amikacin

[ am-i-key-sin ]

noun

, Pharmacology.

1. a broad-spectrum, semisynthetic, aminoglycoside antibiotic, C 22 H 45 N 5 O 13 , derived from kanamycin and used in the treatment of infections, especially those caused by Gram-negative bacilli.

Word History and Origins

Origin of amikacin¹

First recorded in 1970–75; perhaps ami(noglycoside) ( def ) + ka(namy)cin ( def )