Kanamycin (Injection)

Kanamycin injection is used to treat serious bacterial infections in various parts of the body. This medicine is meant for short-term use only (usually 7 to 10 days).

Kanamycin belongs to the class of medicines called aminoglycoside antibiotics. It works by killing bacteria or stopping their growth. However, this medicine will not work for colds, flu, or other viral infections.

Kanamycin injection is usually used for serious bacterial infections that other medicines may not treat effectively. However, it can also lead to serious side effects, such as damage to your hearing, sense of balance, and kidneys. These side effects may be more likely in elderly patients and newborn infants. You and your doctor should discuss the benefits of this medicine against the risks.

This medicine must be given only by or under the immediate supervision of your doctor.

Your doctor will closely monitor how you or your child are doing while receiving this medicine. This will help your doctor determine if the medicine is effective and if you or your child should continue taking it. Blood, urine, hearing, and nerve tests may be needed to check for side effects.

If your or your child's symptoms do not improve within a few days, or if they get worse, contact your doctor.

Using this medicine during pregnancy can harm your unborn baby. Use effective birth control to prevent pregnancy. If you think you may be pregnant while using this medicine, inform your doctor immediately.

This medicine can cause serious allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis, which can be life-threatening and needs immediate medical attention. Call your doctor right away if you or your child experience itching; hives; hoarseness; shortness of breath; trouble breathing; trouble swallowing; or any swelling of your hands, face, or mouth after receiving this medicine.

Stop using this medicine and contact your doctor immediately if you or your child experience a sudden decrease in hearing or loss of hearing, which may come with dizziness and ringing in the ears. Let your doctor know if you or your child have dizziness or lightheadedness; a feeling of constant movement of self or surroundings; or a sensation of spinning. These may indicate damage to your hearing or balance.

Inform your doctor right away if you have difficulty using your muscles or trouble breathing while receiving this medicine.

Contact your doctor immediately if you or your child have blood in the urine, changes in how often you urinate or the amount of urine, difficulty breathing, drowsiness, increased thirst, loss of appetite, nausea or vomiting, swelling of feet or lower legs, or weakness. These may be signs of a serious kidney issue.

Do not take other medicines unless you have discussed them with your doctor. This includes prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines and herbal or vitamin supplements.

In deciding to use a medicine, you and your doctor must consider the risks of taking it versus the benefits it may provide. Here are some important points to think about:

Allergies

Inform your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also, let your healthcare professional know if you have any other allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Pediatric

Studies conducted so far have not shown any specific issues in children that would limit the use of kanamycin injection. However, this medicine should be used carefully in premature and newborn infants.

Geriatric

There is no information on how age affects the use of kanamycin injection in older patients. However, elderly patients are more likely to have kidney issues, which may require caution and a dose adjustment for those receiving kanamycin injection.

Breast Feeding

Research in women suggests that this medicine poses minimal risk to the infant when used during breastfeeding.

Interactions with Medicines

Some medicines should never be used together, while in other cases, two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction is possible. In such cases, your doctor may want to adjust the dose or take other precautions. When you are receiving this medicine, it is especially important for your healthcare professional to know if you are taking any of the following medicines. The following interactions have been chosen based on their possible significance and do not include all possible interactions.

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may choose not to treat you with this medicine or may change some of the other medicines you are taking.

• Ataluren

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be necessary in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed, your doctor may adjust the dose or how often you take one or both of the medicines.

• Alcuronium
• Ascorbic Acid
• Aspirin
• Atracurium
• Cholera Vaccine, Live
• Cidofovir
• Cisatracurium
• Colistimethate Sodium
• Decamethonium
• Doxacurium
• Emtricitabine
• Ethacrynic Acid
• Fazadinium
• Foscarnet
• Furosemide
• Gallamine
• Hexafluorenium
• Lysine
• Metocurine
• Mivacurium
• Pancuronium
• Pipecuronium
• Rapacuronium
• Rocuronium
• Succinylcholine
• Tacrolimus
• Tenofovir Alafenamide
• Tubocurarine
• Vecuronium

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may increase the risk of certain side effects, but taking both medicines may be the best option for you. If both medicines are prescribed, your doctor may adjust the dose or how often you take one or both of the medicines.

• Bumetanide

Interactions with Food/Tobacco/Alcohol

Some medicines should not be used around the time of eating food or certain types of food because interactions may occur. Drinking alcohol or using tobacco with some medicines may also lead to interactions. Talk to your healthcare professional about using your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

Other Medical Problems

Other medical issues may affect how this medicine works. Be sure to inform your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

• Asthma or
• A history of sulfite allergy—This medicine contains sodium bisulfite, which may cause an allergic reaction in these patients.

• Severe kidney disease or
• Muscle issues (e.g., infant botulism) or
• Myasthenia gravis (severe muscle weakness) or
• Nerve issues or
• Parkinson's disease—Use with caution. This may worsen these conditions.

• Kidney disease—Use with caution. The effects may be stronger due to slower removal of this medicine from the body.

Along with its necessary effects, a medicine can cause some unwanted effects. Not all of these side effects may happen, but if they do, you might need medical help.

Check with your doctor or nurse right away if any of the following side effects occur:

Incidence not known

• Agitation
• black, tarry stools
• bloody or cloudy urine
• bluish lips or skin
• blurred vision
• burning, crawling, itching, numbness, prickling, "pins and needles", or tingling feelings
• chest pain
• chills
• coma
• confusion
• ongoing ringing or buzzing or other unexplained noise in the ears
• cough
• decreased urine output
• depression
• difficulty breathing
• difficulty moving
• dizziness or lightheadedness
• dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position
• drowsiness
• dry mouth
• feeling of constant movement of yourself or your surroundings
• feeling of fullness in the ears
• fever
• headache
• irritability
• lethargy
• loss of balance
• loss or change in hearing
• muscle pain or stiffness
• muscle twitching
• nausea
• not breathing
• pain in lower back or side
• pain in the joints
• painful or difficult urination
• pale skin
• rapid weight gain
• seizures
• sensation of spinning
• shakiness in the legs, arms, hands, or feet
• shortness of breath
• sore throat
• sores, ulcers, or white spots on the lips or in the mouth
• stupor
• sweating
• swelling of the face, ankles, or hands
• swollen glands
• thirst
• trembling or shaking of the hands or feet
• trouble hearing
• troubled breathing with exertion
• uncontrolled eye movements
• unusual bleeding or bruising
• unusual tiredness or weakness

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body gets used to the medicine. Your health care professional may also have ways to prevent or lessen some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue, are bothersome, or if you have any questions about them:

Incidence not known

• Diarrhea
• increased gas
• light-colored, frothy, or fatty-looking stools
• skin rash
• sudden weight loss
• vomiting

Other side effects not listed may also happen in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You can report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

In the U.S.

• Kantrex

Chemical Class: Aminoglycoside

A nurse or other trained health professional will give you this medicine. This medicine is given as a shot into a muscle or into a vein.

To help clear up your infection completely, keep using this medicine for the full time of treatment, even if you begin to feel better after a few days. Also, this medicine works best when there is a constant amount in the blood. To help keep the amount constant, you must receive this medicine on a regular schedule.

To keep your kidneys working well and help prevent kidney problems, drink extra fluids so you will pass more urine while you or your child are receiving this medicine.