Ototoxic medication

Ototoxic medications are drugs or pharmaceutical agents which induce ototoxicity. Ototoxicity is defined as the toxic effect on the functioning of the inner ear, which may lead to temporary or permanent hearing loss (cochleotoxic) and balance problems (vestibulotoxic).

There are a wide range of ototoxic medications, including antibiotics, antimalarials, chemotherapeutic agents, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and loop diuretics. While these drugs target different body systems, they also may cause ototoxicity through different mechanisms, such as damage to the cellular tissues of inner ear structures and disturbances of the auditory nervous system.

Onset of ototoxicity ranges from taking a single dose to long-term usage of the drugs. Signs and symptoms of ototoxicity include tinnitus, hearing loss, dizziness and nausea and/or vomiting. The diagnosis of medicine-induced ototoxicity is challenging as it usually shows only mild symptoms in early stages. Thus, prospective ototoxicity monitoring would be required when patients are using ototoxic medications. Damage may be permanent or may resolve upon discontinuation of the medication.