Ototoxic Drugs

Ototoxic drugs refer to the preparations which damage the patient's hearing and the balance. Ototoxic drugs causing damage to the ear (ototoxicity) may result in:

• Hearing loss

• Ringing in the ear

• Balance disorders 

Ototoxic drugs damage hair cells within the inner ear (that sense the transmitted vibrations) and the vestibulo-cochlear nerve (that connects the inner ear to the brain). Ototoxicity can be temporary or permanent. The table below shows some ototoxic drugs:

Drugs causing temporary damage: 

Salicylate (aspirin), Quinine, Loop diuretics

Drugs causing permanent damage: 

Aminoglycoside antibiotics (gentamicin, streptomycin, amikacin), Cancer chemotherapy (cisplatin, carboplatin)

How to notice the ototoxic effects of the drugs?

• You can notice ototoxic effect of the drugs as:
• Ringing in your ears that is called tinnitis 
• Hearing loss 
• Feeling unsteady on your feet 
• Loss of balance, it looks like you are going to fall.

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Keywords: Ototoxic drugs, Ototoxicity, Hearing loss, Ringing, Balance problems, Salicylate (aspirin), Quinine, Loop diuretics, Aminoglycoside antibiotics (gentamicin, streptomycin, amikacin), Cancer chemotherapy (cisplatin, carboplatin)