Amikacin Liposome Side Effects

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Mar 28, 2025.

Applies to amikacin liposome: inhalation suspension.

Precautions

It is very important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits to make sure this medicine is working properly. Blood and urine tests may be needed to check for unwanted effects.

If your symptoms do not improve within a few days, or if they become worse, check with your doctor.

This medicine may cause hearing loss in your baby if used during pregnancy. Use an effective form of birth control to keep from getting pregnant during treatment with this medicine. If you think you have become pregnant while using this medicine, tell your doctor right away.

This medicine may cause allergic lung disease or worsen existing breathing problems. Check with your doctor right away if you cough up blood, have difficult, fast, or labored breathing, fever, or chest pain or tightness.

This medicine may cause serious allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis, which can be life-threatening and require immediate medical attention. Call your doctor right away if you have chest tightness, cough, dizziness, fast heartbeat, hives, rash, itching, puffiness or swelling of the eyelids, or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue, trouble breathing or swallowing, or unusual tiredness or weakness while you are using this medicine.

Check with your doctor right away if you have dizziness, feeling of fullness in the ears, loss of balance, loss of hearing, ringing or buzzing in the ears, or trouble in hearing. These may be symptoms of a serious hearing or balance problem.

Check with your doctor right away if you have bloody urine, a decrease in frequency or amount of urine, an increase in blood pressure, increased thirst, loss of appetite, lower back or side pain, nausea, swelling of the face, fingers, or lower legs, trouble breathing, unusual tiredness or weakness, vomiting, or weight gain. These could be symptoms of a serious kidney problem.

Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. This includes prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines and herbal or vitamin supplements.

Serious side effects of amikacin liposome

Along with its needed effects, amikacin liposome may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking amikacin liposome:

Other side effects of amikacin liposome

Some side effects of amikacin liposome may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.

Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

For healthcare professionals

Applies to amikacin liposome: inhalation suspension.

General adverse events

The most commonly reported side effects included dysphonia, cough, bronchospasm, and hemoptysis.^[Ref]

Respiratory

• Very common (10% or more): Dysphonia (up to 47%), cough (up to 39%), bronchospasm (up to 29%), hemoptysis (up to 18%), upper airway irritation (up to 17%), exacerbation of underlying pulmonary disease (up to 15%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Bronchitis, change in sputum, epistaxis, hypersensitivity pneumonitis, pneumonia, pneumothorax, respiratory failure
• Frequency not reported: Acute respiratory failure, allergic alveolitis, aspiration pneumonia, asthma, atypical pneumonia, bronchial hyperreactivity, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) exacerbation, dyspnea, dyspnea exertional, increased sputum, infective exacerbation of bronchiectasis, infective exacerbation of COPD, interstitial lung disease, laryngeal erythema, laryngeal pain, laryngitis, lower respiratory tract infection, lung infection, lung infection pseudomonas, oropharyngeal discomfort, oropharyngeal pain, pharyngeal edema, pharyngeal erythema, pleural effusion infection, productive cough, pneumomediastinum, pneumonia pseudomonas, pneumonitis, prolonged expiration, respiratory tract infection, spontaneous pneumothorax, sputum discolored, throat irritation, throat tightness, upper airway cough syndrome, upper airway inflammation, vocal cord inflammation, wheezing^[Ref]

Other

• Very common (10% or more): Ototoxicity (up to 17%), asthenia (up to 16%), fatigue (up to 16%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Chest discomfort, exercise tolerance decreased, pyrexia
• Frequency not reported: Body ache, deafness, exacerbation of underlying disease, hypoacusis, neurosensory deafness, pain, tinnitus, unilateral deafness^[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

• Very common (10% or more): Diarrhea (up to 13%), nausea (up to 12%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Dry mouth, oral fungal infection, vomiting
• Frequency not reported: Oral candidiasis, post-tussive vomiting^[Ref]

Musculoskeletal

• Very common (10% or more): Musculoskeletal pain (up to 17%)
• Frequency not reported: Arthralgia, back pain, muscle spasm, muscle weakness, myalgia^[Ref]

Nervous system

• Common (1% to 10%): Balance disorder, dysgeusia, headache, neuromuscular disorder
• Frequency not reported: Aphonia, dizziness, neuromuscular blockade, peripheral neuropathy, presyncope, vertigo^[Ref]

Dermatologic

• Common (1% to 10%): Rash
• Frequency not reported: Drug eruption, maculopapular rash, urticaria^[Ref]

Psychiatric

• Common (1% to 10%): Anxiety^[Ref]

Metabolic

• Common (1% to 10%): Decreased weight^[Ref]

Immunologic

• Frequency not reported: Empyema, pseudomonas infection, sputum purulent^[Ref]

Renal

• Frequency not reported: Nephrotoxicity^[Ref]

See also:

Frequently asked questions

• What type of drug is Arikayce?

Further information

Amikacin liposome side effects can vary depending on the individual. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Note: Medication side effects may be underreported. If you are experiencing side effects that are not listed, submit a report to the FDA by following this guide.

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