Aminoglycosides and aminocyclitols

The aminoglycoside antibiotics comprise a large group of naturally occurring or semisynthetic polycationic compounds. The therapeutically important members of the group have amino sugars glycosidically linked to aminocyclitols – cyclic alcohols that are also substituted with amino functions. Most are bactericidal agents and share the same general range of antibacterial activity, pharmacokinetic behavior, a tendency to damage one or both branches of the eighth nerve, and a propensity to cause renal damage. The degree and nature of toxicity varies among compounds, and for some it is so great as to preclude systemic use.