Amikacin assays: Practicalities of taking a sample.

• The 1st amikacin assays should be done 24 hours after starting therapy (around the 3rd dose). 
• Both "pre-dose" and "post-dose" samples are required.
• Take a blood sample (gold top serum separator tubes (preferred) or red top) immediately before the dose as the "pre-dose". 
  • This should be 8 or 12 hours after the previous dose for tds and bd regimens respectively. 
  • This timing is crucial. 
  • The dose must not be significantly delayed just for the blood sample, otherwise the assay result becomes meaningless.
• Administer the dose of amikacin.
• Take another blood sample (gold top serum separator tubes (preferred) or red top) exactly one hour after the dose as the "Post dose".
  • Again, this timing is crucial.
• The request card should be completed with as much information as possible to allow interpretation of the assay result. Click here for further details.
• The "Pre-dose" and "Post-dose" samples should be sent as a pair to the microbiology laboratory.

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Page last edited: 24/09/2008

Caution; the antibiotic doses recommended on this website are intended for adult patients with normal renal and liver function unless otherwise stated. Dosing advice for patients with renal impairment is available here.

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