What is Amikacin Sulfate used for?

Amikacin Sulfate is used to treat serious infections caused by specific types of bacteria, such as those affecting the blood, lungs, bones, or urinary tract.

Can Amikacin Sulfate cause hearing loss?

Yes, Amikacin Sulfate can cause permanent hearing loss or balance issues due to its effect on the nerves.

Is Amikacin Sulfate safe during pregnancy?

No, Amikacin Sulfate can cause serious harm to a fetus, including irreversible deafness, so it should be used with extreme caution.

Does Amikacin Sulfate affect the kidneys?

Yes, this medication can cause kidney damage, and doctors will monitor your kidney function during treatment.

How is Amikacin Sulfate administered?

It is given as an injection into a muscle or through an IV (intravenous) line.

Can I take Amikacin Sulfate if I am breastfeeding?

It is not known if the drug passes into milk, so you must talk to your doctor to decide if it is safer to stop nursing or stop the drug.

What should I do if I have an overdose of Amikacin Sulfate?

In an overdose, medical professionals may use dialysis to help clear the drug from your blood.

Why do doctors check my blood during Amikacin Sulfate treatment?

Doctors check blood levels to make sure the dose is high enough to kill bacteria but not so high that it becomes toxic.

Amikacin Sulfate | CAS 39831-55-5 | FXKSEJFHKVNEFI

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Aminoglycoside antibiotic

Amikacin Sulfate is an antibiotic used to treat serious infections caused by certain types of bacteria. It is given through an injection into a muscle or a vein. Because it can affect hearing and kidney function, doctors monitor patients closely during treatment.

How it worksAmikacin Sulfate works by stopping bacteria from building the proteins they need to survive.

Brand names:ARIKAYCE KIT, AMIKIN IN SODIUM CHLORIDE 0.9% IN PLASTIC CONTAINER

Used for

Serious infections from Gram-negative bacteriaBacterial infections in the blood (septicemia)Respiratory tract infectionsBone and joint infectionsCentral nervous system infections like meningitisSkin and soft tissue infectionsAbdominal infections like peritonitisBurn and post-surgery infectionsComplicated urinary tract infections

Conditions

Gram-negative bacterial infectionsSepsisPeritonitisPost-operative infections

Class

AntibioticAminoglycosideAminoglycoside antibioticNervous systemRenal systemAuditory systemMuscular system

How to take

FormsIntramuscular injection, Intravenous injection

RoutesInjection

Dosage is based on the patient's body weight and kidney function. For adults with normal kidney function, it is usually given in 2 or 3 equal doses per day. Doctors may check blood levels to ensure the dose is effective but not too high.

The drug is for single-use vials only; any leftover medicine should be thrown away after use.

Key warnings

Amikacin Sulfate can cause permanent hearing loss (ototoxicity) and kidney damage (nephrotoxicity). Patients must be closely watched for these side effects, especially if treated for more than 14 days or if they have existing kidney problems.

·Amikacin Sulfate can cause permanent hearing loss (ototoxicity) and kidney damage (nephrotoxicity). Patients must be closely watched for these side effects, especially if treated for more than 14 days or if they have existing kidney problems.
·Can cause harm to an unborn baby, including permanent deafness.
·May cause ear damage (hearing loss or vertigo).
·May cause kidney damage.
·May cause muscle weakness or breathing problems.
·Contains sulfites which may cause reactions in sensitive people.

Do not use if

·Known allergy to amikacin
·Known allergy or serious reaction to other aminoglycoside antibiotics

Side effects

Common

Hearing changesBalance issuesNauseaVomitingSkin rashHeadache

Serious

·Permanent hearing loss
·Kidney damage
·Muscle paralysis
·Difficulty breathing (apnea)
·Vision loss

Seek help if

·Sudden hearing loss
·Dizziness or vertigo
·Changes in urination
·Muscle weakness

Interactions

·BIAXIN
·KETEK
·ZYVOX
·CLEOCIN HYDROCHLORIDE
·CHLOROPTIC
·MECLAN
·ACTISITE
·SIVEXTRO
·ACHROMYCIN
·TERRAMYCIN
·PCE
·EDECRIN
·UREAPHIL

Special populations

PregnancyAmikacin Sulfate can cause serious harm to a fetus, including permanent deafness. If you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant while using this drug, tell your doctor immediately.

BreastfeedingIt is unknown if Amikacin Sulfate passes into breast milk. Because of the risk of serious reactions in infants, your doctor will help decide if you should stop breastfeeding or stop taking the medication.

PediatricDoctors should use caution with premature and newborn infants because their kidneys are not fully developed, which can cause the drug to stay in their system longer.

Geriatricnull

Talk to your doctor

Monitor

·Hearing levels
·Balance and vertigo
·Kidney function (creatinine levels)
·Urinary output

Questions to ask

·Will my hearing be tested during treatment?
·How often will my kidney function be checked?
·Is this dose safe for my weight?
·What are the signs of an allergic reaction?

Pharmacokinetics

OnsetRapidly absorbed after intramuscular administration.

ExcretionAbout 91.9% is excreted in urine within 8 hours and 98.2% within 24 hours after intramuscular use.

Practical

OverdoseIf an overdose occurs, doctors may use dialysis (blood filtering) to remove the drug. For newborns, an exchange transfusion might be used.

DisposalAny unused portion remaining in the vial should be discarded.

Ingredients

Allergens

sulfite

Inactive

sodium metabisuflitesodium citrate dihydratesulfuric acid

Educational summary derived from FDA labeling, AI-assisted. Not medical advice — consult a healthcare professional. Updated 2026-04-25.