Ototoxicity of netilmicin.

Ototoxicity and efficacy of netilmicin was evaluated in 76 consecutive patients with moderate to severe infections with Gram-negative rods and Staphylococcus aureus. Netilmicin alone was efficacious in 47 patients and in another 23 patients cure or improvement was seen with netilmicin combined with another antibiotic, usually penicillin. Therapeutic failure was seen in 4 cases, 2 of which were regarded as netilmicin failures. Vestibular function and hearing acuity was thoroughly examined by electronystagmography and audiometry. In spite of the extensive examination of the audiovestibular function it was possible to detect only one probable case of ototoxicity related to netilmicin, a reversible vestibular dysfunction. The importance of pre-therapeutic audiovestibular examination is stressed.