Yashoda Hospitals > Medicine FAQS > Amikacin

Amikacin: Frequently Asked Questions Answered

What is Amikacin?

Amikacin is an antibiotic mainly used to fight bacterial infection of the skin, lungs, stomach, lymphatic system, brain, urinary tract, and musculoskeletal region. It is an aminoglycoside antibiotic, an anti-bacterial that targets gram-negative bacteria and inhibits them from producing their protein. The resistance to protein synthesis helps stop bacterial growth in patients.

Amikacin is an intravenous and intramuscular drug given in the injection form. Your physician will determine the dosage and frequency of the medicine according to the severity of the infection. Further, the common side effects of this drug are skin rashes, headaches, fatigue, and injection site pain.

What Are the Uses of Amikacin?

Amikacin is an intravenous antibiotic that contains aminoglycoside. It is mainly used to stop or kill the growth of multi-drug resistant bacteria and gram-negative bacteria, such as Pseudomonas species and Escherichia coli. The drug is commonly administered in lung infections, bloodstream infections, or brain and spinal cord sepsis and infections. Amikacin also aids in treating severe tuberculosis if the first-line treatment fails. Amikacin is also used in the treatment and prevention of urinary tract infections.

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    What Are the Side Effects of Amikacin?

    Like other common antibiotics, Amikacin causes mild to severe side effects. Some of them are as follows.

    • Gastrointestinal side effects: Vomiting, diarrhea, black stools, and decreased frequency of urination.
    • Skin-related side effects: Skin rashes, hives, inflammation, and redness.
    • Visual side effects: Swelling of the eyelids, dilated pupils, and visual trouble.
    • Musculoskeletal side effects: Fatigue, dizziness, syncope, and pain in the joints. 

    Apart from these, Amikacin also causes disturbances in kidney function, low blood pressure, muscular paralysis, and loss of hearing. A medical expert must administer this drug to you for complete efficacy and safety. The drug cannot be self-injected.

    What is Amikacin

    Uses of Amikacin

    Side effects of Amikacin

    References

    1. Amikacin – Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Price, Composition
    2. Amikacin Sulphate 500mg Injection: View Uses, Side Effects, Price and Substitutes | 1mg
    3. Amikacin Injection
    4. Amikacin Sulfate: Antibiotic Uses, Side Effects & Dosage

    Disclaimer: The information provided herein is accurate, updated and complete as per the best practices of the Company. Please note that this information should not be treated as a replacement for physical medical consultation or advice. We do not guarantee the accuracy and the completeness of the information so provided. The absence of any information and/or warning to any drug shall not be considered and assumed as an implied assurance of the Company. We do not take any responsibility for the consequences arising out of the aforementioned information and strongly recommend you for a physical consultation in case of any queries or doubts.

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    Frequently Asked Questions about Amikacin

    Amikacin is a strong antibiotic that helps treat severe bacterial growths that cause infection in the blood, brain, lungs, skin, abdomen, and bones. Since bacterial growth is remarkably rapid in the body, drugs such as Amikacin have to act fast. It is to be used with precaution and as advised by the doctor.

    Amikacin is an antibiotic drug that contains aminoglycoside sulfate, also called an aminoglycoside. It helps in stopping the growth of harmful bacteria in the body. The other trade names of Amikacin are amikin, amiglyde-V, and arikayce.

    Amikacin is an antibiotic administered either intravenously or via the intramuscular route. Intravenous drug injections are given into the vein using an IV drip line with a steady infusion flow. It means it is slowly injected over 30 to 60 mins. Intramuscular injections are given directly into the muscles and are administered every 8 to 12 hours or as advised by the consulting physician.

    Amikacin is an antibiotic not given orally due to its poor absorption in the body. Since it does not get absorbed completely, it fails to function at its peak, showing poor efficacy. It is best administered either through the intravenous or intramuscular routes, which help the faster absorption of the drug.

    Amikacin is not an antifungal. Antifungals kill and stop the growth of different fungi in the body, such as aspergillus and mucor. Amikacin is an antibiotic that kills or stops the growth of common yet serious disease-causing bacteria, such as the Pseudomonas species and Escherichia coli. It prevents bacterial growth that infects the brain, blood, stomach, lungs, and muscles.

    Amikacin is a potent antibiotic composed of aminoglycoside. The drug works by inhibiting the proteins produced by the bacteria flourishing in the body. Aminoglycoside binds with the component of the bacteria that produces this protein, inhibiting their synthesis and killing the cell wall. It helps stop bacterial growth.

    According to the latest study, Amikacin given once daily has higher efficacy in the first eight hours post-administration of the drug compared to the other antibiotics. Once-a-day doses show a higher efficacy compared to multi-dose administration. They also reduce clinical toxicities.

    Amikacin is a reasonably inexpensive drug that costs INR 11.87 for a 500 mg injection provided in a 2 ml vial. Various brands are available, manufactured by different companies that range from INR 13 to INR 116. A consulting physician's advice is essential to understand which generic brand is the best for you.

    Amikacin is an effective aminoglycoside against Gram-negative and multidrug-resistant bacteria. The drug also helps fight the Extended Spectrum Beta-Lactamase bacteria (ESBL) that causes urinary tract infections in most women. A urine culture helps understand the type of bacterial growth, determining the dosage of Amikacin.

    Amikacin is not available in tablet form due to its poor absorption in the body. Because of its malabsorption, its mechanism of action is not rapid, and hence, it has reduced efficacy. Amikacin is commonly available as an Amikacin sulfate infusion set best administered intravenously or via the intramuscular route.

    To learn more about the uses, side effects, and treatment options using Amikacin, get in touch with our medical experts at Yashoda Hospitals.
    S.no Product Name Dosage Form
    1. Mikacin Amikacin 250mg Injection
    2. Omnikacin-500 Amikacin 500mg Injection
    3. Amikamac-500 Amikacin 500mg Injection
    4. Mikastar-500 Amikacin 500mg Injection
    5. Alinfec-500 Amikacin 500mg Injection