Comparative ototoxic liability of netilmicin and gentamicin.

Netilmicin sulfate is a new aminoglycoside antibiotic currently undergoing clinical investigation. All of the aminoglycoside antibiotics now in clinical use are ototoxic. This study was done to determine the ototoxic liability of netilmicin when it is compared directly with gentamicin sulfate. Groups of ten guinea pigs each were given doses of 0, 50, 100, or 150 mg/kg of either gentamicin or netilmicin daily for four weeks. After a two-week stabilization period, the Preyer pinna reflex, the cochlea's ability to generate the ac cochlear potential, and the missing hair cells from the cochleas were determined. Additionally, the pharmacokinetics of both drugs in the plasma and perilymph were determined. Little or no cochlear damage was detected with netilmicin, even at the highest dose, while even the smallest dose of gentamicin produced measurable changes in cochlear function.