Antimicrobials
Amikacin

Amikacin

Spectrum of Activity

General Information

10-15 mg/kg IV/IM/SQ q24h

15-30 mg/kg IV/IM/SQ q24h

CLSI breakpoints for E. coli, Pseudomonas and Staphylococcus are based on 15 mg/kg IV/IM/SC q24h.

  • Canine: 15-30 mg/kg IV/IM/SQ q24h
  • Feline: 10-15 mg/kg IV/IM/SQ q24h
  • Commonly used to treat serious staphylococcal and gram negative infections in horses and small animals
  • Therapy of gram negative organisms resistant to gentamicin and tobramycin but susceptible to amikacin
  • Topical application in the case of local infections

Monitoring

  • Evaluate urine specific gravity and serum creatinine prior to treatment and periodically during treatment (e.g. every 3-5 days)
  • Cytological examination of urine for casts should be considered concurrently
  • Monitoring peak and trough drug levels is ideal, when available
  • Bactericidal, concentration-dependent
  • IV, IM, and SC routes of administration
    • Therapeutic concentrations found in bone, heart, gallbladder, and lung tissues after parenteral administration
  • Distributed primarily in extracellular fluid
  • Eliminated by glomerular filtration
  • Half-life: 1-3 hours for adult animals
    • Increased in neonates and animals with renal dysfunction
  • Less nephrotoxic than other aminoglycosides
  • Cochlear damage
  • Neuromuscular blockade

Synergistic activity with β-lactam antibiotics.

Avoid concurrent use with:

  • Diuretics
  • Neuromuscular blocking agents
  • Other nephrotoxic drugs

No approved product for dogs and cats in Canada.

  • Giguère S, Prescott JF, Dowling PM, Eds. Antimicrobial Therapy in Veterinary Medicine. 5th ed. Wiley Blackwell; 2013.
  • Plumb DC. Amikacin. Plumb’s Veterinary Drugs. Updated April 2020.