Advice after your nerve block for surgery
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What is Nebulised Amikacin?
Nebulisers turn medications into fine mists so they can be easily inhaled into the lungs.
Amikacin is an antibiotic which is used to treat respiratory infections caused by mycobacterium abscessus.
This medication can control flare ups of your lung condition meaning you are less likely to need courses of other, oral antibiotics.
Nebulising the medication allows it to directly treat the infection and is much less likely to cause side effects.
How do I take this medication?
It is best to have this treatment after you have cleared your chest of sputum with your physiotherapy airway clearance exercises and taken any inhalers you have been prescribed.
Amikacin should be taken twice daily, ideally 12 hours between doses
How do I store this medication?
Store at room temperature in original packaging.
Equipment you need is:
- 1 vial of amikacin
- Syringe
- Needle
- Yellow sharps bin
- Conventional compressor
- Either of the below nebuliser handsets;
- Aeroeclipse; in breath activated mode.
- PARI LC® PLUS
Instructions
Please note: medication should be nebulised in a well-ventilated room with no other people or pets present.
- Wash your hands
- Gather all the equipment
- Check the expiry date of the amikacin to make sure they are in date
- Flip up the plastic cap on the amikacin vial
- Put the needle onto the syringe
- Pierce the rubber bung on top of the amikacin vial with the needle and draw up 2ml of amikacin
- Remove the needle and dispose of in the yellow sharps bin
- Syringe the medication into the nebuliser handset and discard the syringe.
- Ensure the aeroeclipse is set to “breath activated mode” (dotted triangle) if using this handset.
- Turn on the compressor and nebulise the medication as directed
- Once the nebuliser is finished, wash your hands and rinse your month, gargle and spit out the water
Cleaning and replacing the equipment
Once you have finished using the nebuliser, switch off and wipe it down with a damp cloth.
The nebuliser handset needs cleaning after every use and sterilising weekly. We recommend cleaning by rinsing it in soapy water and sterilising in boiling water for five minutes.
Please refer to the manufacturers guidance for further cleaning advice
If using the PARI LC® PLUS the filter pad should be changed after each use.
Replacing the equipment
- Aeroeclipse should be replaced every 6 months
- Filter pads should be discarded after each use
- PARI LC® PLUS should be replaced every year
Side Effects
Sometimes amikacin can lead to unwanted side effects such as:
- A tight feeling in the chest (bronchospasm)
- Joint stiffness
- Balance impairment
- Dryed mouth
- Tiredness
- Weight loss
- Throat Irritation
- Increased sputum production
Using a bronchodilator beforehand can help with some of these side effects.
If you experience any of these, please stop taking the medication and contact your healthcare professional.
Action if missed dose
If you remember with more than 6 hours before your next dose, take the missed dose as soon as possible and resume your usual routine. Otherwise wait for your next dose. Do not take two doses at once to make up for the missed dose.
Cautions and contraindications
Please discuss with your healthcare professional if:
- You or your partner are pregnant, breastfeeding or plan on starting a family.
- You are going to start any new medication not prescribed by your healthcare professional.
How do I dispose of this medication?
Please dispose of unused medication via your local community pharmacy
Once the yellow sharps bin is full, check your local council website as to how to dispose.
Contact us
If you have any queries relating to this information, please contact the Physiotherapy service.
About this information
Service:
Physiotherapy
Reference:
BB/013
Approval date:
15 September 2026
Review date:
1 September 2029
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Important note
This page provides general information only. It is developed by clinical staff and is reviewed regularly every 3 years for accuracy. For personal advice about your health, or if you have any concerns, please speak to your doctor.