Kanamycin (By injection)
kan-a-MYE-sin
Treats infections caused by bacteria. This medicine is an antibiotic.
Drug classes
Antitubercular (About this – PubMed Health)
Uses
Uses of This Medicine
Kanamycin injection is used to treat serious bacterial infections in many different parts of the body. This medicine is for short-term use only (usually 7 to 10 days).
Kanamycin belongs to the class of medicines known as aminoglycoside antibiotics. It works by killing bacteria or preventing their growth. However, this medicine will not work for colds, flu, or other virus infections.
Kanamycin injection is usually used for serious bacterial infections for which other medicines may not work. However, it may also cause some serious side effects, including damage to your hearing, sense of balance, and kidneys. These side effects may be more likely to occur in elderly patients and newborn infants. You and your doctor should talk about the benefit of this medicine as the risks.
This medicine is to be administered only by or under the immediate supervision of your doctor.
Other uses (PubMed Health)
How To Use
Injectable
Your doctor will prescribe your dose and schedule. This medicine is given through a needle placed in a vein. This medicine can also be given as a shot into one of your muscles.
A nurse or other health provider will give you this medicine.
Take all of the medicine in your prescription to clear up your infection, even if you feel better after the first few doses.
Drugs and Foods to Avoid
Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.
Some medicines can affect how kanamycin works. Tell your doctor if you are using polymyxin B, bacitracin, colistin, amphotericin B, cisplatin, or vancomycin.
Tell your doctor if you are using aminoglycosides, other antibiotics, or diuretics (water pills), such as ethacrynic acid, meralluride sodium, furosemide, sodium mercaptomerin, or mannitol.
When Not To Use
This medicine is not right for everyone. You should not receive it if you had an allergic reaction to kanamycin, or you are pregnant.
Warnings
It is not safe to take this medicine during pregnancy. It could harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant.
Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding, or if you have kidney disease, hearing problems, Parkinson disease, myasthenia gravis, asthma or other breathing problems, or if you had an allergic reaction to a sulfite.
This medicine may cause hearing loss.
Your doctor will do lab tests at regular visits to check on the effects of this medicine. Keep all appointments.
This medicine is not for long-term use.
Possible side effects
Summary More details
Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:
Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing
Decrease in how much or how often you urinate
Dizziness, or a feeling of spinning or constant movement
Eye movements you cannot control
Muscle paralysis
Muscle twitching or seizures
Ringing or roaring sound in your ears, or other hearing changes
Skin numbness or tingling
Trouble breathing
If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:
Pain where the shot was given
If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
More side effects of this drug
Brand names include
Kantrex
There may be other brand names for this medicine.