Which organs are commonly affected by antibiotic toxicity?

• A. Heart, kidneys, liver
• B. Lungs, brain, heart
• C. Ears, kidneys, liver
• D. Skin, bones, joints

Answer: (C)

Antibiotic toxicity most commonly involves the kidneys, liver, and ears because these organs are central to how drugs are processed and cleared, and they’re particularly vulnerable to certain antibiotics. The kidneys are a primary route of excretion, so many drugs are filtered and concentrated in the renal tubules, making nephrotoxicity a frequent issue—aminoglycosides are a classic example, capable of causing acute tubular injury, especially with high doses or preexisting kidney disease. The liver metabolizes many antibiotics, so hepatotoxicity can occur with a wide range of agents, presenting as hepatocellular injury or cholestasis and often monitored by liver enzyme tests during prolonged therapy. The ears are susceptible to toxicity from some antibiotics, most notably aminoglycosides, which can accumulate in inner ear fluids and damage hair cells, leading to tinnitus, hearing loss, or balance problems, with risk tied to cumulative dose and duration. While other organs can be affected in rare cases, kidneys, liver, and ears represent the most common toxicity targets for antibiotics.