Aminoglycoside-associated nephrotoxicity in the elderly.

Objective: To determine whether there was an increased incidence of nephrotoxicity in elderly patients (> or =65 y) prescribed single-dose (SD) versus multiple-dose (MD) aminoglycosides and whether aminoglycoside-induced nephrotoxicity was associated with length of therapy and other risk factors.

Methods: A prospective, observational audit at a university teaching hospital was conducted. Physician prescribing was used to stratify subjects according to dosing regimen: MD (n = 60) or SD (n = 26).