Possible Nephrotoxicity of Gentamicin

Abstract

Clinical experience with patients with acute renal failure suggested an association between administration of gentamicin and renal failure. Therefore, the effect of gentamicin on renal function of the dog was studied experimentally. Glomerular filtration rate, renal blood flow, and the urinary clearance of gentamicin were measured. Renal function after the administration of gentamicin was not significantly altered from control values. Thus, although clinical evidence suggests that gentamicin adversely effects the kidneys, the nephrotoxicity of gentamicin could not be reproduced in experiments.