What is kanamycin?
Kanamycin is in a group of drugs called aminoglycosides (a-MEEN-oh-GLY-koe-sides). It fights bacteria in the body.
Kanamycin is used to treat serious infections caused by bacteria.
Kanamycin may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What is the most important information I should know about kanamycin?
Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are pregnant. It could harm the unborn baby. Use effective birth control, and tell your doctor if you become pregnant during treatment.
You should not use this medication if you are allergic to kanamycin or any other type of aminoglycoside, including amikacin (Amikin), gentamicin (Garamycin), neomycin (Mycifradin, Neo-Fradin, (Neo-Tab), netilmicin (Netromycin), paromomycin (Humatin, Paromycin), streptomycin, or tobramycin (Nebcin, Tobi).
Before using kanamycin, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have kidney disease, asthma or sulfite allergy, or a muscle disorder such as myasthenia gravis.
To be sure this medication is not causing harmful effects, your kidney function will need to be tested on a regular basis. Your hearing may also need to be checked. Do not miss any scheduled appointments.
Use this medication for the full prescribed length of time. Your symptoms may improve before the infection is completely cleared. Kanamycin will not treat a viral infection such as the common cold or flu.
Stop using this medicine if you have a serious side effect such as hearing loss, ringing in your ears, spinning sensation, problems with balance, numbness or tingling, muscle twitching, seizure (convulsions), or urinating less than usual or not at all.
What should I discuss with my health care provider before using kanamycin?
You should not use this medication if you are allergic to kanamycin or any other type of aminoglycoside, including:
amikacin (Amikin),
gentamicin (Garamycin),
neomycin (Mycifradin, Neo-Fradin, Neo-Tab),
netilmicin (Netromycin),
paromomycin (Humatin, Paromycin),
streptomycin, or
tobramycin (Nebcin, Tobi).
Before using kanamycin, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have:
If you have any of these conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely use kanamycin.
FDA pregnancy category D. This medication can cause harm to an unborn baby. Do not use kanamycin without telling your doctor if you are pregnant. It could harm the unborn baby. Use effective birth control, and tell your doctor if you become pregnant during treatment.
Kanamycin can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.