Veterinary Pharmacology Drugs Practice Test

Aminoglycosides are especially toxic to two organ systems: the kidneys and the inner ear. In the kidney, they are filtered and taken up by proximal tubular cells, where they accumulate and disrupt cellular processes, often causing acute tubular necrosis. This makes nephrotoxicity a dose- and duration-dependent risk, especially with dehydration, preexisting kidney disease, or concurrent nephrotoxic drugs. In the inner ear, these drugs concentrate in the hair cells of the cochlea and vestibular apparatus, leading to damage that can result in permanent hearing loss and balance problems (ototoxicity). Because of these risks, hepatic, pancreatic, cardiovascular, respiratory, endocrine, or immune toxicities are not the typical concerns with aminoglycosides. So the organ systems most at risk are renal and auditory.