KANAMYCIN (Oral)?
Some commonly used brand names are:
In the U.S.?
? Not commercially available in Canada.
Category
- Bowel preparation, preoperative, adjunct
- Hepatic encephalopathy therapy adjunct
Description
Oral kanamycin (kan-a-MYE-sin) belongs to the familyof medicines called antibiotics. It is used before surgery affecting the bowelto help prevent infection during surgery.
Kanamycin is available only with your doctor's prescription, in the followingdosage form:
Before Using This Medicine
In deciding to use a medicine,the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it willdo. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For oral kanamycin,the following should be considered:
Allergies?Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual orallergic reaction to oral kanamycin or to any related antibiotics such asamikacin (e.g., Amikin), gentamicin (e.g., Garamycin), kanamycin by injection(e.g., Kantrex), neomycin (e.g., Mycifradin), netilmicin (e.g., Netromycin),streptomycin, or tobramycin (e.g., Nebcin). Also tell your health care professionalif you are allergic to any other substances, such as foods, preservatives,or dyes.
Pregnancy?Oral kanamycin has not been reported to cause birthdefects or other problems in humans.
Breast-feeding?Oral kanamycin has not been reported to cause problemsin nursing babies.
Children?Although there is no specific information comparinguse of oral kanamycin in children with use in other age groups, this medicineis not expected to cause different side effects or problems in children thanit does in adults.
Older adults?Many medicines have not been studied specificallyin older people. Therefore, it may not be known whether they work exactlythe same way they do in younger adults or if they cause different side effectsor problems in older people. There is no specific information comparing useof oral kanamycin in the elderly with use in other age groups.
Other medicines?Although certain medicines should not be usedtogether at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used togethereven if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want tochange the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. Tell your health careprofessional if you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter[OTC]) medicine.
Other medical problems?The presence of other medicalproblems may affect the use of oral kanamycin. Make sure you tell your doctorif you have any other medical problems, especially:
- Blockage of the bowel?Oral kanamycin should never be used inpatients who have a blockage of the bowel
- Eighth-cranial-nerve disease (loss of hearing and/or balance)?Useof oral kanamycin may increase problems related to hearing and/or balance
- Kidney disease or
- Ulcers of the bowel?Use of kanamycin in patients with eithercondition may cause an increase in side effects
Proper Use of This Medicine
This medicinemay be taken on a full or empty stomach.
Keep taking this medicine for the full time of treatment.Do not miss any doses.
Dosing?The dose of oral kanamycin will be differentfor different patients. Follow your doctor's orders orthe directions on the label. The following information includes onlythe average doses of oral kanamycin. If your dose isdifferent, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.
- For oral dosage form (capsule):
- For patients in a coma from liver disease:
- Adults and children?2 to 3 grams every six hours.
- For cleaning the bowel before surgery:
- Adults and children?1 gram every hour for four hours; then,1 gram every six hours for thirty-six to seventy-two hours.
Missed dose?For patients taking oral kanamycinbefore any surgery affecting the bowel:
- If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible.However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose andgo back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.
Storage?To store this medicine:
- Keep out of the reach of children.
- Store away from heat and direct light.
- Do not store in the bathroom, near the kitchen sink, or in otherdamp places. Heat and moisture may cause the medicine to break down.
- Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed. Be surethat any discarded medicine is out of the reach of children.
Side Effects of This Medicine
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwantedeffects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occurthey may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor immediately if any ofthe following side effects occur:
Rare?with long-term use and high doses
Any loss of hearing; clumsiness; dizziness; greatly decreased frequencyof urination or amount of urine; increased thirst; ringing or buzzing or a feeling of fullness inthe ears; unsteadiness
Other side effects may occurthat usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go awayduring treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. However, check withyour doctor if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome:
Rare?with prolonged treatment
Increased amount of gas; light-colored, frothy, fatty-appearingstools
Other side effectsnot listed above may also occur in some patients. If you notice any othereffects, check with your doctor.
Revised: 03/17/1994
