Is Amikacin a controlled substance?

Amikacin is not federally scheduled in the US. Controlled-drug status differs by country — verify your local rules.

Amikacin

US brand names:Amiglyde-V, Amikin

Sourced from published veterinary references. Awaiting credentialed clinical reviewer — our editorial process.

Amikacin is dosed at 5 mg/kg IM q72h in ball pythons, per Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed. Verify against current literature before clinical use.

Drug Class

Antibiotic

Routes

IVIMSC

Indications

Gram-negative infectionsGram-negative infections (Pasteurella)Gram-negative sepsispneumoniaSeptic arthritis (local)Severe gram-negative infections

Mechanism of Action

Irreversibly binds 30S ribosomal subunit, inhibiting bacterial protein synthesis. Concentration-dependent bactericidal activity.

Side effects & warnings

Nephrotoxic and ototoxic. Monitor renal function (BUN, creatinine). Ensure adequate hydration. Avoid concurrent use with other nephrotoxic drugs. Neuromuscular blockade risk.

Species with Amikacin dosing data (10 dose rules)

African Grey Parrot Amazon Parrot Ball Python Cat (Domestic)Dog (Domestic)Guinea Pig Horse (Equine)Rabbit (Domestic)

Species references:All African Grey Parrot drugs All Amazon Parrot drugs All Ball Python drugs All Cat (Domestic) drugs All Dog (Domestic) drugs All Guinea Pig drugs All Horse (Equine) drugs All Rabbit (Domestic) drugs

Evidence levels across 10 dose rules

Strong×4Moderate×4Weak×2

Each ExoticRx dose rule is graded by the strength of its primary evidence — see the editorial process.

Backed by 8 published sources

· Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed
· Gronwall R, Brown MP, Clubb S. Pharmacokinetics of amikacin in African gray parrots. Am J Vet Res. 1989;50:250-252. doi:10.2460/ajvr.1989.50.02.250 — Verified against Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.405 (2026-08-01).
· Mcclure JT, Rosin E. Comparison of amikacin dosing regimens in neutropenic guinea pigs with Escherichia coli infection. Am J Vet Res. 1998;59:750-755. doi:10.2460/ajvr.1998.59.06.750 — Verified against Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.770 (2026-08-01).
· Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 9th Ed
· Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 9th Ed, Amikacin, Systemic, Dosages, printed p.50 (lookup p.77), entry a) under RABBITS: "8 - 16 mg/kg SC, IM, or IV daily dose (may be divided and given every 8-24 hours). Increased efficacy and decreased toxicity are possible if given once daily." Superscript 39 → Ivey E, Morrisey J. Therapeutics for rabbits. Vet Clin North Am Exotic Anim Pract. 2000;3(1):183-216 (resolved via plumbref).

Sample dosing (2 of 10 cited rules)

A dog/cat sample is shown here. Cited dosing for all 8 species — reptiles, birds, pocket pets, livestock, and equine — is free on the per-species pages above. Pro adds the weight-based calculator for every species.

Species	Route	Dose	Frequency	Evidence	Source
Dog (Domestic)	SC	15–30 mg/kg	q24h	Strong	Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.76 (2026-08-01).
Cat (Domestic)	IV	10–14 mg/kg	q24h	Strong	Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.76 (2026-08-01).

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