Aspirin to Prevent Gentamicin-Induced Hearing Loss

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Abstract
The use of aminoglycosides as powerful broad-spectrum, bactericidal, and nonallergenic antibiotics is limited by serious side effects, including irreversible hearing loss. Nevertheless, the drugs are commonly prescribed in some situations, including as part of the regimen against multidrug-resistant tuberculosis recommended by the World Health Organization.1 The incidence of gentamicin-induced hearing loss averages 8 percent for a short course of therapy2 but may be higher in developing countries, where aminoglycosides are frequently the only affordable antibiotics and are sold over the counter. No therapy presently exists to prevent ototoxicity. Animal models suggest that ototoxicity is caused by reactive oxygen species and is attenuated by antioxidants.3 Salicylate is a clinically promising antidote4 that can be administered as aspirin.

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