Ototoxicity of erythromycin in man: electrophysiologic approach.
Ototoxicity is probably the least acknowledged adverse reaction of erythromycin. The mechanism of erythromycin ototoxicity is still unknown. Here we report on two new cases of erythromycin-induced hearing loss. In both of them, serial evoked auditory brainstem potentials (EABPs) were obtained. The recorded EABPs showed absence of waves I to III during treatment with erythromycin, and normalization of all EABP waves after the administration of erythromycin had been stopped. Our findings support the hypothesis that erythromycin-induced hearing loss is attributable to a functional disorder in the peripheral parts of the auditory system.
Service of Clinical Pharmacology, University Hospital Marques De Valdecilla, Santander, Spain.
J A
JA
Sacristán
M
M
Angeles De Cos
J
J
Soto
F
F
Zurbano
J
J
Pascual
A
A
Tasis
R
R
Valle
C
C
De Pablos
D000368:Aged; D001304:Auditory Diseases, Central / Q000175:diagnosis; D001306:Auditory Pathways / Q000187:drug effects; D004917:Erythromycin / Q000633:toxicity*; D016057:Evoked Potentials, Auditory, Brain Stem; D005260:Female; D006311:Hearing Disorders / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged
D004917:Erythromycin