Ototoxic agents causing damage to the cochlea, the cochlerar nerve and sometimes to the labyrinth and vestibular system.
Ototoxic drugs include 1- Antibiotics, 2 - Chemotherapeutic agents, 3 - Loop diuretics and 4 - Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
1 - Antibiotics
Aminoglycoside drugs may produce cochleotoxicity. Toxicity is proportional to kidney function and duration of treatment. The aminoglycoside most dangerous are gentamicin and tobramycin. One administration for day (1) and co-administration of N-acetycysteine (2) may protect aminoglycoside-iduced ototoxicity.
2 - Chemotherapeutic agents
With the strong ototoxicity drugs are carboplatin and cisplatin. Their use causes hearing loss, tinnitus (ringing in the ears) and dizziness.
3 - Loop diuretics
The furosemide and ethacrynic acid causes hearing loss.
4 - Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
The acetylsalicylic acid (Aspirin) is anti-inflammatory drug that causes ototoxicity, especially temporary hearing loss and tinnitus in the ear.
If you are currently taking any of the drugs mentioned here you should not stop treatment, but talk to your physician.
The ototoxicity is a slow phenomenon and often only potential.
Drug-induced acoustic damage is almost always bilateral and symmetrical. Hearing asymmetries are possible if there are hearing differences between the two ears before taking the drugs.
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References
1 - Munckhof WJ et al A meta-analysis of studies on the safety and efficacy on aminoglycosides given either once daily or as divided doses. Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy 37 (4): 645-663 - April 1996
2 - Tepel M - N-Acetylcysteine in the prevention of ototoxicity. Kidney International 72 (3): 231-232 - August 2007.
Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery
Carlo Govoni performs surgery ENT at the nursing home in Columbus Clinic Center street Buonarroti, 48 Milan;Hesperia Hospital, Arquà street, 80 - Modena. Another ambulatory is located in MILAN, Magenta street, civic number 64. Phone: (+39) 0258103023 and Private Street Pietro Ogliari, 3.
Only private visits by appointment. Phone (+39) 3358040811
In this photo Corso Magenta in Milan. At the civic number 64 there is study of Carlo Govoni MD.
See also:
Rome - National Congress Italian Society of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery
- Treatment of Tinnitus at Columbusl Clinic Center in Milan
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