✕
Free ₹200 worth HealthCash on app
Use HealthCash to order medicines, health products & much more
Amikacin
Confused about any medicine? Just ask Practo AIFREE
50000+ health queries resolved in last month
Chat with Practo AI on Whatsapp
Not finding what you need? Ask Practo AI
FREE
Chat with Practo AI on Whatsapp
Description
Amikacin is an aminoglycoside antibiotic that fights against bacteria. It is used to treat a variety of bacterial infections of the lungs, skin, abdomen, blood, brain, urinary tract, bones and joints. Amikacin eye drops are used to treat bacterial eye infections. This medicine kills or stops the growth of bacteria causing the infection. It is not effective against infections caused by viruses.
Common side effects of Amikacin are pain at the injection site, skin rash, headache, weakness, and dizziness. Do not use this medicine if you are previously allergic to it. High doses of this medicine may cause damage to your hearing, sense of balance, and kidneys. Perform your kidney function and hearing tests during treatment.
Once an antibiotic is started, it is always recommended to finish the entire course of treatment. Amikacin should only be used to treat or prevent infections that are caused by bacteria. Using an antibiotic when it is not required can make it less effective for future infections.
QUICK LINKS:
Side effects
Major & minor side effects for Amikacin
Black or tarry stools
Blurred vision
Decrease in frequency of urination
Dizziness
Hearing loss
Muscle pain
Unusual tiredness and weakness
Skin rash
Vomiting
Swelling of eyelids
Eye pain
Visual disturbances
Pain at the injection site
Dilated pupils
Breathing difficulty
Uses of Amikacin
What is it prescribed for?
Intra-abdominal Infections
Intra-abdominal infection (IAI) describes a number of infections. It includes peritonitis (swelling of the peritoneum-lining of the abdominal wall), pancreatitis (swelling of the pancreas- an organ located behind the lower part of the stomach), diverticulitis (swelling of diverticula- one or more small pouches in the intestine), cholecystitis (swelling of the gallbladder-a small digestive organ that sits just under the liver), and cholangitis (swelling of the bile duct system). Amikacin is used to treat infections occurring within the abdomen caused by bacteria.
Pneumonia
Pneumonia is an infection of the air sacs in the lungs (either single or both lungs). It can be bacterial and viral. Amikacin is used to treat pneumonia caused by bacteria.
Bacteremia
Bacteremia is the presence of bacteria in the blood. Bacteria can sometimes enter your bloodstream from dental or medical procedures, or from infections. If this condition left untreated it can lead to septicemia which is an infection of the blood caused by bacteria. Amikacin is used for the treatment of bacteremia.
Bone and Joint infections
Bone and joint infections occur in the bones and joints. Osteomyelitis is an infection of the bone and septic arthritis is an infection in a joint. These infections can occur due to a bone/joint injury or through blood by which bacteria, virus, or fungi invade a bone/joint. Amikacin is used for the treatment of osteomyelitis and septic arthritis caused by bacteria.
Bacterial Conjunctivitis
Bacterial conjunctivitis or pink eye is a bacterial eye infection affecting the conjunctiva (a clear tissue covering the white part of your eye and lines the inside of the eyelid). This infection can easily spread by direct or indirect contact with an infected person. Amikacin eye drops are used for the treatment of bacterial conjunctivitis.
Bacterial Keratitis
At the front of the eye is a transparent layer of tissue called the cornea that allows light to enter the eye. Keratitis is the swelling of the cornea that occurs from an eye injury or infection caused by bacteria, viruses, or fungi. More often it occurs in contact lens wearers. A small scratch, scrape or cut on the cornea caused by wearing contact lenses too long can also cause this infection. Amikacin eye drops are used for the treatment of keratitis caused by bacteria.
Blepharoconjunctivitis
Blepharoconjunctivitis is the swelling of eyelids and conjunctiva (a clear tissue covering the white part of your eye and lines the inside of the eyelid). This infection occurs when you have too much bacteria on your eyelids at the base of your eyelashes. They can easily spread by direct or indirect contact with an infected person. Amikacin eye drops are used for the treatment of blepharoconjunctivitis caused by bacteria.
Strabismus Surgery
Strabismus or squint surgery is a very common eye operation. It is a process of sewing the eye muscle to the wall of the eye. Amikacin eye drops are used after strabismus/squint surgery to prevent bacterial infection of the eyes.
Urinary tract infections
An infection in any part of your urinary system- the kidneys, bladder, ureters, or urethra is called urinary tract infections (UTIs). UTIs are the most common infections in humans and woman are at greater risk of getting this infection. UTI's can occur as complicated or uncomplicated urinary tract infections.
Complicated UTI's are caused by multidrug-resistant bacteria (the bacteria may become non-responsive to more than one antibiotic) and can occur due to structural and functional abnormalities of the urinary tract. Uncomplicated urinary tract infection is an infection of the urinary tract in a healthy individual with normal and functional urinary tract and no known reasons to develop a UTI. Amikacin is used to treat complicated and uncomplicated urinary tract infections caused by bacteria.
Bacterial Meningitis
Bacterial meningitis is an infection of meninges, the protective layer that surrounds the brain and spinal cord. It starts when bacteria get into your bloodstream and travel to your brain and spinal cord. Amikacin is used to treat bacterial meningitis.
Skin and soft tissue infections
Skin and soft tissue infections occur when the bacteria invade the skin and its supporting structures. Amikacin is used to treat all skin infections including abscess caused by bacteria.
Concerns
Commonly asked questions
Onset of action
The effect of amikacin starts immediately after the administration. You will start to feel better in 3 to 5 days after receiving this medicineDuration of effect
The effect of amikacin lasts for an average duration of 8 to 12 hours.Safe with alcohol?
Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.Is it habit forming?
No habit-forming tendency has been reported for Amikacin.Usage in pregnancy?
Amikacin should not be used during pregnancy unless there are no safer options. Use of amikacin in pregnant women caused some babies to have birth defects. However, in some serious conditions, your doctor may recommend this medicine if the benefit is greater than the risk of harm to the baby.Usage while breast-feeding?
It is best to be cautious before using Amikacin while breastfeeding because it is not known whether this medicine crosses into human milk. Hence it should only be used if the benefit is greater than the risk of harm to the baby. If used, the baby should be observed for symptoms such as diarrhoea and yeast infection.
Allergy
Avoid using Amikacin if you are previously allergic to it. Some patients may get allergic reactions to this medicine. Seek immediate medical attention if you notice any symptoms of allergic reactions such as skin rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, breathing difficulties, etc.
Myasthenia gravis
Myasthenia gravis is a skeletal muscle weakness condition characterized by severe weakness of any of the muscles under your voluntary control, including the arms and legs. Amikacin should be avoided in patients with myasthenia gravis since it may get worsen.
Warnings for special population
Pregnancy
Amikacin should not be used during pregnancy unless there are no safer options. Use of amikacin in pregnant women caused some babies to have birth defects. However, in some serious conditions, your doctor may recommend this medicine if the benefit is greater than the risk of harm to the baby.
Breast-feeding
It is best to be cautious before using Amikacin while breastfeeding because it is not known whether this medicine crosses into human milk. Hence it should only be used if the benefit is greater than the risk of harm to the baby. If used, the baby should be observed for symptoms such as diarrhoea and yeast infection.
General warnings
Antibiotic resistance
The entire course of treatment with Amikacin should be completed, even if the condition gets better to avoid antibiotic resistance.
Contact lens
Do not wear contact lenses when you are using amikacin eye drops for treating an eye infection.
Hearing loss and kidney damage
High doses of Amikacin may cause damage to your hearing, sense of balance, and kidneys. Perform your kidney function and hearing tests during treatment.
Missed Dose
Injection: Since amikacin injection is administered in the hospital or clinical setting by a qualified healthcare professional, the likelihood of a missed dose is very low.
Eye drops: Try not to skip a dose of amikacin eye drops. And if a dose is skipped, do not add it up to the next dose.
Overdose
Injection: Since amikacin injection is administered in the hospital or clinical setting by a qualified healthcare professional, the likelihood of an overdose is very low. However, emergency medical treatment will be initiated by the doctor if an overdose is suspected.
Eye drops: Seek emergency medical attention in case of an overdose with amikacin eye drops.
All drugs interact differently for person to person. You should check all the possible interactions with your doctor before starting any medicine.
Interaction with Alcohol
Description
Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
Instructions
Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
Interaction with Medicine
Ethinyl Estradiol
Furosemide
Aspirin
Adefovir
Ceftriaxone
Vancomycin
Disease interactions
Impaired kidney function
Patients with kidney diseases need special consideration while using Amikacin due to the risk of kidney damage. Dose adjustment should be done based on the clinical condition.
Food interactions
Information not available.
Lab interactions
Information not available.
What is amikacin used to treat? Well, amikacin classification is aminoglycosides and used to treat bacterial infections affecting the lungs, skin, abdomen, blood, brain, urinary tract, eyes, bones and joints. It is available as an injection and eye drops.
Injection: Amikacin injectables should be administered by a qualified healthcare professional in the clinical or hospital setting. Report any undesirable side effects to the doctor promptly. Amikacin injection is available as strength of amikacin 100mg, amikacin 250 mg and amikacin 500 mg. Amikacin dosage will be determined by your doctor.
Eyedrops: Use as directed by the doctor.
Miscelleneous
How it works
Amikacin works by preventing the formation of bacterial cell walls. This helps in stopping the growth and multiplication of the microorganism, eventually killing it.
Legal Status
Classification
Category
Aminoglycosides, Antibiotics
Schedule
Schedule H
Dailymed.nlm.nih.gov. 2021. Dailymed - AMIKACIN SULFATE Injection. [online] Available at: < [Accessed 7 January 2021].
Drugs, H., 2021. Amikacin Injection: Medlineplus Drug Information. [online] Medlineplus.gov. Available at: < [Accessed 7 January 2021].
Jawapharma.com. 2021. Jawa Pharmaceuticals (INDIA) Pvt. Ltd.- Manufacturer And Supplier Of Eye Drops, Eye Lubricant, Ear Drops, Eye Ointment, Ear Ointment Jaipur,Noida,Rajasthan,India, Antibacterial Eye Drops, Antibacterial Eye Ointment, Antibacterial And Steroid Drops, Antibacterial And Steroid Ointment, Antibacterial And NSAID Drops, NSAID Drops, Antiallergic Eye Drops, Anti Catract Eye Drops, Antibacterial Eye Drop, Corneal Conjuctivial OEDEMA, Mydriatic & Cycloplegic Drops, Antifungal, Anti Glaucoma, Antiviral Ointment, Eye Lubricant, Eye Drops, Ear Drops, Eye Ointment, Ear Ointment Jaipur,Noida,Rajasthan,India, Eye Drops Manufacturer, Ear Drops Manufacturer, Eye Drops Suppliers, Ear Drops Suppliers, Eye Ointment Manufacturer, Ear Ointment Manufacturer, Eye Ointment Suppliers, Ear Ointment Suppliers, Manufacturer Of Eye Drops, Supplier Of Eye Drops, Manufacturer Of Ear Drops, Supplier Of Ear Drops, Manufacturer Of Eye Ointment, Supplier Of Eye Ointment, Manufacturer Of Ear Ointment, Suppliers Of Ear Ointment, Eye Drops Manufacturer Jaipur.Html,Noida,Rajasthan,India, Ear Drops Manufacturer Jaipur,Noida,Rajasthan,India , Ear Ointment Manufacturer Jaipur,Noida,Rajasthan,India, Eye Ointment Manufacturer Jaipur,Noida,Rajasthan,India , Eye Drops Supplier Jaipur,Noida,Rajasthan,India, Ear Drops Supplier Jaipur,Noida,Rajasthan,India. [online] Available at: < [Accessed 7 January 2021].
Medicines.org.uk. 2021. Amikacin 250 Mg/Ml Injection - Summary Of Product Characteristics (Smpc) - (Emc). [online] Available at: < [Accessed 7 January 2021].
Go.drugbank.com. 2021. Amikacin | Drugbank Online. [online] Available at: < [Accessed 7 January 2021].
Glowm.com. 2021. Amikacin Sulfate. [online] Available at: < [Accessed 7 January 2021].
Information on this page was last updated on 9 Feb 2021
Disclaimer
We’ve made all possible efforts to ensure that the information provided here is accurate, up-to-date and complete, however, it should not be treated as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Practo only provides reference source for common information on medicines and does not guarantee its accuracy or exhaustiveness. The absence of a warning for any drug or combination thereof, should not be assumed to indicate that the drug or combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for any given patient. Practo does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information provided above. If you have any doubts about your medication then we strongly recommend that you consult with your doctor, nurse or healthcare provider. See detailed T&C here.