Clinical perspectives on ototoxic drugs

Abstract

Ototoxic drugs such as salicylates, the aminoglycoside antibiotics, loop diuretics, cisplatin, erythromycin, and vancomycin are widely used in clinical practice. The most commomly used are aspirin and the aminoglycoside antibiotics. This chapter briefly discusses the pharmacology of the commonly prescribed ototoxic drugs and the doses that may result in ototoxicity. An outline for the monitoring of ototoxic drugs is presented. The role of topical ear drops as a possible cause of ototoxicity is reviewed.