Note: This document contains side effect information about amikacin. Some dosage forms listed on this page may not apply to the brand name Amikin.
Applies to amikacin: injection solution.
Warning
Injection route (Solution)
Therapy has been associated with potential neurotoxicity, ototoxicity, and nephrotoxicity. Patients with impaired renal function, advanced age, dehydration, and those who receive high dosage or prolonged therapy are at an increased risk of toxicity. Monitor renal and auditory function during therapy and discontinue therapy or adjust dose if there is evidence of ototoxicity or nephrotoxicity. Aminoglycoside-induced ototoxicity is usually irreversible. Serum concentrations of aminoglycosides should be monitored when feasible to assure adequate levels and to avoid potentially toxic levels. Neuromuscular blockade and respiratory paralysis have also been reported following administration. Concurrent use of other potentially neurotoxic agents, nephrotoxic agents, or potent diuretics should be avoided.
Serious side effects of Amikin
Along with its needed effects, amikacin (the active ingredient contained in Amikin) may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor or nurse immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking amikacin:
Incidence not known
- Agitation
- black, tarry stools
- bloody or cloudy urine
- bluish lips or skin
- blurred vision
- burning, crawling, itching, numbness, prickling, "pins and needles", or tingling feelings
- chest pain
- chills
- coma
- confusion
- cough
- decrease in the amount of urine
- decreased urine output
- depression
- difficulty with breathing
- difficulty with moving
- dizziness
- dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position
- drowsiness
- dry mouth
- feeling of fullness in the ears
- fever
- headache
- hearing loss
- irritability
- lethargy
- loss of balance
- loss or change in hearing
- muscle pain or stiffness
- muscle twitching
- nausea
- not breathing
- pain in the joints
- pain in the lower back or side
- painful or difficult urination
- pale skin
- rapid weight gain
- ringing or buzzing in the ears
- seizures
- shakiness in the legs, arms, hands, or feet
- shortness of breath
- sore throat
- sores, ulcers, or white spots on the lips or in the mouth
- stupor
- sweating
- swelling of the face, ankles, or hands
- swollen glands
- thirst
- trembling or shaking of the hands or feet
- trouble with hearing
- troubled breathing with exertion
- unusual bleeding or bruising
- unusual tiredness or weakness
Other side effects of Amikin
Some side effects of amikacin may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.
Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
Incidence not known
- Skin rash
- vomiting
For Healthcare Professionals
Applies to amikacin: compounding powder, injectable solution, intravenous solution.
General
The most commonly reported side effects included injection site paint and hearing loss (permanent in some cases).[Ref]
Renal
Common (1% to 10%): Azotemia, decreased creatinine clearance, decreased renal function, increased serum creatinine, increased serum urea
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Renal failure
Frequency not reported: Acute renal failure, cells in urine, renal toxicity, toxic nephropathy[Ref]
Renal function changes were usually reversible when the drug was discontinued.[Ref]
Other
Common (1% to 10%): Hearing loss, permanent hearing loss
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Changes in caloric testing/electronystagmus, drug fever
Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Pyrexia
Frequency not reported: Auditory toxicity, cochlear damage, deafness, generalized burning, high frequency deafness, lethargy, neurosensory deafness, ototoxicity, vestibular toxicity[Ref]
Initial hearing loss usually manifests as diminution of high-tone acuity.[Ref]
Genitourinary
Common (1% to 10%): Oliguria, protein in the urine
Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Albuminuria, red blood cells in urine, white blood cells in urine[Ref]
Local
Common (1% to 10%): Injection site pain[Ref]
Injection site pain occurred with IM administration.[Ref]
Nervous system
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Dizziness, paresthesia, tremor, vertigo
Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Balance disorder, headache
Frequency not reported: Acute organic brain syndrome, confusion, convulsions, eighth cranial nerve toxicity, loss of balance, neuromuscular blockade, paralysis, pseudotumor cerebri[Ref]
Gastrointestinal
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Nausea, vomiting
Frequency not reported: Increased salivation, stomatitis[Ref]
Immunologic
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Superinfections or colonization with resistant bacteria or yeast[Ref]
Dermatologic
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Rash/skin rash
Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Pruritus, urticaria
Frequency not reported: Alopecia[Ref]
Musculoskeletal
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Arthralgia
Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Muscle twitching
Frequency not reported: Acute muscular paralysis, joint pain, myasthenia gravis-like syndrome[Ref]
Hematologic
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Anemia
Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Eosinophilia
Frequency not reported: Purpura, splenomegaly[Ref]
Hepatic
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): AST increased
Frequency not reported: Transient hepatomegaly[Ref]
Ocular
Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Blindness, macular infarction, permanent vision loss, retinal infarction
Frequency not reported: Visual disturbances[Ref]
Blindness, macular infarction, and retinal infarction occurred after intravitreous administration.[Ref]
Metabolic
Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Hypomagnesemia
Frequency not reported: Anorexia, decreased appetite, weight loss[Ref]
Cardiovascular
Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Hypotension
Frequency not reported: Hypertension[Ref]
Hypersensitivity
Frequency not reported: Anaphylactic reaction, anaphylactic response, anaphylactic shock, anaphylactoid reaction, hypersensitivity[Ref]
Respiratory
Frequency not reported: Apnea, bronchospasm, laryngeal edema, pulmonary fibrosis, respiratory depression[Ref]
Psychiatric
Frequency not reported: Depression[Ref]