Aminoglycoside antibiotics in clinical use.

Aminoglycosides are among the most used antibiotics despite competitive pressure from newer beta-lactam agents. The activity profile, pharmacology, toxicity potential, and methods of toxicity prevention of aminoglycosides are well appreciated after three decades. Nephrotoxicity, ototoxicity, and the added costs of drug level monitoring limit wider usage, but great activity against highly antibiotic resistant gram negative bacteria often outweigh these disadvantages and will likely keep aminoglycosides available for the foreseeable future.