Kanamycin

Kanamycin is a prescription medication used to treat serious infections caused by bacteria. 

• Kanamycin is available under the following different brand names: Kantrex

Adult dosage

Injectable solution

• 75 mg /2 mL
• 500 mg /2 mL
• 1 g /3 mL

Susceptible Infections

Adult dosage

• Intravenous Administration: 5-7.5 mg/kg/dose divided every 8-12 hours; not to exceed 15 mg/kg/day divided every 6-12 hours; administer slowly  
• Intramuscular Administration: 5-7.5 mg/kg/dose divided every 8-12 hours; not to exceed 15 mg/kg/day Intramuscular divided every 12 hours at equally divided intervals; continuously high blood levels are desired; a daily dose of 15 mg/kg may be given divided every 6-8 hours
• Aerosol: 250 mg every 6-12 hours by nebulization

Dosage Considerations – Should be Given as Follows: 

• See “Dosages”

Common side effects of Kanamycin include:

• skin rash or itching, 
• hives, 
• allergic reaction,
• headache,
• fever,
• nausea, or vomiting.

Serious side effects of Kanamycin include:

• changes in the hearing.
• spinning sensation, problems with balance.
• ringing or roaring sound in the ears.
• numbness or tingling of the skin.
• muscle twitching, seizure (convulsions); or
• urinating less than usual or not at all.

Rare side effects of Kanamycin include:

• none 

Seek medical care or call 911 at once if you have the following serious side effects:

• Severe headache, confusion, slurred speech, arm or leg weakness, trouble walking, loss of coordination, feeling unsteady, very stiff muscles, high fever, profuse sweating, or tremors;
• Serious eye symptoms such as sudden vision loss, blurred vision, tunnel vision, eye pain or swelling, or seeing halos around lights;
• Serious heart symptoms such as fast, irregular, or pounding heartbeats; fluttering in your chest; shortness of breath; sudden dizziness, lightheartedness, or passing out.

This is not a complete list of side effects and other serious side effects or health problems that may occur as a result of the use of this drug. Call your doctor for medical advice about serious side effects or adverse reactions. You may report side effects or health problems to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

If your medical doctor is using this medicine to treat your pain, your doctor or pharmacist may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for them. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with your doctor, health care provider, or pharmacist first.

• Kanamycin has severe interactions with no other drugs.
• Kanamycin has serious interactions with no other drugs.
• Kanamycin has moderate interactions with the following drugs:
• levoketoconazole
  • sodium sulfate/magnesium sulfate/potassium chloride
  • sodium sulfate/potassium sulfate/magnesium sulfate
  • voclosporin
  • warfarin
• Kanamycin has minor interactions with the following drugs:
  • entecavir
  • levoketoconazole

This information does not contain all possible interactions or adverse effects. Visit the RxList Drug Interaction Checker for any drug interactions. Therefore, before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist about all your products. Keep a list of all your medications with you and share this information with your doctor and pharmacist. Check with your health care professional or doctor for additional medical advice, or if you have health questions or concerns.

Contraindications

• Documented hypersensitivity 

Effects of drug abuse

• None

Short-Term Effects

• See “What Are Side Effects Associated with Using Kanamycin?”

Long-Term Effects

• See “What Are Side Effects Associated with Using Kanamycin?”

Cautions

• Auditory toxicity is more common with kanamycin than with streptomycin and capreomycin; monthly audiometry is recommended while patients are being treated with this drug; vestibular toxicity is rare; renal toxicity occurs at a frequency similar to that of capreomycin; regular monitoring of serum creatinine recommended
• Renal impairment
• Myasthenia gravis
• Vestibular/cochlear implant
• Nephrotoxic agents

Pregnancy and Lactation

• Use in LIFE-THREATENING emergencies when no safer drug is available during pregnancy.
• Lactation
  • Usually, compatible