Amikacin Sulfate

Amikacin Sulfate

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Questions & Answers

Side Effects & Adverse Reactions

See WARNINGS box above.

Aminoglycosides can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman. Aminoglycosides cross the placenta and there have been several reports of total irreversible, bilateral congenital deafness in children whose mothers received streptomycin during pregnancy. Although serious side effects to the fetus or newborns have not been reported in the treatment of pregnant women with other aminoglycosides, the potential for harm exists. Reproduction studies of amikacin have been performed in rats and mice and revealed no evidence of impaired fertility or harm to the fetus due to amikacin. There are no well-controlled studies in pregnant women, but investigational experience does not include any positive evidence of adverse effects to the fetus. If this drug is used during pregnancy, or if the patient becomes pregnant while taking this drug, the patient should be apprised of the potential hazard to the fetus.

Contains sodium metabisulfite, a sulfite that may cause allergic-type reactions including anaphylactic symptoms and life-threatening or less severe asthmatic episodes in certain susceptible people. The overall prevalence of sulfite sensitivity in the general population is unknown and probably low. Sulfite sensitivity is seen more frequently in asthmatic than non-asthmatic people.

Clostridium difficile associated diarrhea (CDAD) has been reported with use of nearly all antibacterial agents, including amikacin, and may range in severity from mild diarrhea to fatal colitis. Treatment with antibacterial agents alters the normal flora of the colon leading to overgrowth of C. difficile.

C. difficile produces toxins A and B which contribute to the development of CDAD. Hypertoxin-producing strains of C. difficile cause increased morbidity and mortality, as these infections can be refractory to antimicrobial therapy and may require colectomy. CDAD must be considered in all patients who present with diarrhea following antibacterial use. Careful medical history is necessary since CDAD has been reported to occur over 2 months after the administration of antibacterial agents.

If CDAD is suspected or confirmed, ongoing antibiotic use not directed against C. difficile may need to be discontinued. Appropriate fluid and electrolyte management, protein supplementation, antibiotic treatment of C. difficile, and surgical evaluation should be instituted as clinically indicated.

Legal Issues

There is currently no legal information available for this drug.

FDA Safety Alerts

There are currently no FDA safety alerts available for this drug.

Manufacturer Warnings

There is currently no manufacturer warning information available for this drug.

FDA Labeling Changes

There are currently no FDA labeling changes available for this drug.

Uses

Amikacin sulfate injection USP is indicated in the short-term treatment of serious infections due to susceptible strains of Gram-negative bacteria, including Pseudomonas species, Escherichia coli, species of indole-positive and indole-negative Proteus, Providencia species, Klebsiella-Enterobacter-Serratia species and Acinetobacter (Mima-Herellea) species.

Clinical studies have shown amikacin sulfate injection USP to be 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 postoperative infections (including post-vascular surgery). Clinical studies have shown amikacin also to be effective in serious complicated and recurrent urinary tract infections due to these organisms. Aminoglycosides, including amikacin sulfate injection USP, are not indicated in uncomplicated initial episodes of urinary tract infections unless the causative organisms are not susceptible to antibiotics having less potential toxicity.

Bacteriologic studies should be performed to identify causative organisms and their susceptibilities to amikacin. Amikacin may be considered as initial therapy in suspected gram-negative infections, and therapy may be instituted before obtaining the results of susceptibility testing. Clinical trials demonstrated that amikacin was effective in infections caused by gentamicin- and/or tobramycin-resistant strains of gram-negative organisms, particularly Proteus rettgeri, Providencia stuartii, Serratia marcescens and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The decision to continue therapy with the drug should be based on results of the susceptibility tests, the severity of the infection, the response of the patient and the important additional considerations contained in the WARNINGS box above.

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 disease 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/gram-negative 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.

To reduce the development of drug-resistant bacteria and maintain the effectiveness of amikacin sulfate injection USP and other antibacterial drugs, amikacin sulfate injection USP should be used only to treat or prevent infections that are proven or strongly suspected to be caused by susceptible bacteria. When culture and susceptibility information are available, they should be considered in selecting or modifying antibacterial therapy. In the absence of such data, local epidemiology and susceptibility patterns may contribute to the empiric selection of therapy.

History

There is currently no drug history available for this drug.

Other Information

Amikacin Sulfate Injection USP is a semi-synthetic aminoglycoside antibiotic derived from kanamycin. D-Streptamine,O-3-amino-3-deoxy-α-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→6)-O-[6-amino-6-deoxy-α-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→4)]-N1-(4-amino-2-hydroxy-1-oxobutyl)-2-deoxy-, (S)-, sulfate (1:2) (salt).

Chemical Structure

C22H43N5O13 • 2H2SO4 M.W. 781.75


The dosage form is supplied as a sterile, colorless to light straw-colored solution for intramuscular or intravenous use. The 500 mg per 2 mL vial and the 1 gram per 4 mL vial each contain, per mL, 250 mg amikacin USP (as the sulfate), 2.5% sodium citrate dihydrate, 0.66% sodium metabisulfite, and water for injection, q.s. pH is adjusted with sulfuric acid and/or, if necessary, sodium hydroxide. The pH is 3.5 to 5.5.

Amikacin Sulfate Manufacturers


  • Teva Parenteral Medicines, Inc.
    Amikacin Sulfate Injection [Teva Parenteral Medicines, Inc.]
  • American Pharmaceutical Ingredients Llc
    Amikacin Sulfate Powder [American Pharmaceutical Ingredients Llc]
  • Heritage Pharmaceuticals Inc.
    Amikacin Sulfate Injection, Solution [Heritage Pharmaceuticals Inc.]
  • Bedford Laboratories
    Amikacin Sulfate Injection, Solution [Bedford Laboratories]
  • Teva Parenteral Medicines, Inc.
    Amikacin Sulfate Injection, Solution [Teva Parenteral Medicines, Inc.]

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