amikacin
Brand names: Amikin
Amikacin is an antibiotic medicine. It fights serious infections caused by certain types of bacteria.
What it does
Amikacin treats serious infections caused by bacteria.
Common side effects
No common side effects listed.
Key warnings
Amikacin can potentially cause hearing loss and kidney damage.
How It Works
Amikacin belongs to a class of drugs called aminoglycosides. It works by stopping the growth of bacteria. This helps your body fight off the infection.
How to Take It
Amikacin is given as an injection into a muscle or vein. Your doctor will decide the right dose for you based on your weight and kidney function. It is usually given 2 or 3 times a day. Treatment usually lasts 7 to 10 days.
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Amikacin may harm your unborn baby. It is not known if amikacin passes into breast milk.
Missed Dose
Call your doctor right away if you miss a dose. They will tell you when to get your next injection.
Storage
Store at room temperature between 68° to 77°F (20° to 25°C).
Side Effects (from patient reports)
Based on 12,996 FDA adverse event reports.
FDA Adverse Event Report Analysis
Detailed analysis of 16,238 reports from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Reports span 2004–2025.
Total Reports
16,238
Death-Related Reports
3,283
Hospitalization Reports
6,935
Top Indication
Product Used For Unknown Indication
Gender Distribution
Age Distribution
Most Reported Adverse Reactions (FAERS)
| # | Reaction | Reports |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | OFF LABEL USE | 1,908 |
| 2 | DRUG INEFFECTIVE | 1,673 |
| 3 | COUGH | 1,620 |
| 4 | DYSPNOEA | 1,556 |
| 5 | HOSPITALISATION | 1,360 |
| 6 | THERAPY INTERRUPTED | 1,348 |
| 7 | DEATH | 1,103 |
| 8 | DYSPHONIA | 977 |
| 9 | PRODUCT DOSE OMISSION ISSUE | 730 |
| 10 | NAUSEA | 721 |
| 11 | FATIGUE | 702 |
| 12 | PNEUMONIA | 649 |
| 13 | DIARRHOEA | 634 |
| 14 | PYREXIA | 632 |
| 15 | PRODUCTIVE COUGH | 598 |
Reactions in Death Reports
Reactions in Hospitalization Reports
Source: FDA FAERS (Adverse Event Reporting System) FDA FAERS (Adverse Event Reporting System) Reports are voluntary and do not establish causation
Serious Warnings
Amikacin can potentially cause hearing loss and kidney damage. Tell your doctor if you have kidney problems or are taking other medicines that can affect your hearing or kidneys. Your doctor should closely monitor you for hearing and kidney problems during treatment. This drug can also cause muscle weakness or breathing problems, especially if you are also taking anesthesia or certain muscle relaxants.
Known Drug Interactions
Nephrotoxic agents Concomitant administration of cidofovir injection and agents with nephrotoxic potential [e.g., intravenous aminoglycosides (e.g., tobramycin, gentamicin, and amikacin), amphotericin B, foscarnet, intravenous pentamidine, vancomycin, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents] is contraindicated.
Mechanism: Both of these drugs can be harmful to the kidneys. Using them together significantly increases the chance of kidney injury.
What to do: You should not take these medicines together. Your doctor will need to change your treatment plan to avoid this combination.
ZOSYN, which contains EDTA, is compatible with amikacin and gentamicin for simultaneous Y-site infusion in certain diluents and at specific concentrations.
Mechanism: These two drugs can be given through the same IV line at the same time as long as they are mixed in specific liquids and at certain strengths.
What to do: Your healthcare provider should follow specific mixing instructions to ensure both medications remain safe and effective.
Common Questions
How long will I need to take amikacin?
What tests will be done while I am taking amikacin?
Can amikacin affect my hearing?
Can amikacin affect my kidneys?
What should I do if I experience dizziness or hearing changes?
Can I take amikacin if I am allergic to other antibiotics?
Will amikacin interact with other medications I am taking?
How will I know if the amikacin is working?
Are there any long-term side effects of amikacin?
When should I call my doctor?
Does amikacin interact with other medications?
What drug class is amikacin?
Is amikacin safe during pregnancy?
Related Medications in Aminoglycoside Antibiotic
Other drugs grouped near amikacin — same-class peers and common alternatives.
amoxicillin
Amoxil
Amoxicillin and Clavulanate Potassium is a combination medicine used to fight bacterial infections.
Compare with amikacin →
amoxicillin/clavulanate
Augmentin
Augmentin is a combination of two medicines, amoxicillin and clavulanate.
Compare with amikacin →
ampicillin/sulbactam
Unasyn
Unasyn is a combination of two antibiotics that fights bacteria in your body.
Compare with amikacin →
azithromycin
Zithromax, Z-Pack
Azithromycin is an antibiotic that fights bacteria.
Compare with amikacin →
cefazolin
Ancef, Kefzol
Cefazolin is an antibiotic medicine.
Compare with amikacin →
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What the FDA Data Shows for amikacin
The FDA label for amikacin (sold under brand names such as Amikin) classifies it as a prescription-only medication in the Aminoglycoside Antibiotic class. Amikacin treats serious infections caused by bacteria. Labeling covers dosing, contraindications, and monitoring requirements derived from clinical trials.
Post-market surveillance from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) captures real-world experience. For this drug, FAERS contains 12,996 voluntary reports. The database also lists 2 documented drug interactions derived from FDA labeling, with the top-flagged interaction rated major severity. Acquisition-cost data is surveyed weekly by CMS and updated as manufacturers report changes.
Report counts do not establish causation — a FAERS entry documents a temporal association, not proof that the drug produced the outcome. Widely prescribed medications naturally accumulate more reports than niche therapies, so raw totals must be interpreted alongside total exposure. Shortage status, recall history, and patent information further shape supply and switching decisions. This page summarizes public FDA data for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice — always consult a licensed healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
Data Sources
Drug labeling: FDA Drug Labels (SPL/DailyMed). Adverse events: FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS).
FAERS reports are voluntary and do not establish causation. Drug interactions are derived from FDA labeling and clinical references. Always consult a healthcare professional before making medication decisions.
Last updated: April 8, 2024
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.
All federal data sources used on this page
- FDA Orange Book — approved drug products with therapeutic equivalence. accessdata.fda.gov/cder/ob
- FDA DailyMed — NIH-hosted drug labeling for FDA-approved meds. dailymed.nlm.nih.gov
- FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) — post-marketing safety surveillance. fda.gov/drugs/faers
- NLM RxNorm — standardized clinical drug nomenclature. nlm.nih.gov/research/umls/rxnorm
- CMS Medicare Part B Drug Average Sales Price Files — federal drug pricing data. cms.gov/medicare/part-b-drugs/asp
- FDA Drug Shortages Database — current and resolved drug shortage tracking. accessdata.fda.gov/drugshortages