What is "kanamycin"

n. An aminoglycoside antibiotic marketed under the trade name Kantrex.

n. antibiotic (trade name Kantrex) used to treat severe infections [syn: Kantrex]

Kanamycin (also known as kanamycin A) is an aminoglycoside bacteriocidal antibiotic, available in by mouth, intravenous, and intramuscular forms, and used to treat a wide variety of infections. Kanamycin is isolated from the bacterium Streptomyces kanamyceticus and its most commonly used form is kanamycin sulfate.

It is on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines, the most important medications needed in a basic health system.