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Reversible anosmia after amikacin therapy

Antje Welge-Luessen1, Markus Wolfensberger

  • 1Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University Hospital Basel, Petersgraben 4, CH-4031 Basel, Switzerland. awelge@uhbs.ch

Archives of Otolaryngology--Head & Neck Surgery
|December 17, 2003
PubMed

Insights

Antibiotic therapy can rarely cause olfactory disorders. This study reports the first case of temporary smell loss (anosmia) linked to intravenous amikacin sulfate, with probable causal correlation.

Area of Science:

  • Pharmacology
  • Neuroscience
  • Otolaryngology

Background:

  • Olfactory disorders are rare adverse effects of antibiotic treatments.
  • Previous reports documented olfactory disturbances with doxycycline, amoxicillin, clarithromycin, roxithromycin, kanamycin sulfate, and streptomycin sulfate.

Observation:

  • This study details the first reported case of transient anosmia (complete loss of smell) following intravenous administration of amikacin sulfate.
  • The onset and recovery of the olfactory disorder were objectively measured using psychometric testing and chemosensory evoked potentials.

Findings:

  • A probable causal link was established between amikacin sulfate administration and the development of olfactory disturbance.
  • The temporal relationship between drug administration and the olfactory symptoms strongly suggests a correlation.

Implications:

  • This case highlights amikacin sulfate as a potential cause of drug-induced olfactory dysfunction.
  • Further research is needed to elucidate the precise mechanisms underlying amikacin-induced anosmia.

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