Amikacin Sulfate and Bayrab

• Generic Name: amikacin
• Dosage Forms: n.a.
• Other Brand Names: Amikin, Amikin Pediatric

Treatment of serious bone and joint infections caused by susceptible gram-negative bacteria.

Treatment of serious intra-abdominal infections (including peritonitis) caused by susceptible gram-negative bacteria. Used as an adjunct to other appropriate anti-infectives (e.g., clindamycin, metronidazole, piperacillin and tazobactam, ampicillin and sulbactam).

Treatment of meningitis caused by susceptible gram-negative bacteria.

Aminoglycosides should not be used alone for treatment of meningitis; usually used as an adjunct to other anti-infectives in initial treatment.

Used in conjunction with ampicillin for initial empiric treatment of neonatal S. agalactiae meningitis or for Listeria monocytogenes meningitis in children. Used in conjunction with a third-generation cephalosporin for neonatal gram-negative bacterial meningitis, including infections caused by E. coli. Has been used concomitantly with imipenem in adults for treatment of meningitis caused by E. coli, concomitantly with meropenem for treatment of meningitis caused by Pseudomonas, or concomitantly with imipenem or colistin (commercially available as colistimethate sodium) for treatment of meningitis caused by Acinetobacter.

Treatment of serious respiratory tract infections caused by susceptible gram-negative bacteria.

Used as an adjunct to an appropriate β-lactam (e.g., ceftriaxone, cefotaxime, cefepime, piperacillin and tazobactam, ticarcillin and clavulanate) or carbapenem (e.g., imipenem, meropenem) for empiric treatment of nosocomial pneumonia.

Treatment of septicemia caused by susceptible gram-negative bacteria.

Used as an adjunct to an appropriate β-lactam (e.g., ceftriaxone, cefotaxime, cefepime, piperacillin and tazobactam, ticarcillin and clavulanate) or carbapenem (e.g., imipenem, meropenem) for empiric treatment of life-threatening septicemia.

Treatment of serious skin and skin structure infections caused by susceptible gram-negative bacteria.

Treatment of serious complicated and recurrent UTIs caused by susceptible gram-negative bacteria, including Enterobacteriaceae or Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Used as an adjunct to other appropriate anti-infectives.

Not indicated for uncomplicated UTIs unless causative organism is resistant to other less-toxic alternatives.

Second-line agent for use in multiple-drug regimens for treatment of active tuberculosis in patients with relapse, treatment failure, or Mycobacterium tuberculosis resistant to isoniazid and/or rifampin or when first-line drugs cannot be tolerated.

Alternative for use in multiple-drug regimens for treatment of M. avium complex (MAC) infections.

Treatment of nonpulmonary infections caused by M. abscessus, M. chelonae, or M. fortuitum.

Treatment of infections caused by Nocardia.

Sulfonamides (usually co-trimoxazole) are treatment of choice for most Nocardia infections; concomitant use of amikacin, imipenem, and/or ceftriaxone recommended for initial treatment of severe or disseminated infections. When sulfonamides cannot be used, regimens containing amikacin, a carbapenem (imipenem or meropenem), a third-generation cephalosporin (ceftriaxone), a tetracycline (doxycycline, minocycline), fixed combination of amoxicillin and clavulanate, clarithromycin, cycloserine, or linezolid are recommended.

Treatment of infections caused by Rhodococcus equi.

Empiric anti-infective therapy of presumed bacterial infections in febrile neutropenic patients. Used in conjunction with an appropriate antipseudomonal cephalosporin (e.g., ceftazidime, ceftriaxone, cefepime), extended-spectrum penicillin (e.g., piperacillin and tazobactam, ticarcillin and clavulanate), or carbapenem (e.g., imipenem, meropenem).

Consult published protocols for the treatment of infections in febrile neutropenic patients for specific recommendations regarding selection of the initial empiric regimen, when to change the initial regimen, possible subsequent regimens, and duration of therapy in these patients. Consultation with an infectious disease expert knowledgeable about infections in immunocompromised patients also is advised.

• Generic Name: rabies immune globulin, human
• Dosage Forms: n.a.
• Other Brand Names: Bayrab, HyperRAB, Imogam Rabies-HT, Kedrab

Rabies immune globulin is used together with rabies vaccine to prevent infection caused by the rabies virus. It works by giving your body the antibodies it needs to protect it against the rabies virus. This is called passive protection. This passive protection lasts long enough to protect your body until it can produce its own antibodies against the rabies virus.

Rabies immune globulin is given to persons who have been exposed (eg, by a bite, scratch, or lick) to an animal that is known or thought to have rabies. This is called post-exposure prophylaxis. Rabies immune globulin is used only in persons who have never before received the rabies vaccine.

Rabies infection is serious and often fatal. In the U.S., rabies in wild animals, especially raccoons, skunks, and bats, accounts for the most cases of rabies passed on to humans, pets, and other domestic animals. In Canada, the animals most often infected with rabies are foxes, skunks, bats, dogs, and cats. Horses, swine, and cattle have also been known to become infected with rabies. In much of the rest of the world, including Latin America, Africa, and Asia, dogs account for the most cases of rabies passed on to humans.

If you are being (or will be) treated for a possible rabies infection while traveling outside of the U.S. or Canada, contact your doctor as soon as you return to the U.S. or Canada, since it may be necessary for you to have additional treatment.

This medicine is to be given only by or under the supervision of your doctor or other health care professional.