CSC Pharmaceuticals International

For patients who wear contact lenses:

• Use of ophthalmic corticosteroids while you are wearing contact lenses (either hard lenses or soft lenses) may increase the chance of infection. Therefore, do not apply this medicine while you are wearing contact lenses. Also, check with an ophthalmologist (eye doctor) for advice on how long to wait after applying this medicine before inserting your contact lenses. It is possible that you may be directed not to wear contact lenses at all during the entire time of treatment and for a day or two after treatment has been stopped.

Kanamycin A, often referred to as simple kanamycin, is an antibiotic used to treat severe bacterial infections and tuberculosis.^[1] It is not a first line treatment.^[1] It is used by mouth, injection into a vein, or injection into a muscle.^[1] Kanamycin is recommended for short-term use only, usually from 7 to 10 days.^[1] As with all antibiotics, it is ineffective in viral infections.^[1]

Common side effects include hearing and balance problems.^[1] Kidney problems may also occur.^[1] Kanamycin is not recommended during pregnancy as it may harm the baby.^[1] It is likely safe during breastfeeding.^[2] Kanamycin is in the aminoglycoside family of medications.^[1] It works by blocking the production of proteins that are required for bacterial survival

Kanamycin is indicated for short term treatment of bacterial infections caused by one or more of the following pathogens E. coli, Proteus species (both indole-positive and indole-negative), Enterobacter aerogenes, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Serratia marcescens, and Acinetobacter species. In cases of serious infection when the causative organism is unknown, Kanamycin injection in conjunction with a penicillin- or cephalosporin-type drug may be given initially before obtaining results of susceptibility testing.

Kanamycin does not treat viral infections

It is most commonly used to treat the following:

• lower respiratory tract infections such as pneumonia, whooping cough, diphtheria, and Legionnaires' disease
• sexually transmitted infections such as syphilis and chlamydia
• upper respiratory infections such as sinusitis and pharyngitis
• skin infections (including acne)
• Your doctor may have suggested this medication for conditions other than those listed in these drug information articles. As well, some forms of this medication may not be used for all of the conditions discussed here. If you have not discussed this with your doctor or are not sure why you are taking this medication, speak to your doctor. Do not stop taking this medication without consulting your doctor.