Amikacin IV Home Therapy 4 Hours for each treatment

Posted by janetannfaust @janetannfaust, Aug 31 6:16am

At home my Amikacin IV is taking 4 hours. Has anyone had Amikacin by IV at home? If so, was yours 4 hours? The 4 hours is emotionally draining and then followed by the Imipenem IV that is 2 hours. Please share your experience. My ID Dr did call me and he is working to get an oral drug to replace the Amikacin. If I had all oral drugs, I would be more positive going forward. Please share if you have had trouble getting the oral drugs instead of IV. Thank you for your experiences.

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Mary | @mjb24 | Aug 31 8:02am

I was on IV Amikacin for MAC but it only took about 40 minutes per session. I assume you see a nurse weekly to change out the dressing, have you asked her/him how long it should take? Another thought, my nurse put in a request to change from the IV poll to an elastomeric pump. It is a ball shaped device that can be slipped into your pocket so you can be mobile while receiving treatment. Would have been great for me since I was having to bring IV pole and supplies to work with me every day, however, they took me off the Amikacin before I ever received it.

janetannfaust | @janetannfaust | Aug 31 9:22am

I’ve heard could be 6 to 12 months. I hope my Dr receives the oral alternative for Amikacin soon. Yes I have home health nurse that is scheduled for 2 times a week. That pump sounds interesting, I will ask about it.
Thanks & Take care!

lilianna | @lilianna | Sep 1 8:50am

In reply to @janetannfaust "I’ve heard could be 6 to 12 months. I hope my Dr receives the oral alternative..." + (show)

I had amikacin iv Three times a week at the infusion center and it took about an hour. I don’t know where you live so may be there is no infusion center nearby. Also I flushed the picc line myself on days off amikacin and the nurse on the day on the med with heparin so not to get blood clots. Dressing was changed and blood for kidney and liver function was drawn once a week at the infusion center.

janetannfaust | @janetannfaust | Sep 1 12:17pm

Thanks for your information. I live in Ohio with a small local hospital. Ohio State Hospital is where I started inpatient treatment, an hour away. I might ask about infusion at local hospital till I get an oral med to replace it.