What is a common side effect of giving Aminoglycosides?

Aminoglycosides are a class of antibiotics that are effective against a variety of bacterial infections, particularly Gram-negative bacteria. One of the hallmark concerns when administering aminoglycosides is their potential for causing nephrotoxicity, which refers to kidney damage, and ototoxicity, which can lead to hearing loss. These effects arise due to the accumulation of the drug in the kidneys and the inner ear, which can impair their function.

The risk of developing kidney failure with aminoglycosides is particularly important for healthcare providers to monitor, especially in patients who may already have compromised kidney function or in those receiving other nephrotoxic medications. Similarly, the association with hearing loss is critical because this can lead to long-term complications for patients, highlighting the need for careful dosage and monitoring during treatment.

Other options, such as vision loss, skin rash, or gastrointestinal upset, while they can occur with a variety of medications, are not the primary or common side effects attributed specifically to aminoglycosides. Therefore, recognizing kidney failure and hearing loss as the common side effects reflects a key understanding of the risks associated with this class of antibiotics.