Final answer:
Examples of ototoxic medications include aminoglycoside antibiotics like Gentamicin, Streptomycin, and Tobramycin; chemotherapy agents such as cisplatin and doxorubicin; and analgesics like Morphine and Oxycodone. These drugs can lead to hearing loss or balance disorders and monitoring is advised for patients at risk.
Step-by-step explanation:
Ototoxic medications are drugs that can cause temporary or permanent damage to the ear, leading to hearing loss or balance disorders. Various classes of medications have been identified as ototoxic, including some antibiotics, chemotherapy agents, and certain pain relievers. Below are examples of ototoxic drugs:
- Aminoglycoside antibiotics such as Gentamicin, Streptomycin, and Tobramycin are known for their effectiveness against Gram-negative bacteria like Pseudomonas spp. but they can also cause hearing loss and balance problems.
- Chemotherapy agents like cisplatin (Platinol®), daunorubicin (Cerubidine®), doxorubicin (Adriamycin®), and etoposide (VePesid®) have a well-documented risk of ototoxicity.
- Analgesics including Opium, Heroin, Fentanyl, Morphine, Oxycodone, Vicodin, and Methadone are recognized for their potent pain-relieving properties, but they also have the potential to cause ototoxicity, especially at higher doses or with prolonged use.
It is essential to be aware of the ototoxic potential of these medications and to monitor for auditory and vestibular side effects, especially in patients who are at an increased risk or who are receiving these drugs over extended periods of time.