The two toxic effects associated with Aminoglycosides and Vancomycin are:

• A. Nephrotoxic
• B. Ototoxic
• C. Both nephrotoxic and ototoxic
• D. Hepatotoxic

Answer: (C)

Aminoglycosides and vancomycin share two major toxic risks: nephrotoxicity and ototoxicity. Nephrotoxicity from aminoglycosides happens when the drug accumulates in the kidney’s proximal tubule cells, potentially causing acute tubular injury. The risk grows with longer treatment, higher drug levels in the blood, older age, preexisting kidney disease, dehydration, and concurrent use of other kidney-damaging drugs. Ototoxicity arises when the drug damages the hair cells in the inner ear, leading to sensorineural hearing loss or balance problems; this risk increases with higher doses and prolonged therapy and can be irreversible. Vancomycin also carries a nephrotoxicity risk, particularly with elevated trough levels and extended courses, and while less common, ototoxicity can occur, especially with high doses or rapid administration and in combination with other ototoxic agents. In short, the two toxic effects most classically linked to these antibiotics are nephrotoxicity and ototoxicity.