What is Amikacin?
Amikacin acts as an antibiotic that combats bacteria.Amikacin can be used to treat serious or severe infections with a bacterial cause.Amikacin can also be used for reasons not mentioned in this guideline.
Side effects of Amikacin
See a doctor immediately. Get medical attention immediately if you notice symptoms or warning signs of an allergic response, like hives, trouble breathing, or swelling of your lips, face, and tongue.
Amikacin can cause severe adverse effects. Contact your physician immediately. If you suffer from:
- Hearing loss or a roaring noise in your ears.
- Persistent or severe dizziness;
- Kidney issues: no or little urination; hard or painful urine; swelling in your ankles and feet; being exhausted or short of breath;
- Breathing that is shallow or weak;
- Tingling sensations or numbness
- Muscle shaking or seizures (convulsions)
- Intense stomach discomfort, or diarrhoea that is bloody or watery.
This isn't an exhaustive list of possible side effects, and other side effects could occur. Consult your physician for advice regarding medical adverse effects. You can report any adverse reactions to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Warnings
Amikacin may affect your kidneys and can also lead to hearing loss or nerve damage, especially if you suffer from kidney disease or various other medicines.Inform your doctor of the medical conditions you suffer from as well as the medicines you take. If you require surgery, inform the surgeon prior to surgery that you're using amikacin.
Prior to use this drug
It is not recommended to use amikacin when you have an allergy to amikacin or similar antibiotics like gentamicin, paromomycin, neomycin, kanamycin, streptomycin, tobramycin, or paromomycin.
To ensure that amikacin is suitable for you, inform your doctor if:
- Kidney disease;
- Asthma or sulfite allergy;
- Myasthenia gravis;
- A nerve-muscle disorder;
- A nervous system disorder like parkinson's disease.
Do not take amikacin when you are expecting. It could harm the unborn baby. Make sure you use effective birth control to avoid pregnancy while you are undergoing treatment.It isn't known if amikacin can be absorbed into breast milk or if it is harmful to the nursing infant. Do not breastfeed when taking this medicine.
How to take Amikacin?
Follow the directions on the prescription label. Don't use this medication in greater or lesser quantities or for longer than prescribed. Amikacin is typically prescribed for 7–10 days.Amikacin is injectable into muscles, in a vein, or via an IV. You might be shown how to administer an IV at home. Don't inject yourself with this medication when you don't know how to administer the injection, and safely dispose of any needles that are no longer needed, including IV tubing, IV needles, and other equipment that is used to inject the medication.Avoid using amikacin in the event that it has changed colour or contains particles within it. Contact your pharmacist to inquire about the latest medications.Don't mix amikacin and other medications in a syringe or IV bag.
Utilise an empty needle and syringe just once. Make sure you follow any local or state laws regarding disposing of used needles and syringes. Make sure you use a puncture-proof "sharps" disposal container (ask your pharmacist for one and what to do with the container away). Keep the container away from pets and children.Drink plenty of fluids when you take amikacin. This will keep your kidneys functioning properly.When you are taking amikacin, it is possible that you might require regular urine tests. Hearing, kidney function, and nerve function might also require a check.Take this medication for the entire prescribed duration. Your symptoms may worsen even before you know if the illness has been cleared completely. The absence of doses can increase the chance of developing new infections that are resistant to antibiotics. Amikacin is not a treatment for a viral illness like influenza or the commonly occurring cold.If you are undergoing surgery, inform the surgeon beforehand that you're using amikacin.Place this medicine in a refrigerator at a temperature that is free of heat and moisture.
What happens if I miss the dose?
Consult your physician for instructions when you have missed the dose of amikacin.
What happens if I overdose?
Get medical attention in an emergency or contact the poison help line at 1-800-222-1222.
What should be avoided?
Diarrhoea can be caused by antibiotics and could be a sign of a new infection. If you are experiencing diarrhoea that is either watery or bloody, consult your doctor. Don't take anti-diarrhoea medication unless your doctor has told you to.
Interaction with other drugs
Amikacin may harm your kidneys. This can be exacerbated if you are also taking other medications, like chemotherapy, antivirals, injected antibiotics, medicines for bowel issues, medicines to avoid rejection of organ transplants, injection-able osteoporosis medications, as well as some arthritis or pain medications (including aspirin, Tylenol, Advil, and Aleve).
Discuss with your physician your current medications as well as any new medications you begin or stop using, particularly:
- A diuretic "water pill";
- Any other antibiotic.
This list is not comprehensive. Other medications may be incompatible with amikacin, such as prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. The interactions of all drugs are included in this guideline for medication.
