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SickKids

Amikacin, plasma or serum

Lab area
Clinical Biochemistry - TDM & Toxicology
Method and equipment
Abbott Architect ci4100
Expected turn-around time
Stat: 2 hours Urgent/ Routine: 2 hours
Specimen type

Serum, Plasma (Heparin or Citrate)

Specimen requirements

150 uL

Storage and transportation

4°C (transport with a cool pack if possible)

Shipping information
The Hospital for Sick Children
Rapid Response Laboratory
555 University Avenue, Room 3642
Toronto, ON
Canada
M5G 1X8
Phone: 416-813-7200
Toll Free: 1-855-381-3212
Hours: 7 days/week, 24 hours/day
Background and clinical significance

Amikacin is indicated in the short term treatment of serious gram negative infections (Pseudomonas, Escherichia coli). It is particularly useful with those strains resistant to most other aminoglycosides of choice when gentamicin resistance is suspected.

As with other aminoglycosides, there is a narrow margin between therapeutic effectiveness and toxicity. Amikacin should be used with caution in patients with impaired renal function. 

Toxic side effects may include: ototoxicity (hearing loss), neuromuscular blockage (muscle paralysis) and nephrotoxicity.

Disease condition

Antibiotic

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