Month: January 2023

History of Amikacin

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Drug Discovery
Drug Discovery

Amikacin is an aminoglycoside antibiotic that was first synthesized in 1972 by researchers at the Tokyo-based pharmaceutical company, Sankyo. I have not been able to find the names of the individuals involved in its discovery. It was initially developed as a more potent and less toxic alternative to other aminoglycosides, such as gentamicin and kanamycin. Amikacin was approved for medical use in the United States in 1984 and has since been used to treat a wide range of bacterial infections, including those caused by gram-negative organisms that are resistant to other antibiotics.

I am not aware of any specific controversies related to the discovery of amikacin. However, as with any medication, there have been concerns about the development and use of amikacin. One of the main concerns is the potential for the development of resistance to the antibiotic, which can occur when the drug is overused or misused. This is a common issue with many antibiotics, as bacteria can evolve to become resistant to the drugs designed to kill them. Additionally, amikacin can cause certain side effects, such as hearing loss, kidney damage, and allergic reactions, especially with prolonged use or high doses. It’s important to use antibiotics like Amikacin only when it is really necessary and under the guidance of a healthcare professional.

Amikacin was first approved for medical use in the United States by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1984. It was licensed for the treatment of serious infections caused by gram-negative bacteria that are resistant to other antibiotics. It was also made available and used in other countries including the United Kingdom around the same time or shortly after. Since then, it has been used in the treatment of a wide range of bacterial infections, and is still available by prescription today.

According to the BNF, amikacin is an aminoglycoside antibiotic that is used to treat serious infections caused by gram-negative bacteria, particularly those that are resistant to other antibiotics. It is usually given by injection or infusion into a vein, and is usually reserved for use in hospital-acquired infections or for patients who are unable to take other types of antibiotics. The BNF also states that amikacin should be used with caution in patients with kidney or hearing problems, and that regular monitoring of blood and urine tests is required to check for side effects.

NICE guidelines recommend that amikacin should be used as a second-line treatment after less toxic antibiotics have been tried. It should be prescribed only by healthcare professionals who have experience in the use of aminoglycosides, and only when the infecting organism has been identified and found to be sensitive to amikacin. The guidelines also recommend that regular monitoring of blood and urine tests is required to check for side effects, particularly kidney and ear toxicity.

 

History of Gentamicin

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Gentamicin is an aminoglycoside antibiotic that was first discovered in the late 1950s by scientists at the pharmaceutical company Schering Corporation (now part of Merck & Co.). It was first approved for use in the United States in 1963 and has since become a widely used antibiotic for the treatment of a variety of bacterial infections, including those caused by gram-negative bacteria such as Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae. Gentamicin is also used to treat serious infections such as sepsis and meningitis. However, because of the potential for toxicity and the emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, it is now typically used in conjunction with other antibiotics or as a last resort when other options have failed.

The specific individuals who were involved in the discovery of gentamicin have not been widely reported and may not be publicly available. However, it is known that the discovery was made by a team of scientists working in the company’s laboratories.

I could not find any specific controversy related to the discovery of gentamicin. It is a widely used antibiotic and was approved for use in the United States in 1963. However, as with any drug, there have been concerns and controversies related to the use of gentamicin. For example, gentamicin is known to cause toxicity in the kidneys and ears, which can lead to hearing loss and kidney damage. This has led to the development of guidelines for the use of gentamicin in order to minimize these side effects. Additionally, the overuse and misuse of gentamicin and other antibiotics has contributed to the emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, which is a major public health concern.

It is available both as a generic drug and under various brand names. Because of its efficacy against a wide range of bacterial infections, it is included in the World Health Organization’s List of Essential Medicines, which is a list of the most important medication needed in a basic health system. Therefore, it is likely to be licensed and available in most countries that have a functioning healthcare system.

Gentamicin was first licensed for use in the UK in the early 1960s. The drug was first approved by the British National Formulary (BNF) in 1968. The BNF is a reference book that contains information on the use of drugs in the UK, and is updated regularly by the British Medical Association and the Royal Pharmaceutical Society.

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) in UK provides guidelines on the use of gentamicin. According to the current NICE guidelines, gentamicin should be used in combination with other antibiotics, rather than as monotherapy, in order to minimize the risk of antibiotic resistance. NICE recommends that gentamicin should be used for the treatment of serious infections such as sepsis and meningitis, and as a last resort when other options have failed.

NICE also recommends that blood levels of gentamicin should be monitored in patients who are at increased risk of toxicity, such as those with kidney impairment or the elderly. They also recommend that the duration of treatment should be as short as possible and the lowest possible dose should be used to minimize the risk of adverse effects.

It is important to note that NICE guidelines are subject to review and updates, so it’s always good to check the most recent version of the guidelines