Amikacin

Amikacin is used as an antibiotic against various diseases of the respiratory tract, against abdominal complaints and also against infections of the kidneys or for burn wounds and meningitis. It is usually an easily tolerated antibiotic that has only a few common side effects.

What is amikacin?

Amikacin is used as an antibiotic e.g. used against various diseases of the respiratory tract, against complaints in the abdomen and also against infections of the kidney.

Amikacin belongs to the group of antibiotics, which are based on aminoglycosides and only works against aerobic and gram-negative bacteria. It is usually administered intravenously or directly intramuscularly, with only one exception in tablet form.

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This makes it the only aminoglycoside that is administered in any other form (apart from injections). Amikacin is generally well tolerated and can be used by both middle-aged and elderly people.

Pharmacological effect

As an antibiotic, Amikacin is only effective against certain bacteria and, apart from side effects, should not have any direct effects on individual organs. After administration, the aminoglycoside-based drug tries to intervene directly in the so-called protein biosynthesis of the infected bacteria.

This synthesis is inhibited by Amikacin and the formation of new proteins, which are necessary for the metabolism, is completely prevented by the active ingredient. As a result, infected bacteria are no longer viable and also unable to reproduce. Over a relatively short period of time, this should kill all infected bacteria. Of the actual active ingredient in amikacin, only about 11% enter the [[blood circulation], where it binds directly to plasma proteins.

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The "lifespan" of this plasma is three hours. During this time, Amikacin develops the described effect. Thereafter, the active ingredient is usually completely excreted in the urine, so no residues remain within the patient's body. How long amikacin treatment lasts depends on the severity of the condition and therefore varies from patient to patient.

Medical application & use

Amikacin is almost always given intravenously or intramuscularly. There are only a few preparations that are administered orally or in any other way. The drug itself is used for a variety of different diseases: Amikacin is primarily used as a remedy for respiratory infections caused by bacteria, and various infections in the abdomen (such as peritonitis in frequent cases) can be combated.

The antibiotic can also be used for mild to moderate burn wounds. In mild to moderate cases of meningitis or endocarditis, amikacin can also cause an improvement in symptoms. Amikacin is also used for septic infections of the kidney and the entire genitourinary system, when other drugs specifically tailored to these organs do not provide relief. Amikacin is also used for general bacteremia or sepsis.

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According to the current state of knowledge, Amikacin has no off-label uses. The drug must also not be used in newborns or premature babies, or if there is hypersensitivity to certain antibiotics based on aminoglycosides. The administration of Amikacin is also not advisable during pregnancy and breastfeeding, since in this way (breast milk) the child can come into contact with the active ingredient.

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Risks & side effects

Common side effects of amikacin include various gastrointestinal disorders, including a persistent feeling of nausea and vomiting as a result. Administration of the drug may also cause moderate headaches and impaired hearing.

Temporary kidney damage and a defect in peripheral nerves are among the side effects of amikacin. Breathing problems and persistent cramps and muscle twitching are also less common.

Furthermore, some interactions with other drugs are known: The aforementioned deterioration in hearing can be increased if cytostatics with platinum content or loop diuretics are administered in addition to amikacin. Patients who take muscle relaxants also complain of a significantly longer (undesirable) duration of the drug's effect when taking amikacin at the same time.