If aminoglycosides are administered orally, do you need to be concerned about side effects?

Aminoglycosides are primarily used for their potent antibacterial effects; however, their absorption when taken orally is significantly limited. Because of this limited absorption, they are not typically used orally for systemic infections. Instead, they are often administered parenterally (such as IV or IM) to ensure adequate therapeutic levels in the bloodstream and for effective treatment.

When aminoglycosides are taken orally, they generally do not reach therapeutic levels in the bloodstream, which significantly reduces the risk of side effects such as nephrotoxicity and ototoxicity that are primarily associated with systemic administration. Therefore, while it's important to remain vigilant about side effects with any medication, in the case of oral administration of aminoglycosides, minimal side effects are expected due to their limited systemic absorption.