Animal ototoxicity of topical antibiotics and the relevance to clinical treatment of human subjects.
OBJECTIVE
The objective of this study was to systematically review the literature on animal ototoxicity from ototopical medications. A secondary objective was to assess the relevance of animal data to the use of ototopical drops in clinical situations involving humans.


METHODS
We performed a MEDLINE search of the published literature using appropriate search terms to identify pertinent articles, which were reviewed, summarized, and tabulated.


RESULTS
One hundred seventy-three articles were reviewed; 61 articles were appropriate to the study question and were further analyzed.


CONCLUSIONS
Virtually all studies demonstrate that aminoglycoside antibiotics, when applied topically into the middle ear space, are ototoxic in experimental animals.
Roland
Peter S
PS
Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Texas Southwestern Mdical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA.
Rybak
Leonard
L
Hannley
Maureen
M
Matz
Greg
G
Stewart
Michael G
MG
Manolidis
Spiros
S
Friedman
Rick
R
Weber
Peter
P
Owens
Fred
F
D000287:Administration, Topical; D000818:Animals; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000633:toxicity*; D004432:Ear, Middle / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D012405:Round Window, Ear / Q000187:drug effects; D013997:Time Factors; D018058:Tympanic Membrane Perforation / Q000188:drug therapy
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents