At a glance
Kanamycin is an aminoglycoside antibiotic used for serious bacterial infections including urinary tract infections, bone and joint infections, pneumonia, and resistant tuberculosis.
Indications
- Serious bacterial infections (urinary tract, bone and joint, lungs, blood)
- Resistant tuberculosis (TB)
Dosage
Adult Dose (IV/IM):
- 5-7.5 mg/kg/dose divided q8-12hr; max 15 mg/kg/day
- Aerosol: 250 mg q6-12hr by nebulization
Renal Dose:
- CrCl 50-80 mL/min: 60-90% of usual dose or q8-12hr
- CrCl 10-50 mL/min: 30-70% of usual dose or q12hr
- CrCl <10 mL/min: 20-30% of usual dose or q24-48hr
Child Dose: Safety and efficacy not established
Side effects
Common Side Effects:
- Hearing loss (ototoxicity)
- Balance disorder (vestibular toxicity)
- Injection site pain
- Renal impairment (nephrotoxicity)
Others: Hypersensitivity reactions (fever, pruritus, exanthema, eosinophilia, angioedema, contact dermatitis, urticaria)
Precautions & warnings
Precautions:
- Kanamycin may decrease alertness and cause dizziness; do not drive if these symptoms occur
- Regular blood, urine, or hearing tests required
- Adequate hydration before and during treatment
- Not recommended during pregnancy
- Discontinue immediately if rash, itching, facial swelling, or breathing difficulty occurs
⚠️ This information is for educational purposes only — not a substitute for medical advice. Consult a registered physician before taking any medicine.