Amikacin Sulfate

What it is used for

• Empiric therapy
• Susceptible infections
• Sepsis
• Susceptible infections
• Susceptible infections
• Susceptible infections
• Susceptible infections
• Susceptible infections
• Susceptible infections (Neonatal foals)
• Susceptible infections (Neonatal foals)
• Susceptible infections (Adults)
• Susceptible infections (Foals <30 days old)
• Septic joints
• Uterine infusion

How it is given

Possible side effects

• Nephrotoxicity (tubular necrosis)
• Ototoxicity (auditory and vestibular)
• Neuromuscular blockade
• Facial edema
• Injection site pain/inflammation
• Peripheral neuropathy
• Hypersensitivity reactions

Cautions & contraindications

• Hypersensitivity to aminoglycosides
• Generally contraindicated in rabbits/hares (adversely affects GI flora balance)
• Use with extreme caution in patients with preexisting **renal disease**; requires concomitant monitoring and dosage interval adjustments. Other risk factors for toxicity include age (neonatal and geriatric), fever, sepsis, and dehydration. - **Ototoxicity:** Can cause irreversible ototoxicity; use with caution in 'working' dogs (e.g., seeing-eye, herding, hearing-impaired assistance dogs). - **Neuromuscular Disorders:** Use with caution in patients with conditions like myasthenia gravis due to neuromuscular blocking activity. - **Breed Considerations:** Sighthound dogs (e.g., Greyhounds) have significantly smaller volumes of distribution and may require reduced dosages. - **Food Animals:** Use in food-producing animals is controversial as drug residues may persist for long periods, particularly in renal tissue.

Drug interactions

• Beta-lactam antibiotics (penicillins, cephalosporins): May have synergistic effects against some bacteria; potential for physical inactivation of aminoglycosides in vitro (do not mix together) and in vivo (patients in renal failure).
• Cephalosporins: Potentially could cause additive nephrotoxicity (controversial, well documented only with older agents like cephaloridine and cephalothin).
• Loop or Osmotic Diuretics (e.g., furosemide, torsemide, mannitol): Concurrent use may increase the nephrotoxic or ototoxic potential of the aminoglycosides.
• NSAIDs: May cause nephrotoxic effects; concurrent use with aminoglycosides should generally be avoided.
• Other Nephrotoxic Drugs (e.g., cisplatin, amphotericin B, polymyxin B, vancomycin): Potential for increased risk for nephrotoxicity.
• Neuromuscular blocking agents & General anesthetics: Concomitant use could potentiate neuromuscular blockade.

Frequently asked questions