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Overview: Amikacin is an antibiotic that is injected into a muscle or vein to treat many serious infections caused by certain bacteria. Serious side effects include hearing loss, nerve damage, and kidney damage. Drink plenty of water, which may help reduce the risk for kidney damage. Call your health care provider right away if you feel dizzy or off-balance, have ringing in your ears or tingling or numbness in your skin, or get watery or bloody diarrhea even up to two months after stopping this medicine. 

Uses

What is amikacin used for?

Amikacin is an antibiotic that is commonly used for the following serious infections caused by certain bacteria.

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

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

How does amikacin work (mechanism of action)?

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

How is amikacin supplied (dosage forms)?

Brands and other names

  • Amikin

Dosage forms and strengths

Amikacin is available in an injectable form that is given by a health care provider.

Amikacin is also available in an inhaled form. See Arikayce (amikacin) for more information.

How should I store amikacin?

Amikacin is usually given by a health care provider in a hospital or clinic. If you store amikacin at home, follow the instructions given by your health care provider.

Side Effects

What are the most common side effects of amikacin?

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

  • Vertigo
  • Dizziness
  • Ringing or roaring sound in your ears 
  • Nerve damage (see below)

There may be other side effects of amikacin 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 amikacin?

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

Severe Allergic Reactions. Amikacin may cause allergic reactions, which can be serious. The risk of allergic reactions may be higher if you are allergic to sulfites or have certain medical conditions, such as asthma. Stop using amikacin 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

Antibiotic-Associated Diarrhea. An overgrowth of germs called Clostridioides difficile, or “C. diff,” can happen in your gut with many types of antibiotics, including amikacin. This can cause a condition known as antibiotic-associated diarrhea and can happen even two months or more after stopping the antibiotic. Call your health care provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms of this condition.

  • Watery diarrhea
  • Diarrhea that does not go away
  • Blood in your stool (poop)
  • Severe stomach cramps
  • Fever that starts after you start or finish the medicine

Hearing Loss. Amikacin may cause hearing loss, which is also called ototoxicity. The risk of hearing loss is higher if amikacin is used for longer periods of time or at higher doses. The risk is also higher in people with kidney problems. You may be at higher risk of hearing loss if your mother has a history of hearing loss with amikacin or any similar medicines. Hearing loss may be permanent. Some people may also feel off-balance, due to nerve damage inside the ear. Tell your health care provider right away if you have hearing loss or hear a ringing or roaring sound in your ears.

Nerve Damage. Damage to nerves can happen in people who are using amikacin. The risk of nerve damage is higher if amikacin is used for longer periods of time or at higher doses. The risk is also higher in people with kidney problems. Nerve damage can also cause muscle-related symptoms such as muscle twitching, paralysis, or breathing problems. Tell your health care provider if you develop seizures or symptoms of nerve damage, such as tingling or numbness.

Kidney Damage. Kidney damage can happen when using amikacin. The risk of kidney damage is higher if amikacin is used for longer periods of time or at higher doses. The risk is also higher in people with kidney problems. It is important to drink plenty of water and stay hydrated while you are using amikacin. 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 amikacin?

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

  • Amikacin
  • Amikin
  • 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 the specific amikacin products they stock.

What should I know about amikacin before using it?

Amikacin is usually given by a health care provider in a hospital or clinic. Do not use amikacin unless it has been prescribed to you by a health care provider. Use it as prescribed. If you store amikacin at home, do not share amikacin with other people, even if they have the same condition as you. It may harm them.

Throughout treatment, drink plenty of water and stay hydrated to reduce the risk for serious side effects, including kidney damage. See the Side Effects section for more details. 

Amikacin only treats certain infections caused by bacteria. It will not work for infections caused by viruses, such as the common cold, the flu, or coronavirus. It also will not work for any other infections that are not caused by bacteria. Using amikacin, or any other antibiotic, when it is not needed may cause the antibiotic to not work for bacterial infections in the future.

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

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 amikacin is right for you.

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

Other Medicines and Supplements. Amikacin may interact with other medicines and supplements. Before using amikacin, 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.

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

Family History. Certain genetic factors can increase your chance of developing hearing loss with amikacin. For example, if your mother had hearing problems from amikacin, or a similar medicine, you may be at 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.

Pregnancy. Amikacin 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 amikacin while you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant.

Breastfeeding. It is not known if amikacin 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 stop breastfeeding or stop amikacin.

Interactions

Does amikacin interact with foods or drinks?

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

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

Does amikacin 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 amikacin.

  • 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 gentamicin, neomycin, 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 amikacin. 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 amikacin?

If you or someone else has used too much amikacin, 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 amikacin?

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

Amikacin is usually given by a health care provider in a hospital. Your health care provider will make sure you are receiving amikacin as scheduled. If you miss an appointment to get your amikacin dose, call to make another appointment as soon as possible.