Gac Med Mex
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The aminoglycosides are broad-spectrum antibiotics especially effective against many strains of gramnegative bacteria. Since streptomycin was used for tuberculosis treatment, the toxic side effects of such antibiotics were identified. The kidney and the inner ear are affected. ⋯ During the last fifty years, risk factors for aminoglycoside-induced-ototoxicity have been identified, including a genetically transmitted hypersensitivity to the ototoxic effect. Although several strategies to prevent the damage have been proposed, today it is not rare that patients suffer permanent loss of hearing and loss of balance due to aminoglycoside toxicity. This review gives a brief background of aminoglycoside ototoxicity, some strategies to prevent it, and the therapeutic use of the vestibulo-toxic effect.