Which statement about antibiotic toxicity and organ involvement is accurate?

• A. Antibiotic toxicity can affect ears, kidneys, and liver
• B. Antibiotic toxicity affects only the liver
• C. Antibiotic toxicity only affects the heart
• D. Antibiotics have no toxicity concerns

Answer: (A)

Antibiotic toxicity isn’t limited to one organ system; several drugs can injure multiple organs. For example, certain antibiotics—notably the aminoglycosides—can cause ototoxicity, leading to hearing loss or balance problems, and they can also be nephrotoxic, harming the kidneys. Many agents can stress the liver as well, causing hepatotoxicity with elevated liver enzymes or jaundice. The idea that toxicity would be confined to just the liver or that there are no toxicity concerns isn’t accurate, and it’s not limited to the heart. So the statement that antibiotic toxicity can affect ears, kidneys, and liver reflects the real, multi-organ risk profile of many antibiotics.