Amikacin Oral Inhalation
Amikacin oral inhalation may cause serious lung problems, including bronchospasm (breathing difficulties), allergic lung reactions, coughing up blood, and worsening of existing lung disease. Tell your doctor if you have or have ever had asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD; a group of lung diseases that includes chronic bronchitis and emphysema), shortness of breath or wheezing, or other lung problems. If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately: coughing, wheezing, or chest tightness during or after inhalation; difficulty, fast, or noisy breathing; shortness of breath; fever; or coughing up blood.
Your doctor or pharmacist will give you the manufacturer’s patient information sheet (Medication Guide) when you begin treatment with amikacin oral inhalation and each time you refill your prescription. Read the information carefully and ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions. You can also visit the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) website (http://www.fda.gov/Drugs/DrugSafety/ucm085729.htm) or the manufacturer’s website to obtain the Medication Guide.
Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. Your doctor will order certain tests before and during treatment to check your body’s response to amikacin.
🔔 Why is this medication prescribed?
Amikacin oral inhalation is used in combination with other antibiotics to treat Mycobacterium avium complex lung disease (MAC; a bacterial infection that may cause serious symptoms) that has not responded well to other antibiotics. Amikacin is in a class of medications called aminoglycoside antibiotics. It works by killing bacteria.
Antibiotics such as amikacin oral inhalation 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.
🔔 How should this medicine be used?
Amikacin oral inhalation comes as a suspension to inhale by mouth using a special nebulizer (machine that turns medication into a mist that can be inhaled). It is usually inhaled once a day. Use amikacin oral inhalation at around the same time every day. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Use amikacin oral inhalation exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.
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Use amikacin oral inhalation until you finish the prescription, even if you feel better. If you stop using amikacin oral inhalation too soon or skip doses, your infection may not be completely treated and the bacteria may become resistant to antibiotics.
Before you use amikacin inhalation for the first time, carefully read the written instructions that come with it. These instructions describe how to prepare and inhale a dose of amikacin oral inhalation and how to use the nebulizer. Be sure that you understand these directions. Ask your healthcare provider if you have any questions about how to prepare or inhale this medication or how to use or store the nebulizer.
If you are using other inhaled medications, you should talk to your doctor about how you should use them during your treatment with amikacin oral inhalation. Do not use the nebulizer to inhale any other medications.
To inhale the suspension using a nebulizer, follow these steps:
- Remove one vial of amikacin suspension from the refrigerator and allow it to rest for at least 45 minutes so that it can warm to room temperature.
- Shake the vial well for at least 10–15 seconds to mix the medication evenly.
- Flip off the plastic top of the vial, pull the metal ring downward, and then remove the metal ring and rubber stopper from the vial. Pour all of the liquid into the nebulizer reservoir and attach the medication cap.
- Sit in an upright, comfortable position. Place the mouthpiece in your mouth.
- Turn on the controller.
- Make sure you hold the nebulizer handset level and breathe in calmly, normally, and evenly for about 14 to 20 minutes. The controller will beep 2 times when your treatment is over.
Clean your nebulizer regularly. Follow the manufacturer’s directions carefully and ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions about cleaning your nebulizer.
