your doctor right away. More serious side effects may occur, including:

• Rash

• Peeling or blistering skin

• Itching

• Swelling of the eyes, face, throat, tongue, or lips

• Difficulty breathing or swallowing

• Hoarseness

• Severe diarrhea, which may be accompanied by loose or bloody stools, fever, and abdominal pain. This may happen up to 2 months or more after treatment.

If you experience any of these, seek medical help immediately.

Types

Amikacin is available as an injection.

Dosage

For injection (slow intramuscular, intravenous, or infusion), the recommended dose is 15 mg/kg of body weight per day, divided into two doses. The treatment duration depends on the type of infection being treated.

Safety

• Amikacin can cause serious kidney issues. Kidney disorders are more common in older adults or people who are dehydrated. If you have a history of kidney disease, inform your doctor. If you experience symptoms such as decreased urination, swelling of the face, hands, ankles, or legs, or unusual fatigue or weakness, contact your doctor immediately.
• Amikacin can also lead to serious hearing loss, which may be permanent in some cases. This side effect is more common in elderly patients or individuals getting amikacin who are dehydrated. If you experience dizziness, vertigo, hearing loss, or ringing in the ears (tinnitus), inform your doctor right away.
• Additionally, amikacin can cause nerve issues. If you experience symptoms such as burning sensation, tingling, or numbness in your hands, arms, feet, or legs, muscle twitching or weakness, or seizures, contact your doctor.

Drug Interactions

• The risk of neurotoxic (nerve-related damage as drug side effects), ototoxic (ear-related damage as drug side effects), or nephrotoxic (kidney-related damage as drug side effects) effects is increased when amikacin is taken with other medications, such as amphotericin B, bacitracin, cisplatin, cyclosporine, cephaloridine, paromomycin, polymyxin B, colistin, tacrolimus, vancomycin, viomycin, IV mannitol, or other aminoglycoside antibiotics.

• There is an increased risk of ear disorders (ototoxicity) when amikacin is used with strong diuretics, such as ethacrynic acid or furosemide.

• Anesthetic drugs or neuromuscular blockers (like tubocurarine, succinylcholine, decamethonium, atracurium, rocuronium, vecuronium) and opioid painkillers may increase the risk of respiratory muscle paralysis when used with amikacin.

• The risk of kidney damage is higher if amikacin is taken with cephalosporins and may increase serum creatinine levels.

• Using amikacin with penicillins may reduce its antibacterial effect.

• Amikacin may increase the risk of low calcium levels when taken with bisphosphonates, and the use of platinum-based drugs can increase the risk of kidney and ear damage.

• In infants, using amikacin with indomethacin may increase the blood levels of amikacin.

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