Accidental amikacin overdose in man: emergency therapy by extrarenal dialysis

Three accidental overdoses of amikacin (6, 6.5 and 8 times the normal dose) are reported. Emergency haemodialysis therapy was given and the serum levels monitored. No toxic effects were encountered. The need for such emergency haemodialysis seems to be limited to patients with impaired renal function or to cases where little time has elapsed between intake and detection of overdose.