Which antibiotic class is commonly associated with nephrotoxicity and ototoxicity?

Which antibiotic class is commonly associated with nephrotoxicity and ototoxicity?

• A. Aminoglycosides
• B. Macrolides
• C. Tetracyclines
• D. Penicillins

Answer: (A)

Nephrotoxicity and ototoxicity are classic toxicities associated with certain antibiotics that accumulate in kidney and inner ear cells. The class that best fits this pattern is the aminoglycosides. These drugs can damage the renal proximal tubules and the hair cells in the cochlea and vestibular apparatus, leading to kidney injury and hearing or balance problems. The risk rises with higher trough levels, longer courses, preexisting kidney impairment, dehydration, concurrent nephrotoxic drugs, or use of loop diuretics, so careful dosing and monitoring of kidney function and drug levels are important. Other antibiotic classes tend to have different safety profiles. Macrolides are more commonly linked to gastrointestinal upset and QT interval prolongation, not primarily to kidney and ear toxicity. Tetracyclines can cause tooth discoloration and photosensitivity and affect bone growth, rather than nephro- or ototoxicity. Penicillins are mainly associated with allergic reactions and, less commonly, certain types of kidney inflammation, but they are not characteristically linked to ototoxicity.

Nephrotoxicity and ototoxicity are classic toxicities associated with certain antibiotics that accumulate in kidney and inner ear cells. The class that best fits this pattern is the aminoglycosides. These drugs can damage the renal proximal tubules and the hair cells in the cochlea and vestibular apparatus, leading to kidney injury and hearing or balance problems. The risk rises with higher trough levels, longer courses, preexisting kidney impairment, dehydration, concurrent nephrotoxic drugs, or use of loop diuretics, so careful dosing and monitoring of kidney function and drug levels are important.

Other antibiotic classes tend to have different safety profiles. Macrolides are more commonly linked to gastrointestinal upset and QT interval prolongation, not primarily to kidney and ear toxicity. Tetracyclines can cause tooth discoloration and photosensitivity and affect bone growth, rather than nephro- or ototoxicity. Penicillins are mainly associated with allergic reactions and, less commonly, certain types of kidney inflammation, but they are not characteristically linked to ototoxicity.