Ototoxicity

Overview
Ototoxicity is damage of the ear (oto), specifically the cochlea or auditory nerve and sometimes the vestibulum, by a toxin (often medication).

Causes
A number of drugs have been associated with damage to the cochlea. The best known are aminoglycoside antibiotics, aspirin, nicotine and some diuretics such as furosemide.

Erythromycin and some other macrolide antibiotics can induce temporary deafness, which resolves upon withdrawal of the drug.

Other chemicals such as toluene, mercury and carbon monoxide are also known Ototoxic chemicals.

There appears to be a hereditary predisposition to ototoxic reactions.

Symptoms
Symptoms include partial or profound hearing loss, vertigo, and tinnitus.

Treatment
No specific treatment is available, but immediate withdrawal of the drug is warranted.