Penicillin V with Amikacin Interaction Details
Brand Names Associated with Amikacin
- Amikacin Injection
- Amikin®
Medical Content Editor Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD
Last updated
Jan 04, 2024
Interaction Effect
Loss of aminoglycoside efficacy
Interaction Summary
Concomitant penicillin and aminoglycoside therapy has been reported to result in inactivation of the aminoglycoside both in vivo and in vitro. Amikacin appears to possess the greatest stability in the presence of penicillins; the half-life of amikacin is minimally affected by the presence of carbenicillin. It appears that, in the treatment of severely ill patients requiring both penicillin and aminoglycoside therapy, amikacin is the aminoglycoside of choice.
Severity
Minor
Onset
Rapid
Evidence
Probable
How To Manage Interaction
Monitor patients for aminoglycoside effectiveness.
Mechanism Of Interaction
Chemical inactivation of the aminoglycoside
Literature Reports
A) Although penicillins and aminoglycosides are often used in combination for their synergistic effect, a number of reports have shown that a high penicillin to aminoglycoside ratio (greater than 50:1) for a prolonged period of time results in chemical inactivation of both compounds . This seems to occur in vitro when both drugs are physically mixed together, and in vivo in patients with poor renal function where renal excretion of the drugs is delayed.
Amikacin Overview
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Amikacin injection is used to treat certain serious infections that are caused by bacteria such as meningitis (infection of the membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord) and infections of the blood, abdomen (stomach area), lungs, skin, bones, joints, and urinary tract. Amikacin injection is in a class of medications called aminoglycoside antibiotics. It works by killing bacteria.
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Antibiotics such as amikacin injection will not work for colds, flu, or other viral infections. Taking antibiotics when they are not needed increases your risk of getting an infection later that resists antibiotic treatment.
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Definitions
Severity Categories
Contraindicated
These drugs, generally, should not be used together simultaneously due to the high risk of severe adverse effects. Combining these medications can lead to dangerous health outcomes and should be strictly avoided unless otherwise instructed by your provider.
Major
This interaction could result in very serious and potentially life-threatening consequences. If you are taking this drug combination, it is very important to be under close medical supervision to minimize severe side effects and ensure your safety. It may be necessary to change a medication or dosage to prevent harm.
Moderate
This interaction has the potential to worsen your medical condition or alter the effectiveness of your treatment. It's important that you are monitored closely and you potentially may need to make adjustments in your treatment plan or drug dosage to maintain optimal health.
Minor
While this interaction is unlikely to cause significant problems, it could intensify side effects or reduce the effectiveness of one or both medications. Monitoring for changes in symptoms and your condition is recommended, and adjustments may be made if needed to manage any increased or more pronounced side effects.
Onset
Rapid: Onset of drug interaction typically occurs within 24 hours of co-administration.
Delayed: Onset of drug interaction typically occurs more than 24 hours after co-administration.
Evidence
Level of documentation of the interaction.
Established: The interaction is documented and substantiated in peer-reviewed medical literature.
Theoretical: This interaction is not fully supported by current medical evidence or well-documented sources, but it is based on known drug mechanisms, drug effects, and other relevant information.
How To Manage The Interaction
Provides a detailed discussion on how patients and clinicians can approach the identified drug interaction as well as offers guidance on what to expect and strategies to potentially mitigate the effects of the interaction. This may include recommendations on adjusting medication dosages, altering the timing of drug administration, or closely monitoring for specific symptoms.
It's important to note that all medical situations are unique, and management approaches should be tailored to individual circumstances. Patients should always consult their healthcare provider for personalized advice and guidance on managing drug interactions effectively.
Mechanism Of Interaction
The theorized or clinically determined reason (i.e., mechanism) why the drug-drug interaction occurs.
Disclaimer: The information provided on this page is for informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional regarding your specific circumstances and medical conditions.
Where Does Our Information Come From?
Information for our drug interactions is compiled from several drug compendia, including:
The prescribing information for each drug, as published on DailyMED, is also used.
Individual drug-drug interaction detail pages contain references specific to that interaction. You can click on the reference number within brackets '[]' to see what reference was utilized.
The information posted is fact-checked by HelloPharmacist clinicians and reviewed quarterly.