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Amikacide®

Written by Regina Victoria Boyles, MD · Pediatrics


Updated Dec 18, 2022

Uses

Amikacide® (amikacin) is part of a class of antibiotics known as aminoglycosides. Aminoglycosides work by binding to the 30S ribosomal subunit in bacteria, disrupting essential protein transcription and synthesis which eventually leads to cell death.

Amikacide® is mainly indicated for:

  • Bacterial septicemia
  • Neonatal sepsis
  • Serious respiratory tract infections
  • Bone and joint infections
  • Peritonitis
  • Post-operation and burn infections
  • Complicated urinary tract infections (UTI)

The antimicrobial spectrum of activity of Amikacide® includes:

Gram-positive bacteria

  • Staphylococcus aureus
  • S. epidermidis

Aerobic Gram-negative

  • Pseudomonas aeruginosa
  • Escherichia coli
  • Morganella morganii
  • Klebsiella pneumoniae
  • Proteus mirabilis
  • vulgaris
  • Providentia stuartii
  • Salmonella spp.
  • Serratia spp.
  • Citrobacter spp.
  • Enterobacter spp.

How should I take Amikacide®?

Amikacide® is available as a parenteral solution for injection. It should be administered by a licensed health professional.

How do I store Amikacide®?

This drug should be stored at room temperature (<30°C). For safety, keep out of the reach of children and pets.

Always check the label before using this product. Do not use if the printed expiration date has passed, the product seal has been broken, or the product has changed in color, odor, or consistency.

Do not dispose of this product by pouring it down the drain, toilet, or into the environment. Ask your pharmacist regarding the proper way and location of disposal.

Precautions & Warnings

Before using this medication, inform your doctor if:

  • You have ever had an allergic reaction to Amikacide® or other aminoglycosides.
  • You have a history of allergy to other medications, food, or other substances.
  • You are taking other medications.
  • You have underlying health conditions.

Is it safe during pregnancy or breastfeeding?

This drug is a pregnancy category D drug. Aminoglycosides have the potential to cause fetal harm. This drug should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit greatly outweighs the potential risk to the fetus, as determined by your doctor.

It is not known if Amikacide® is excreted in breast milk. This drug should be used while breastfeeding only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the child, as determined by your doctor.

Side Effects

All drugs have the potential to elicit side effects even with normal use. Many side effects are dose-related and will resolve when it is adjusted or at the end of therapy.

Potential side effects while using Amikacide® include:

  • Tinnitus
  • Hearing impairment or loss
  • Renal toxicity
  • Neuromuscular blockade
  • Apnea

Rare adverse reactions:

  • Skin rash and allergy
  • Drug fever
  • Headache
  • Tremor
  • Nausea, vomiting
  • Joint pain
  • Hypotension
  • Anemia
  • Hypomagnesemia

You may experience some, none, or other side effects not mentioned above. If you experience serious adverse reactions, you must stop taking the drug immediately. If you have any concerns about a side effect or it becomes bothersome, consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Interactions

Amikacide® may interact with other medications. To avoid any potential drug interactions, you should keep a list of all the drugs you are using (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products) and share it with your doctor and pharmacist.

Known drugs that interact with Amikacide® include:

  • Other aminoglycosides
  • Acyclovir
  • Amphotericin B
  • Colistin
  • Cephalosporins
  • Cisplatin
  • Methoxyflurane
  • Polymyxin B
  • General anesthetics & neuromuscular blocking agents
  • Neomycin
  • Anti-infective agents

If you experience an adverse drug interaction, stop taking this drug and continue taking your other medication. Inform your doctor immediately to reevaluate your treatment plan. Your dose may need to be adjusted, substituted with another drug, or discontinue using the drug.

Does food or alcohol interact with Amikacide®?

There are not notable food or alcohol interactions with Amikacide®.

Inform your doctor or pharmacist if you have any concerns regarding food-drug interactions.

What health conditions may interact with Amikacide®?

Amikacide® should be taken with caution if you have any of the following conditions or risk factors:

  • Known hypersensitivity to amikacin or other components of this product.
  • Known hypersensitivity or adverse drug reactions to other aminoglycosides.
  • Pregnant or breastfeeding
  • Elderly

Inform your doctor or pharmacist if you have any concerns regarding specific health conditions.

Dosage

The information provided is not a substitute for any medical advice. You should ALWAYS consult your doctor or pharmacist before using Amikacide®.

What is the dose of Amikacide® for an adult?

Obtain the patient’s pretreatment body weight for calculation of correct dosage. Amikacin may be given intravenously (IV) or intramuscularly (IM). Because of the potential toxicity of aminoglycosides, fixed-dosage recommendations that are not based on body weight are not advised.

For patients with normal renal function

  • The recommended dose is 15 mg/kg body weight/day given as a single dose or divided into 2 to 3 equal doses administered at equally divided intervals.
  • Treatment of patients in the heavier weight classes should not exceed 1.5 g/day.
  • A single dose of 500 mg daily or 250 mg twice daily may be given for uncomplicated urinary tract infection.
  • Administer 1 g every 12 hours
  • Maximum dose: 12 g per day

For patients with renal impairment

Dose adjustment based on creatinine clearance (CrCl):

  • >50 to 90 mL/min: administer 60 to 90% of the normal dose every 12 hours.
  • 10 to 50 mL/min: administer 30 to 70% of the normal dose every 12 to 18 hours.
  • <10 mL/min: administer 20 to 30% every 24 to 48 hours.

The usual duration of treatment is 7-10 days. In difficult and complicated infections where treatment beyond 10 days is considered, the use of amikacin should be re-evaluated.

If a definite clinical response does not occur within 3 to 5 days, stop the therapy and recheck the antibiotic susceptibility pattern.

What is the dose of Amikacide® for a child?

For children and older infants (>2 months old)

  • Calculate the dose using the child’s body weight, same as the adult dose.

For neonates (<2 months old)

  • Amikacin should be used with caution in premature and full-term neonates because of the possible prolongation of serum half-life due to renal immaturity.
  • A loading dose of 10 mg/kg body weight is recommended followed by 7.5 mg/kg every 12 hours.
  • In newborns 0 to 7 days old whose body weight is less than 2 kg, a dose of 7.5 mg/kg every 18-24 hours is recommended.

The usual duration of treatment is 7-10 days. In difficult and complicated infections where treatment beyond 10 days is considered, the use of amikacin should be re-evaluated.

If a definite clinical response does not occur within 3 to 5 days, stop the therapy and recheck the antibiotic susceptibility pattern.

How is Amikacide® available?

This drug is available in the following dosage forms and strengths:

  • Solution for injection 50 mg/mL, 125 mg/mL, 250 mg/mL per 2 mL ampule

What should I do in case of an emergency or overdose?

In case of an emergency or an overdose, call your local emergency services or go to your nearest emergency room.

What should I do if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose of this drug, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your regular dose as scheduled. Do not take a double dose. Avoid missing doses to prevent antibiotic resistance and treatment failure.

Disclaimer

Hello Health Group does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.

Written by

Regina Victoria Boyles, MD

Pediatrics


Updated Dec 18, 2022

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