Indication

Amikacin is indicated in the short-term treatment of serious infections due to susceptible strains of Gram-negative bacteria. Amikacin injection is effective in bacterial septicemia (including neonatal sepsis); in serious infections of the respiratory tract, bones and joints, central nervous system (including meningitis) and skin and soft tissue; intra-abdominal infections (including peritonitis); and in burns and post- operative infections (including post vascular surgery). Amikacin is also effective in serious complicated and recurrent urinary tract infections due to susceptible strains of Gram-negative organisms. Amikacin may be considered as initial therapy in suspected Gram-negative infections and therapy may be instituted before obtaining the results of susceptibility. Amikacin is also effective in infections caused by Gentamicin and/or Tobramycin-resistant strains of Gram-negative organisms. Amikacin has also been shown to be effective in Staphylococcal infections and may be considered as initial therapy under certain conditions in the treatment of known or suspected Staphylococcal diseases such as, severe infections where the causative organism may be either a Gram-negative bacterium or a Staphylococcus, infections due to susceptible strains of Staphylococci in patients allergic to other antibiotics, and in mixed Staphylococcal/Gramnegative infections. In certain severe infections, such as - neonatal sepsis, concomitant therapy with a Penicillin-type drug may be indicated because of the possibility of infections due to Gram-positive organisms, such as - Streptococci or Pneumococci.


Dosage & Administration

Adults and Children: 15 mg/kg/day in two equally divided doses (equivalent to 500 mg bid in adults). Use of the 100 mg/2 ml strength is recommended for children for the accurate measurement of the appropriate dose. Neonates and premature children: an initial loading dose of 10 mg/kg followed by 15 mg/kg/day in two equally divided doses. Elderly: Doses should be adjusted under impaired renal function in elderly. Life threatening infections and/or those caused by Pseudomonas: The adult dose may be increased to 500 mg every eight hours but should neither exceed 1.5 gm/day nor be administered for a period longer than 10 days. A maximum total adult dose of 15 gm should not be exceeded. Urinary tract infections: (Other than Pseudomonal infections): 7.5 mg/kg/day in two equally divided doses (equivalent to 250 mg bid in adults). Impaired renal functions: In patient with impaired renal function the daily dose should be reduced and/or the intervals between doses be increased to avoid accumulation of the drug. Simple doses schedule for renal impairment is given below: Mild impairment: 500 mg every 18 hours; Moderate impairment: 500 mg every 24 hours; Severe impairment: 250 mg every 24 hours. Intramuscular or intravenous administration: For most infections the intramuscular route is preferred, but in the life threatening infections or in patients in whom intramuscular injection route is not feasible, the intravenous route may be used.


Precautions

In high plasma concentrations of the drug, there is an increased risk of ototoxicity and kidney toxicity, because of which a monitoring of the peak plasma concentration is advised. Amikacin should be prescribed with increased caution in patients suffering from parkinsonism, diseases of the auditory nerve, myasthenia gravis, severe renal and hepatic insufficiency. In cases of  prolonged treatment, regular checks of the state of hearing and creatinine clearance are advised. The treatment should be discontinued in cases of loss of hearing of high frequency sounds. Use in Pregnancy: Pregnancy category D. The safety of Amikacin in pregnancy has not yet been established. Use in Lactation: It is not known whether Amikacin is excreted in breast milk. Since the possible harmful effect on the infant is not known, it is recommended that if nursing mothers must be given Amikacin, the infants should not be breast fed during therapy.


Product Details


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