What precautions should be taken with amikacin?

Amikacin: This drug is in a class of antibiotics known as aminoglycosides. These days there are limiited clinical situations in which they should be used because of both nephro (kidney) and oto (8th nerve) toxicities. In my opinion all patients receiving this should have 8th nerve function tested periodically as well as renal function and duration of treatment should be kept as brief as possible.