General Information
Uses
What should I know before taking this drug
Precautions
Dosage information
Adverse reactions
Storage
Amicip inj (cipla)
Amicin inj (Biochem)
Amikacin is a prescription drug available from your pharmacy store only with the prescription of a qualified medical practitioner.
Amikacin is pronounced as: am-i-KAY-sin
Amikacin is an anti infective / antibacterial drug belonging to amino glycoside group of antibiotics.
Amikacin is used in the treatment of serious bacterial infections such as
- Respiratory tract infections
Amikacin must be given by injection since it is poorly absorbed if given by mouth.
Amikacin injection can be administered intramuscularly or intravenously under strict aseptic precautions by exactly as directed by your doctor.
Amikacin should be inspected visually for particulate matter prior to administration. Preparations of amikacin containing visibly opaque particles should NOT be used.
Amikacin should be taken regularly as prescribed by your doctor to attain maximum benefit.
Do not skip any doses. Continue to take it even when you feel better. You must complete the entire course of medication to get maximum benefit; else the infection will not clear completely and in due course result in development of resistance.
- Always remember to inform your health expert if you are currently taking any prescription like Amphotercin B( antifungal) other nephrotoxic drugs(cisplatin) ;NSAIDS( Ibuprofen), cephalosporin’s(cephaloridin)or OTC
- inform your doctor if you have following medical conditions as Amikacin should be used cautiously in the below mentioned conditions
- Kidney disease
- Hearing impairment
- Parkinson disease
- Myasthenia gravis
- Inform your surgeon or dentist if your undergoing any planned procedure when on amikacin medication as it increases the side effects of the anaesthetic drugs.
Pregnant woman: amikacin belongs to FDA pregnancy category D. This means that amikacin can harm an unborn baby and cause birth defects if used during pregnancy. Do not use amikacin with out your doctor consent however its use is justified if the benefits to the mother outweigh the risks. Always inform your doctor if you are pregnant or are planning for conception.
Lactating women: amikacin passes into breast milk and harm nursing baby. Do not use amikacin with out the consent from your doctor if you are breastfeeding your child.
Other:
Amikacin is available as injection and eye drops. Your doctor will prescribe them depending on the severity of the disease
Use as directed by your physician, your physician prescribes depending on the severity of disease.
Use the complete course of medication as prescribed by your physician even though you feel better after one or two days of usage of medication.
For detailed dosage information, consult your doctor who will prescribe you depending on the severity of the disease.
If it is almost the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not take two doses at same time to cover up the missed dose.
In case of overdose contact your nearest poison control centre or emergency medical centre for immediate care by physician. The overdose symptoms of Amikacin are
- Tingling and numbness in the extremities
- Decrease in amount of urine passed
Amikacin may causes following side effects like
Consult your doctor immediately if notice following symptoms.
- Allergic reaction like swollen lips, hives, difficulty in breathing,rashesetc
- Decrease in the amount of urine passed
- Ringing sensation in the ears(tinnitus)
Store at room temp (15 – 30 degrees C). Avoid excessive heat, moisture or direct sunlight, never store in the bathroom.
Keep it out of reach of children. Make sure that any leftover portion is disposed off safely.
Amikacin medication should be used cautiously in elderly individual as their renal function decreases with advancing age.
Inform your surgeon or dentist if your undergoing any planned procedure when on amikacin medication as it increases the side effects of the anaesthetic drugs.
It is imp to read manufacturing packaging instruction carefully if available and always do not hesitate to consult pharmacist or physician for any information.
Written by: Healthplus24 team
Date last modified: July 14, 2011