Aminoglycosides hypokalemia with

Continuous infusion of amphotericin has been assessed in an open study in six lung transplant recipients with invasive or semi-invasive bronchopulmonary azole-resistant candidal infections who were treated for 40 (17-73) days by 24-hour continuous infusions of amphotericin 1 mg/kg (113). They received at least 1000 ml/day of 0.9% saline intravenously. Apart from ciclosporin, five patients received aminoglycosides for at least 2 weeks, and four received ganciclovir. Calculated creatinine clearance fell from 57 (43-73) ml/minute to a nadir of 35 (28-39) and recovered to 52 (33-60) after the end of therapy. One patient needed temporary hemofiltration for 7 days. Besides three episodes of mild hypokalemia there were no adverse effects attributable to amphotericin. Asymptomatic colonization with Candida persisted for 10 months in one case, but the other five patients were cured. 

Metabolic acidosis and electrolyte disturbances. Acidic environments increase the ionization of aminoglycosides and positive cations compete with the aminoglycosides for binding sites. Consequently, metabolic acidosis and electrolyte imbalances such as hypokalemia and hyponatremia increase the binding of aminoglycosides to the phospholipid receptors on the renal tubular cells, increasing intracellular accumulation. 

In hypercalcemia, excessive volume depletion, hyponatremia, and hypotension are major risks associated with the use of loop diuretics, and the side effects of hypokalemia, hyperuricemia, and hyperglycemia are always present. Loop diuretics should not be used concurrently with ototoxic aminoglycoside antibiotics (i.e., streptomycin, gentamicin, kanamycin, tobramycin). 

Hypomagnesemia has been associated with more than 50 drugs, especially those that are nephrotoxic, including cisplatin, aminoglycoside antibiotics, cyclosporine, and amphotericin B. Secondary hypocalcemia and hypokalemia may result with myasthenia and tetany (Swaminathan 2003). 

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