[Ototoxic potential of erythromycin]

On the basis of a personal case and a review of the literature, the authors raise the problem of the potential ototoxicity of erythromycin in patients with renal failure. The cochlear toxicity of this antibiotic is very different from that of the aminoglycosides, as in all of the reported cases, hypoacusis appears very early and always resolved once the antibiotic was stopped. The actual mechanism of the cochlear damage has not been studied. Although this iatrogenic reaction is uncommon, the authors recommend caution when prescribing erythromycin to patients with renal failure.