| dbo:abstract
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- 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 balancing problems (vestibulotoxic). Drugs or pharmaceutical agents inducing ototoxicity are regarded as ototoxic medications. There is a wide range of ototoxic medications, for example, antibiotics, antimalarials, chemotherapeutic agents, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and loop diuretics. While these drugs target on different body systems, they also trigger ototoxicity through different mechanisms, for example, destruction to cellular tissues of inner ear parts and disturbance on 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. Fortunately, the majority of ototoxicity cases are reversible by stopping the medication concerned. (en)
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