Clinical Information

Amikacin is an aminoglycoside used to treat severe blood infections by susceptible strains of gram-negative bacteria. Aminoglycosides induce bacterial death by irreversibly binding bacterial ribosomes to inhibit protein synthesis. Amikacin is minimally absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract, and thus can been used orally to reduce intestinal flora.

Peak serum concentrations are seen 30 minutes after intravenous infusion, or 60 minutes after intramuscular administration. Serum half-lives in patients with normal renal function are generally 2 to 3 hours. Excretion of aminoglycosides is principally renal, and all aminoglycosides may accumulate in the kidney at 50 to 100 times the serum concentration.

Toxicity can present as dizziness, vertigo, or, if severe, ataxia and a Meniere disease-like syndrome. Auditory toxicity may be manifested by simple tinnitus or any degree of hearing loss, which may be temporary or permanent, and can extend to total irreversible deafness. Nephrotoxicity is most frequently manifested by transient proteinuria or azotemia, which may occasionally be severe. Aminoglycosides also are associated with variable degrees of neuromuscular blockade leading to apnea.