Kanamycin (kan-a-MYE-sin)

Treats infections caused by bacteria. This medicine is an antibiotic.

Brand Name(s):

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used:

How to Use This Medicine:

Injectable

• Your doctor will prescribe your dose and schedule. This medicine is given through a needle placed in a vein. This medicine can also be given as a shot into one of your muscles.
• A nurse or other health provider will give you this medicine.
• Take all of the medicine in your prescription to clear up your infection, even if you feel better after the first few doses.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid:

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

• Some medicines can affect how kanamycin works. Tell your doctor if you are using polymyxin B, bacitracin, colistin, amphotericin B, cisplatin, or vancomycin.
• Tell your doctor if you are using aminoglycosides, other antibiotics, or diuretics (water pills), such as ethacrynic acid, meralluride sodium, furosemide, sodium mercaptomerin, or mannitol.

Warnings While Using This Medicine:

• It is not safe to take this medicine during pregnancy. It could harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant.
• Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding, or if you have kidney disease, hearing problems, Parkinson disease, myasthenia gravis, asthma or other breathing problems, or if you had an allergic reaction to a sulfite.
• This medicine may cause hearing loss.
• Your doctor will do lab tests at regular visits to check on the effects of this medicine. Keep all appointments.
• This medicine is not for long-term use.

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine:

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

• Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing
• Decrease in how much or how often you urinate
• Dizziness, or a feeling of spinning or constant movement
• Eye movements you cannot control
• Muscle paralysis
• Muscle twitching or seizures
• Ringing or roaring sound in your ears, or other hearing changes
• Skin numbness or tingling
• Trouble breathing

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

• Pain where the shot was given

If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor

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