Kantrex (Injection)

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

Kanamycin belongs to a group 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 typically used for serious bacterial infections when other medicines may not be effective. 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 happen in elderly patients and newborn infants. You and your doctor should discuss the benefits of this medicine compared to the risks.

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

Your doctor will monitor your progress closely while you or your child are taking this medicine. This will help your doctor to see if the medicine is effective and to decide if you or your child should keep using it. Blood, urine, hearing, and nerve tests may be needed to check for side effects.

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

Using this medicine while pregnant can harm your unborn baby. Use a reliable form of birth control to avoid getting pregnant. If you think you might be pregnant while using this medicine, inform your doctor immediately.

This medicine may cause severe allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis, which can be life-threatening and needs urgent 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 taking this medicine.

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

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

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

Do not take any other medicines unless your doctor has discussed them with you. This includes prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, as well as herbal or vitamin supplements.

In deciding to use a medicine, you and your doctor must weigh the risks against the benefits. Consider the following for this medicine:

Allergies

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

Pediatric

Current studies have not found any specific problems 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 available on how age affects the effects of kanamycin injection in older patients. However, elderly patients are more likely to have kidney issues, which may require caution and a possible dose adjustment for those taking kanamycin injection.

Breast Feeding

Studies suggest that this medication poses minimal risk to infants when used during breastfeeding.

Interactions with Medicines

Some medicines should not be used together, while others can be used together even if interactions might happen. In such cases, your doctor may adjust the dose or take other precautions. It is very important for your healthcare professional to know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below while receiving this medicine. The following interactions are based on their potential significance and are not an exhaustive list.

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with this medication or change some of the other medicines you take.

• 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 frequency of one or both.

• 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 combining both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both are prescribed, your doctor may change the dose or frequency of one or both.

• Bumetanide

Interactions with Food/Tobacco/Alcohol

Some medicines should not be taken around the time of eating food or certain types of food due to potential interactions. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions. Talk to your healthcare professional about using your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

Other Medical Problems

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

• Asthma or
• History of sulfite allergy—This medicine contains sodium bisulfite which may cause an allergic reaction in patients with these conditions.

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

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

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

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
• continuing ringing or buzzing or other unexplained noise in the ears
• cough
• decreased urine output
• depression
• difficulty with breathing
• difficulty with 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 self or 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 with hearing
• troubled breathing with exertion
• uncontrolled eye movements
• unusual bleeding or bruising
• unusual tiredness or weakness

Some side effects may happen that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

Incidence not known

• Diarrhea
• increased amount of gas
• light-colored, frothy, or fatty-appearing stools
• skin rash
• sudden loss of weight
• 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 may 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.