Skip to content

Drug interactions

Amikacin + Cyclosporine

Severity: Major

Amikacin and Cyclosporine: major interaction.

Last updated

For healthcare professionals — reference only. This page is a brief summary, not medical advice and not a substitute for official labeling or clinical judgement. Always verify before prescribing or dispensing.

Summary

Both drugs are nephrotoxic, and their combination increases the incidence of acute kidney injury. Reduced renal function can in turn raise aminoglycoside concentrations and ototoxicity risk.

What this interaction means in plain words

Amikacin and Cyclosporine can interact in a way that may be serious. Using them together is sometimes necessary, but it needs a deliberate decision by the prescriber, a plan for monitoring, and clear advice on the warning signs to watch for.

Evidence level: High

Why it happens

Additive nephrotoxicity via tubular injury and cyclosporine-induced renal vasoconstriction.

What to do

Avoid if an alternative antibiotic exists. If used, monitor serum creatinine, amikacin trough levels and cyclosporine concentrations frequently and adjust doses.

What to ask your pharmacist

  • Does the benefit of taking both outweigh the risk in my case?
  • Do I need any blood test, ECG or other check while on both?
  • What early warning signs should I watch for, and what should I do if they appear?

Bring a full list of your medicines, including over-the-counter products, supplements and herbal remedies, to every pharmacy visit.

Pro+ members

Unlock the full page

Create an account and start a Pro+ trial to unlock the full management advice for Amikacin and Cyclosporine, the additional notes, the evidence detail and the whole-prescription interaction checker.

  • Full clinical management advice
  • Additional notes
  • Evidence detail
  • Interaction checker for a whole prescription

Try Pro+ free for 14 days on the web. No card needed.

Frequently asked questions

Can I take Amikacin with Cyclosporine?

MediHelp rates the interaction as major. Amikacin and Cyclosporine can interact in a way that may be serious. Using them together is sometimes necessary, but it needs a deliberate decision by the prescriber, a plan for monitoring, and clear advice on the warning signs to watch for. Both drugs are nephrotoxic, and their combination increases the incidence of acute kidney injury. Reduced renal function can in turn raise aminoglycoside concentrations and ototoxicity risk.

How serious is the interaction between Amikacin and Cyclosporine?

MediHelp rates it major, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Avoid if an alternative antibiotic exists. If used, monitor serum creatinine, amikacin trough levels and cyclosporine concentrations frequently and adjust doses.

What other medicines interact with Amikacin?

MediHelp also lists interactions of Amikacin with, for example, Cidofovir, Adefovir, Amphotericin b. The full list is on the Amikacin page.

Full monographs, dosing and an interaction checker in the MediHelp app

Open the complete reference, check multi-drug interactions and use dosing tools in the MediHelp app.

Browse A–Z · Drug interactions

Get the app Sign in