Medicines
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Discover all available medicines and treatments
Brand: Amikin
Amikacin is a powerful aminoglycoside antibiotic used to treat serious bacterial infections, particularly those resistant to other aminoglycosides like gentamicin and tobramycin. It works by inhibiting protein synthesis in bacteria, leading to their death. It is classified as a bactericidal antibiotic. Due to its potential for serious side effects, including hearing loss and kidney damage, its use is generally reserved for severe infections where less toxic alternatives are ineffective.
For the treatment of serious bacterial infections resistant to other aminoglycosides.
Amikacin can cause serious side effects, including irreversible hearing loss (ototoxicity) and kidney damage (nephrotoxicity). Patients should be closely monitored for these effects, especially those with pre-existing kidney problems or those receiving prolonged treatment. Neuromuscular blockade and respiratory paralysis have also been reported.
Outcome:
Increased risk of kidney damage
Mechanism:
Additive nephrotoxicity
Outcome:
Decreased amikacin clearance
Mechanism:
Reduced renal blood flow
Outcome:
Reduced amikacin absorption
Mechanism:
Chelation
Most likely new formulation: Liposomal amikacin for improved delivery and reduced toxicity (2025, 60% confidence)
Based on increasing resistance patterns, there is a 70% likelihood of new guidelines recommending amikacin as a first-line treatment for specific multi-drug resistant infections in the next 5 years.
Aminoglycoside Antibiotic
Aminoglycoside