Experimental study of the pharmacological properties of amikacin

: The general toxic and organotropic properties of amikacin were studied in acute and chronic experiments. The antibiotic was administered to the experimental animals in the doses equivalent to the therapeutic ones for humans or exceeding them 2-3 times. No unfavourable effect of amikacin in the above doses on hearing was observed. A certain increase in the level of urea nitrogen in the blood serum and leukopenia were registered only after administration of the highest drug dose exceeding 2 times the equivalent treatment dose of amikacin for humans (15 g). After the use of this dose separate microfocal necrotic lesions were detected morphologically in the proximal tubules of the kidneys. The lesions were of a transitory nature. It is concluded that amikacin has a wide range of therapeutic doses and the level of its safety is rather high.