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

Requisition

Amikacin, plasma or serum - requisition

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