Clinical Trials Logo

Clinical Trial Summary

Aminoglycosides are broad-spectrum antibiotics, effective against gram-negative bacteria. Aminoglycosides urine concentration exceeds that of the plasma by up to a hundred. Their efficacy is dependent on their level above minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC); however high levels are associate with nephrotoxicity. Therefore aminoglycosides have a narrow therapeutic rang. The correlation between administrated dose and blood drug levels is hard to predict. Amikacin is a highly effective aminoglycoside, highly effective against extended spectrum beta lactamase (ESBL) bacteria.

Older patients suffer from more urinary tract infection (UTIs), and have a higher frequency of infection with resistant bacteria, mainly among frail nursing home residents.

Our goal is to prove that fixed low dose amikacin in the elderly patient in non-inferior to weight-adjusted treatment.

Study design:

A randomized prospective, open label, non-inferiority trial

Study participants will be 65 years or older, who were admitted to the medical ward due to a UTI will be assigned to one of the following study arms:

1. Intervention arm: in which patients will receive a fixed dose of amikacin, 500 mg, once a day.

2. Comparator arm: in which patients will receive a weight adjusted dose of amikacin (15 mg/kg adjusted body weight) and continue in adjusted intervals according plasma concentrations, using the Barnes Jewish Hospital nomogram.

All participants will be followed up with:

1. Amikacin blood levels 6-14 hours following first administration, used for dose adjustment according to the nomogram. Peak amikacin blood levels, 30- 60 minutes following first or second administration.

2. Urine analysis and culture upon admission to the emergency department (ER). In patients with indwelling urinary catheters, cultures will be taken following replacement with a new catheter.

3. Broad serum biochemistry, complete blood count, C-reactive protein and blood cultures will be taken upon admission to the ER, two days after recruitment and at least once every three days following that, as long as the patient is receiving amikacin.

Duration of amikacin treatment will be according to the attending physician's clinical judgment; however, it will not be shorter than 72 hours since first dose. Total duration of amikacin treatment will not exceed 10 days. Total treatment for UTI will not fall short of seven days of antibiotics (either amikacin or any suitable alterative according to blood and/or urine cultures).


Clinical Trial Description

Study protocol: Safety and efficacy of fixed-low-dose amikacin for urinary tract infection on the elderly patient.

Aminoglycosides are broad-spectrum, bactericidal antibiotics, effective against gram-negative bacteria. Of this group, gentamicin and amikacin are frequently used in our center (Rabin Medical Center, Beilinson campus). Amikacin, a semi-synthetic aminoglycoside, is highly effective against extended spectrum beta lactamase (ESBL) bacteria, and is the most effective against aminoglycoside modifying enzymes resistance.

Aminoglycosides are water soluble and mainly eliminated through the kidney. Their urine concentration exceeds that of the plasma up to a hundred. Aminoglycosides have a narrow therapeutic range, and the correlation between administrated dose and blood drug levels is hard to predict. Aminoglycosides' efficacy is dependent on their level above minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC). Common clinical practice regarding amikacin today is to administer a weight adjusted first dose, later measuring the blood drug level and adjusting following doses according to a nomogram (such as the Barnes Jewish Hospital nomogram). The evidence base behind the usage of the nomogram is lacking at best.

Our main concern with aminoglycosides is nephrotoxicity; amikacin was found to be less nephrotoxic than gentamycin. The nephrotoxic effect is dependent on the cumulative dose, and is documented mainly in association with high doses and long treatment courses.

On the one hand, elderly patients suffer from more urinary tract infection (UTIs), and have a higher frequency of infection with resistant bacteria. This latter problem is on the rise especially among frail and elderly nursing home residents. On the other hand, elderly patients are more prone to nephrotoxicity from aminoglycosides, due to the age-related decrease in glomerular filtration rate (GFR), polypharmacy and comorbidities. There is a true and vast lack of clinical trials regarding amikacin use in elderly patients, especially those aged 75 years or older.

Our goal is to prove that fixed low dose amikacin in the elderly patient in non-inferior to weight-adjusted treatment.

The investigators hypothesize that the use of fixed dose, 500 mg of amikacin, in the elderly will cause less nephrotoxicity and less dose-adjusting, with no more clinical failures.

Study participants will be 65 years or older, who were admitted to the medical ward due to a UTI.

Study design:

This is a prospective, open label, non-inferiority trial, in which consenting patients will be randomly assigned to one of the following study arms:

1. Intervention arm: in which patients will receive a fixed, single daily dose of amikacin, 500 mg, a day.

2. Comparator arm: in which patients will receive a weight adjusted loading dose of amikacin (15 mg/kg adjusted body weight) and continue in adjusted intervals according to the Barnes Jewish Hospital nomogram.

All participants will be followed up with:

1. Amikacin blood levels 6-14 hours following first administration after recruitment, used for dose adjustment according to the nomogram. Peak amikacin blood levels, 30- 60 minutes following first or second administration.

2. Urine analysis and urine culture upon admission to the emergency department (ER) (prior to recruitment). In patients with indwelling urinary catheters, cultures will be taken following replacement with a new catheter.

3. Broad serum biochemistry, complete blood count, C-reactive protein and blood cultures will be taken upon admission to the ER, two days after recruitment and at least once every three days following that, as long as the patient is receiving amikacin.

If in the intervention arm, serum amikacin levels will be found to be higher than that recommended for single daily dose (meaning toxic levels), the dosing intervals will also be adjusted according to the Barnes Jewish Hospital nomogram.

Duration of amikacin treatment will be according to the attending physician's clinical judgment; however, it will not be shorter than 72 hours since first dose. Total duration of amikacin treatment will not exceed 10 days. Total treatment for UTI will not fall short of seven days of antibiotics (either amikacin or any suitable alterative according to blood and/or urine cultures).

In both study arms, dosage or time interval adjustments and antibiotic type changes will be done only in the presence of lacking clinical improvement or according to blood and/or urine cultures.

No. of patients to be recruited: 200. Ages: 65 years or older. Sex: male or female. ;


Study Design


Related Conditions & MeSH terms


NCT number NCT04197739
Study type Interventional
Source Rabin Medical Center
Contact Yochai Levy, MD
Phone +972502991516
Email YOCHAILE@clalit.org.il
Status Not yet recruiting
Phase Phase 4
Start date December 2019
Completion date December 2021

See also
  Status Clinical Trial Phase
Recruiting NCT04495699 - Asymptomatic Renal Calculi in Recurrent Urinary Tract Infections
Terminated NCT05254808 - EXtended Use of FOsfomycin for the Treatment of CYstitis in Primary Care Phase 3
Completed NCT03680612 - Cefepime/AAI101 Phase 2 Study in Hospitalized Adults With cUTI Phase 2
Completed NCT03282006 - Treating Pyelonephritis an Urosepsis With Pivmecillinam Phase 4
Completed NCT03526484 - The Utility of Urinalysis Prior to In-Office Procedures N/A
Completed NCT05397782 - Effects of Flourish on Recurrent Urinary Tract Infection N/A
Completed NCT05018546 - Safety and Efficacy of Different Irrigation System in Retrograde Intrarenal Surgery N/A
Completed NCT03687255 - Safety and Efficacy Study of Cefepime-AAI101 in the Treatment of Complicated Urinary Tract Infections Phase 3
Recruiting NCT05227937 - Single Dose Amikacin for Uncomplicated Cystitis in the ED: A Feasibility Study
Completed NCT02864420 - Hospitalization at Home: The Acute Care Home Hospital Program for Adults N/A
Completed NCT03131609 - Avoiding Bacterial Contamination of Clean Catch Urine Cultures in Ambulatory Patients in the Emergency Department
Completed NCT01911143 - A Retrospective, Blinded Validation of a Host-response Based Diagnostics N/A
Completed NCT01333254 - A Trial of Different Methods for Bladder Drainage in Hip Surgery Patients N/A
Terminated NCT00594594 - Adjuntive Probiotic Therapy in Treating Urinary Tract Infections in Spinal Cord Injury Phase 1
Completed NCT00216853 - A Study of Vaginal MicroFlora and Immune Profiles of Patients With Recurrent Urinary Tract Infection N/A
Completed NCT00787085 - The Significance of Funguria in Hospitalized Patients N/A
Completed NCT05719753 - The Effectiveness of a Bacteriophobic Coating on Urinary Catheters N/A
Recruiting NCT05415865 - The Effect of Local Anesthetic Solution in the Bladder Prior to Botox Injections in the Bladder Phase 3
Not yet recruiting NCT05880329 - DIagnoSing Care hOme UTI Study
Recruiting NCT04615065 - Acutelines: a Large Data-/Biobank of Acute and Emergency Medicine