Amikacin sulfate
Trade Name:
Amikin
Type of Drug:
Amikacin sulfate is an antibiotic that belongs to a group of drugs called aminoglycosides.
How Drug Works:
Amikacin sulfate blocks protein synthesis in bacteria, resulting in death of the organism. Amikacin sulfate is effective against many gram-negative bacteria and some gram–positive bacteria.
How Drug Is Given:
Amikacin sulfate is given as a shot into the muscle (intramuscular) or an injection into a vein over 20 to 30 minutes, 2 to 3 times a day. The dose depends upon your size, and the number of days of treatment depend upon the type of infection.
Read the following information. If you do not understand it or if any of it causes you special concern, check with your doctor.
Before taking this drug, tell your doctor if you are taking any other prescription or over-the-counter drugs, including vitamins and herbals.

Should I avoid any other medicines, foods, alcohol, and/or activities?
Your prescription and nonprescription medicines may interact with other drugs, causing harm. Certain foods or alcohol can also interact with drug products. Never begin taking a new medicine—prescription or nonprescription—without asking your doctor or nurse if it will interact with alcohol, food, or other medicines. Some drug products can cause drowsiness and affect activities such as driving.
Precautions:
Tell your doctor if you have any drug allergies, especially to antibiotic drugs.
Amikacin sulfate can cause injury to the nerve for hearing (eighth cranial nerve, auditory). Tell your doctor or nurse right away if you feel dizzy, have difficulty walking, ringing in your ears (tinnitus), a roaring sound in your ears, or any decrease in hearing. The drug should be stopped and changed to another effective drug.
Amikacin sulfate can damage your kidneys. Your doctor will monitor blood tests to find this early, if it occurs. Tell your doctor if you have ever had any kidney problems.
All antibiotics can cause allergic reactions. Stop the drug and tell your doctor or nurse right away if you develop a rash, hives, red blotches on your skin, difficulty breathing, or chest pain.
Tell all the doctors, dentists, and pharmacists you visit that you are taking this drug.
  • Most of the following side effects probably will not occur.
  • Your doctor or nurse will want to discuss specific care instructions with you.
  • They can help you understand these side effects and help you deal with them.
Side Effects:
More Common Side Effects
  • Nausea
  • Headache
  • Feeling sleepy or drowsy
Less Common Side Effects
  • Dizziness
  • Ringing in ears (tinnitus)
  • Roaring sound in ears
  • Difficulty walking
  • Tremors
Rare Side Effects
  • Decreased hearing
  • Kidney damage
  • Numbness and tingling of hands and feet related to nerve irritation
  • Vomiting
  • Decreased white blood cell count with increased risk of infection
  • Decreased platelet count with increased risk of bleeding
  • Decreased red blood cell count with increased risk of tiredness (fatigue)
  • Diarrhea related to infection of the intestinal lining (pseudomembranous colitis)
Side Effects / Symptoms of the Drug

Stop the drug and call your doctor or nurse right away if you get diarrhea that does not stop, abdominal cramping, and blood and/or pus in the stool. This needs to be treated right away.

Stop the drug and call your doctor or nurse right away if you get ringing in your ears (tinnitus), a roaring sound in your ears, or hearing loss.

Other side effects not listed above can also occur in some patients. Tell your doctor or nurse if you develop any problems.
FDA Approval: Yes