Ototoxicity of vancomycin and analogues.

This article details clinical reports and animal studies of ototoxicity associated with vancomycin and its analogues. From these studies, the ototoxicity of these agents is still not clear. In the author's opinion, vancomycin must affect the auditory system in a manner that results in augmentation of the usual ototoxicity of aminoglycoside antibiotics. This postulated effect may manifest as a temporary hearing loss in humans. More studies are needed, however, before a definitive conclusion can be made.