Revisiting the loading dose of amikacin for patients with severe sepsis and septic shock

Introduction: It has been proposed that doses of amikacin of > 15 mg/kg should be used in conditions associated with an increased volume of distribution (V-d), such as severe sepsis and septic shock. The primary aim of this study was to determine whether 25 mg/kg (total body weight) of amikacin is an adequate loading dose for these patients. Methods: This was an open, prospective, multicenter study in four Belgian intensive care units (ICUs). All consecutive patients with a diagnosis of severe sepsis or septic shock, in whom amikacin treatment was indicated, were included in the study. Resu... Mehr ...