GENTAMICIN AND TOBRAMYCIN IN PATIENTS WITH VARIOUS INFECTIONS - NEPHROTOXICITY

Thirty-eight consecutive patients were treated with either gentamicin (GM) or tobramycin (TM), 19 patients in each series. Renal function was monitored by serial determinations of serum creatinine concentrations (SCr) and by regular determinations of endogenous creatinine clearance (CCr). In the GM series a statistically significant progressive mean rise in SCr, more pronounced in elderly patients and in patients with lower CCr values, and a reciprocal mean decrease in CCr were recorded. In patients with normal renal function exhibiting a SCr increase, the mean daily increment was +1·7 (0·8 to 4·9) μmol/1. Also in the TM series a mean rise in SCr and a mean decrease in CCr were seen. They were less pronounced than in the GM series and statistically not significant. In both series, these reactions were rapidly reversible on terminating aminoglycoside therapy. © 1978 Oxford University Press.