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Amikin (Amikacin Sulfate) - Summary

 
 



WARNINGS

Patients treated with parenteral aminoglycosides should be under close clinical observation because of the potential ototoxicity and nephrotoxicity associated with their use. Safety for treatment periods which are longer than 14 days has not been established.

Neurotoxicity, manifested as vestibular and permanent bilateral auditory ototoxicity, can occur in patients with preexisting renal damage and in patients with normal renal function treated at higher doses and/or for periods longer than those recommended. The risk of aminoglycoside-induced ototoxicity is greater in patients with renal damage. High frequency deafness usually occurs first and can be detected only by audiometric testing. Vertigo may occur and may be evidence of vestibular injury. Other manifestations of neurotoxicity may include numbness, skin tingling, muscle twitching, and convulsions. The risk of hearing loss due to aminoglycosides increases with the degree of exposure to either high peak or high trough serum concentrations. Patients developing cochlear damage may not have symptoms during therapy to warn them of developing eighth-nerve toxicity, and total or partial irreversible bilateral deafness may occur after the drug has been discontinued. Aminoglycoside-induced ototoxicity is usually irreversible.

Aminoglycosides are potentially nephrotoxic. The risk of nephrotoxicity is greater in patients with impaired renal function and in those who receive high doses or prolonged therapy.

Neuromuscular blockade and respiratory paralysis have been reported following parenteral injection, topical instillation (as in orthopedic and abdominal irrigation or in local treatment of empyema), and following oral use of aminoglycosides. The possibility of these phenomena should be considered if aminoglycosides are administered by any route, especially in patients receiving anesthetics, neuromuscular blocking agents such as tubocurarine, succinylcholine, decamethonium, or in patients receiving massive transfusions of citrate-anticoagulated blood. If blockage occurs, calcium salts may reverse these phenomena, but mechanical respiratory assistance may be necessary.

Renal and eighth-nerve function should be closely monitored especially in patients with known or suspected renal impairment at the onset of therapy and also in those whose renal function is initially normal but who develop signs of renal dysfunction during therapy. Serum concentrations of amikacin should be monitored when feasible to assure adequate levels and to avoid potentially toxic levels and prolonged peak concentrations above 35 micrograms per mL. Urine should be examined for decreased specific gravity, increased excretion of proteins, and the presence of cells or casts. Blood urea nitrogen, serum creatinine, or creatinine clearance should be measured periodically. Serial audiograms should be obtained where feasible in patients old enough to be tested, particularly high risk patients. Evidence of ototoxicity (dizziness, vertigo, tinnitus, roaring in the ears, and hearing loss) or nephrotoxicity requires discontinuation of the drug or dosage adjustment.

Concurrent and/or sequential systemic, oral, or topical use of other neurotoxic or nephrotoxic products, particularly bacitracin, cisplatin, amphotericin B, cephaloridine, paromomycin, viomycin, polymyxin B, colistin, vancomycin, or other aminoglycosides should be avoided. Other factors that may increase risk of toxicity are advanced age and dehydration.

The concurrent use of AMIKIN with potent diuretics (ethacrynic acid, or furosemide) should be avoided since diuretics by themselves may cause ototoxicity. In addition, when administered intravenously, diuretics may enhance aminoglycoside toxicity by altering antibiotic concentrations in serum and tissue.

 

AMIKIN SUMMARY

AMIKIN®
Amikacin Sulfate Injection, USP

Amikacin sulfate is a semi-synthetic aminoglycoside antibiotic derived from kanamycin. It is C22H43N5O13•2H2SO4. D-Streptamine, O -3-amino-3-deoxy-α-D-glucopyranosyl - (1→6)- O - [6-amino-6-deoxy-α-D-glucopyranosyl- (1→4)]- N 1-(4-amino-2-hydroxy-1-oxobutyl)-2-deoxy-, (S)-,sulfate (1:2) (salt).

AMIKIN 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 AMIKIN 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 post-operative infections (including post-vascular surgery). Clinical studies have shown AMIKIN also to be effective in serious complicated and recurrent urinary tract infections due to these organisms. Aminoglycosides, including AMIKIN injectable, 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. AMIKIN 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 AMIKIN 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.

AMIKIN 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.


See all Amikin indications & dosage >>

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS

Published Studies Related to Amikin (Amikacin)

Higher than recommended amikacin loading doses achieve pharmacokinetic targets without associated toxicity. [2011.08]
Antibiotic therapy improves the outcome of severe sepsis and septic shock, however pharmacokinetic properties are altered in this scenario...

Nebulized ceftazidime and amikacin in ventilator-associated pneumonia caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa. [2011.07.01]
RATIONALE: In experimental pneumonia, nebulization of antibiotics provides high lung tissue concentrations and rapid bacterial killing. OBJECTIVES: To assess the efficacy and safety of nebulized ceftazidime and amikacin in ventilator-associated pneumonia caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa... CONCLUSIONS: Nebulization and intravenous infusion of ceftazidime and amikacin provide similar efficiency for treating ventilator-associated pneumonia caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Nebulization is efficient against intermediate strains and may prevent per-treatment acquisition of antibiotic resistance.

Population pharmacokinetics of amikacin in a Korean clinical population. [2011.06]
OBJECTIVE: This study aimed at investigating the influence of demographic and clinical covariates on the population pharmacokinetics of amikacin in Korean patients from routinely collected therapeutic drug monitoring data... CONCLUSIONS: The population pharmacokinetic model developed in this study may be used as a basis for finding optimal amikacin dosing in a Korean patient population without a significant bias. Further studies will be needed to validate these results.

Piperacillin/tazobactam monotherapy versus piperacillin/tazobactam plus amikacin as initial empirical therapy for febrile neutropenia in children with acute leukemia. [2011.05]
The purpose of this study is to compare the efficacy and safety of piperacillin/tazobactam (PIP/TAZO) versus PIP/TAZO plus amikacin in febrile neutropenic children with acute leukemia (AL). Children with AL who had febrile neutropenic episodes were randomized to treatment with PIP/TAZO versus PIP/TAZO plus amikacin...

The efficacy and toxicity of two dosing-regimens of amikacin in neonates with sepsis. [2011.02]
WHAT IS KNOWN AND OBJECTIVE: Neonatal sepsis is one of the most common reasons for admission to neonatal units in developing countries. Aminoglycosides widely used in its treatment are usually administered two or three times a day. Less frequent doing may be more convenient and as effective. We aim to compare the efficacy and safety (nephrotoxicity) of once daily vs. twice daily dosing of amikacin in neonates with suspected or proven sepsis and report on the drug's pharmacokinetics in these subjects... CONCLUSION: As expected, amikacin given once every 24 h to septic neonates of >/= 36 weeks of gestation achieved higher peak levels and lower trough concentrations than the twice daily regimen. Treatment with once daily regimen did not lead to more nephrotoxicity than with a twice-daily regimen, and showed comparable efficacy. (c) 2010 Blackwell Publishing Ltd.

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Clinical Trials Related to Amikin (Amikacin)

Pharmacokinetics of Nebulized Amikacin in Patients With Pneumonia Undergoing Mechanical Ventilation [Recruiting]

Impact of Imipenem With Amikacin Pharmacokinetic and Pharmacodynamic [Completed]
The study is a prospective open trial conducted in 4 centers, and designed to determine if pharmacokinetic (PK) and pharmacodynamic (PD) parameters of imipenem, associated with amikacin as empirical therapy, impact microbiological and clinical outcome of patients with Gram negative bacilli (GNB) ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP).

Aerosolized Amikacin and Fosfomycin in Mechanically Ventilated Patients With Gram-negative and / or Gram-positive Bacterial Colonization [Active, not recruiting]
To demonstrate the safety and efficacy of adjunctive therapy with the Amikacin Fosfomycin Inhalation System (AFIS) versus aerosolized placebo in mechanically ventilated patients with Gram-negative and / or Gram-positive bacterial colonization.

Nebulized Ceftazidime and Amikacin in Ventilator Associated Pneumonia [Completed]

Aerosolized Amikacin and Fosfomycin in Mechanically Ventilated Patients With Gram-negative Pneumonia [Recruiting]
To demonstrate the safety and efficacy of adjunctive therapy with the Amikacin fosfomycin inhalation system (AFIS) versus aerosolized placebo to treat Gram-negative pneumonia in mechanically ventilated patients receiving IV antibiotics.

more trials >>


Page last updated: 2011-12-09

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