Amikacin, sold under the brandname Amikin, is an aminoglycoside antibiotic used to treat different types of bacterial infections. Amikacin works by binding to the bacterial 30S ribosomal subunit, causing misreading of mRNA and leaving the bacterium unable to synthesize proteins vital to its growth. Amikacin was initially sold in 1976. It is on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines, a list of the most important medication needed in a basic health system.