What is a common side effect of aminoglycosides?

Aminoglycosides are a class of antibiotics that are known for their efficacy against certain types of bacterial infections, particularly those caused by gram-negative organisms. One of the most significant concerns associated with aminoglycosides is nephrotoxicity, which refers to the potential for these drugs to cause kidney damage. The kidneys are responsible for filtering waste products from the blood and excreting them in urine, and aminoglycosides can accumulate in renal tissue, leading to impairment of kidney function.

Nephrotoxicity is a serious side effect that manifests as an increase in serum creatinine levels, decreased urine output, and in severe cases, acute kidney injury, which may require hospitalization or dialysis. The risk of nephrotoxicity is often dose-dependent, meaning that higher doses or prolonged therapy increase the likelihood of developing this adverse effect. Additionally, monitoring renal function is a standard part of managing patients who are prescribed aminoglycosides to mitigate these risks.

While nausea, headache, and rash can occur with various medications and may be side effects in some cases, nephrotoxicity stands out specifically as a dose-related and commonly recognized risk associated with the use of aminoglycosides, making it a critical aspect of patient management when these antibiotics are