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Arikayce is an inhaled antibiotic that is used to treat Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) lung disease. Common side effects include hoarseness, muscle pain, tiredness, diarrhea, nausea, and headache. Serious side effects may include breathing problems, hearing loss, and kidney damage. If you use more than one medicine that you breathe into your lungs, follow your health care provider’s instructions on the best order to use them.

Uses

What is Arikayce used for?

Arikayce (amikacin for nebulization) is an antibiotic that is commonly used to treat Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) lung disease, which is a lung infection caused by a certain group of bacteria.

Arikayce may also be used for other conditions as determined by your health care provider.

Arikayce may not be appropriate for the infection listed above, depending on which germs are causing the infection. Bacteria in some locations may have developed resistance to Arikayce, which will make it not work as well.

How does Arikayce work (mechanism of action)?

Arikayce kills certain types of bacteria by preventing them from making proteins.

How is Arikayce supplied (dosage forms)?

Brands and other names

  • Arikayce

Dosage forms and strengths

  • 590 mg/8.4 mL vials

Amikacin is also available in an injectable form. See Amikacin for more information.

How should I store Arikayce?

Arikayce should be refrigerated, between 36 F to 46 F (2 C to 8 C). Do not freeze it. Arikayce may be stored at room temperature up to 77 F (25 C) for up to four weeks. If you store Arikayce at room temperature, any unused medicine must be thrown away four weeks after removing it from the refrigerator.

Side Effects

What are the most common side effects of Arikayce?

The most common side effects of Arikayce are listed below. Tell your health care provider if you have any of these side effects that bother you.

  • Hoarseness or changes in voice
  • Cough, airway irritation, or worsening of existing lung problems
  • Breathing problems (see below)
  • Coughing up blood (see below)
  • Muscle pain
  • Hearing loss (see below)
  • Tiredness
  • Diarrhea or nausea
  • Headache

There may be other side effects of Arikayce that are not listed here. Contact your health care provider if you think you are having a side effect of a medicine. In the U.S., you can report side effects to the FDA at www.fda.gov/medwatch or by calling 800-FDA-1088. In Canada, you can report side effects to Health Canada at www.health.gc.ca/medeffect or by calling 866-234-2345.

What are the serious side effects of Arikayce?

While less common, the most serious side effects of Arikayce are described below, along with what to do if they happen.

Severe Allergic Reactions. Arikayce may cause allergic reactions, which can be serious. Stop using Arikayce and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.

  • Breathing problems or wheezing
  • Racing heart
  • Fever or general ill feeling
  • Swollen lymph nodes
  • Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
  • Trouble swallowing or throat tightness
  • Itching, skin rash, or pale red bumps on the skin called hives
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
  • Stomach cramps
  • Joint pain

Lung Inflammation. Arikacye can cause an allergic inflammation in your lungs, called hypersensitivity pneumonitis. Follow your health care provider’s instructions on using other medicine to reduce your risk of this. Tell your health care provider if you notice any of the following. 

  • Fever
  • Coughing
  • Rapid breathing
  • Shortness of breath or wheezing

Coughing Up Blood (Hemoptysis). Arikayce may cause you to cough up blood. Tell your health care provider if you start noticing blood upon coughing either during or after administering Arikayce, especially in the first month of starting Arikayce.

Breathing Problems. Arikayce may cause the muscles around the airways to tighten (bronchospasm), which can be serious. Stop using Arikayce and contact your health care provider right away if you have trouble breathing.

Hearing Loss. Arikayce may be associated with hearing loss, which is also called ototoxicity. Hearing loss may be permanent. You may be at a higher risk of hearing loss if your mother has a history of hearing loss with Arikayce or any similar medicines. Tell your health care provider right away if you have hearing loss or dizziness; feel off balance; or hear a ringing or hissing sound.

Kidney Damage. Kidney damage can happen when using Arikayce. Call your health care provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms of kidney damage.

  • Reduced need to pee
  • Swelling in your feet, ankles, or legs
  • Weakness or unusual tiredness
  • Difficulty catching your breath or chest pain/pressure
  • Confusion
  • Nausea
  • Seizures

Warnings & Precautions

Who should not use Arikayce?

Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not use Arikayce.

  • Amikacin
  • Arikayce
  • Any other medicine known as an aminoglycoside
  • Any of the ingredients in the specific product dispensed

Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in Arikayce.

What should I know about Arikayce before using it?

Do not use Arikayce unless it has been prescribed to you by a health care provider. Use it as prescribed. Arikayce should only be used with the Lamira Nebulizer System. Make sure that you or a caregiver understands how to properly prepare and use Arikayce. If you have any questions, talk to your health care provider. Do not use the Lamira Nebulizer System with any other medicine.

Do not share Arikayce with other people, even if they have the same condition as you. It may harm them.

Keep Arikayce out of the reach of children. As this medicine should be kept in a refrigerator, take special precautions to keep it away from children who also use the refrigerator.

If you are using other inhaled medicines for lung conditions, your health care provider may tell you to use your inhaled medicines in a specific order. Follow all instructions given to you by your health care provider.

Arikayce should be at room temperature before it is used. Before opening, shake the vial so that the contents are well-mixed. Ask your pharmacist if you have any questions about using Arikayce.

Arikayce can make you dizzy or cause breathing problems. Do not drive or do other activities that require alertness or coordination until you know how Arikayce affects you.

Arikayce may cause problems speaking. If you cannot talk or have trouble talking, tell your health care provider right away. 

What should I tell my health care provider before using Arikayce?

Tell your health care provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. This will help them determine if Arikayce is right for you.

In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following.

Other Medicines and Supplements. Arikayce may interact with other medicines and supplements. Before using Arikayce, tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. See the Interactions section for more details.

Family History. Certain genetic factors can increase your chance of developing hearing loss with Arikayce. For example, if your mother had hearing problems from Arikayce, or a similar medicine, you may be at a higher risk for this side effect. Tell your health care provider about any family history of side effects to this type of antibiotic that you know about.

Current and Past Health Conditions. Tell your health care provider if you have any of the following.

  • Kidney problems
  • Muscle or nerve problems, such as myasthenia gravis
  • Lung problems, such as poor lung function, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), or asthma
  • Hearing problems, including hearing noises like hissing or ringing
  • Dizziness, feeling off balance or like the room is spinning

Pregnancy. Arikayce may cause harm to an unborn baby. Tell your health care provider if you are or plan to become pregnant. Your health care provider will advise you if you should use Arikayce while you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant.

Breastfeeding. It is not known if Arikayce passes into breast milk. Tell your health care provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. Your health care provider will advise you if you should use Arikayce while breastfeeding.

How can I get more information about Arikayce?

For more information about Arikayce, you can visit the manufacturer’s website at www.arikayce.com or call them at 833-274-5273.

Interactions

Does Arikayce interact with foods or drinks?

There are no known interactions between Arikayce and foods or drinks.

It is unknown if drinking alcohol will affect Arikayce, but heavy drinking can slow your immune response and make it harder for your body to fight infection. 

Does Arikayce interact with other medicines (drug interactions)?

Always tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using.

In particular, make sure that you discuss if you are using any of the following before using Arikayce.

  • A nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), such as aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen, and others, which is in many prescription and OTC products for pain, swelling, and fever
  • An aminoglycoside antibiotic, such as amikacin, gentamicin, or tobramycin, which is a medicine to treat infections
  • A diuretic (also called a water pill), such as ethacrynic acid or furosemide, which is a medicine used to reduce edema (fluid retention) and blood pressure

This may not be a complete list of medicines that can interact with Arikayce. Always check with your health care provider.

Does interact with other drugs you are taking?

Enter your medication into the WebMD interaction checker

Overdose/Missed Dose

What should I do if I accidentally use too much Arikayce?

If you or someone else has used too much Arikayce, get medical help right away, call 911, or contact a Poison Control center at 800-222-1222.

What should I do if I miss a dose of Arikayce?

If you miss a dose, skip the missed dose. Use your next dose when you normally would. Do not use double or extra doses.

It is important to complete your prescribed course of Arikayce, even if your symptoms get better or go away. This will reduce the risk of future infections being resistant to Arikayce or other similar medicines.