Vancomycin toxicity: a prospective study.

A prospective study of 34 patients treated with 39 courses of intravenous vancomycin, was undertaken in order to assess toxicity. Six patients received vancomycin alone and 27 courses were associated with aminoglycoside administration either concurrently or within two weeks of the first dose of vancomycin. Hearing loss was slight and uncommon; patients were unaware of its occurrence. Tinnitus and dizziness was noted by two patients and resolved on withdrawal of vancomycin. Diminution of renal function was seen both during (7%) and after (9%) vancomycin therapy. A striking feature of these patients with renal deterioration was the severity of their underlying disease. No evidence of synergistic toxicity between vancomycin and aminoglycosides was seen.