Aminoglycosides (Amikacin, Gentamicin, and Tobramycin)

What are aminoglycosides?

Aminoglycosides are a group of antibiotics used to treat bacterial infections. They come in an injection form.

Before aminoglycosides are given to your child

Tell your child's doctor if your child has had an unusual or allergic reaction to an aminoglycoside antibiotic or any other medicine.

Talk with your child's doctor or pharmacist if your child has any of the following conditions. Precautions may need to be taken with these medicines if your child has:

• any kidney problems
• any problems with their sense of balance and/or hearing
• myasthenia gravis, an immune disease that causes severe muscle weakness

How are aminoglycosides given to your child?

• A nurse will give the aminoglycoside by needle into your child's vein (intravenously) in the hospital. If your child has a central venous catheter (port, PICC, CVC, central line), the aminoglycoside will likely be given through this catheter. If your child gets this medicine at home, a nurse will come to your home to give it.
• Aminoglycoside antibiotics may be given once a day (every 24 hours) or several times a day (for example, every 8 or 12 hours). Sometimes they are given only every day and a half (every 36 hours) or even less often (once every 2 or more days).

What are the possible side effects of aminoglycosides?

Your child may have some side effects while they receive an aminoglycoside. Some side effects are more likely to occur in premature and newborn babies.

Check with your child's doctor if your child continues to have any of these side effects, if they do not go away, or if they bother your child:

• upset stomach
• throwing up
• loss of appetite

Most of the following side effects are not common, but they may be a sign of a serious problem. These side effects may occur even after your child has completed treatment. Let your child's doctor or nurse know as soon as possible if your child has any of these side effects:

• loss of hearing
• ringing or buzzing in the ears
• feeling of fullness of the ears
• increased thirst
• needing to urinate more or less frequently than usual
• skin rash or itchiness
• unusual drowsiness, dizziness, or weakness
• clumsiness or unsteadiness

Some possible side effects are not common, but they may be a sign of a serious problem. Call your child's doctor right away, or if you are at home, take your child to the Emergency Department if your child has any of these side effects:

• muscle twitching
• seizures
• difficulty breathing

What safety measures should you take when your child is using aminoglycosides?

Check with your child's doctor or pharmacist before giving your child any other medicines (prescription, non-prescription, herbal, or natural products).

What other important information should you know about aminoglycosides?

• Your child will need regular blood tests while they are receiving an aminoglycoside. Some of these blood tests will be used to make sure that the aminoglycoside dose is right for your child. Other tests will be used to see if your child's kidneys are being affected by the aminoglycoside. If your child is getting an aminoglycoside at home, keep all appointments at the clinic or doctor's office so that the doctor can check your child's reaction to the aminoglycoside.
• Keep a list of all medications your child is on and show the list to the doctor or pharmacist.
• Do not keep any medicines that are out of date. Check with your pharmacist about the best way to throw away outdated or leftover medicines.
  

Keep aminoglycosides (amikacin, gentamicin, and tobramycin) out of your child’s sight and reach and locked up in a safe place. If your child takes too much aminoglycosides (amikacin, gentamicin, and tobramycin), call your local Poison Information Centre at one of these numbers. These calls are free. 

• Call 1-844 POISON-X, or 1-844-764-7669, from anywhere in Canada except Quebec.
• Call 1-800-463-5060 if you live in Quebec.