Aminoglycosides are antibiotics given intravenously to treat
certain infections. These drugs can damage the kidneys as well
as the nerve supplying the ear (the auditory nerve). The herb
ginkgo is thought to increase circulation and protect nerve
cells from damage. On this basis, it has been proposed as a
possible treatment to help protect the auditory nerve from
damage caused by aminoglycosides. However, the one animal study
performed to evaluate this potential benefit found instead that
the herb increased damage to the auditory nerve. Based on this
finding, individuals using aminoglycoside drugs should avoid
ginkgo. Weak evidence from animal studies hints that use of
gentamycin may reduce levels of magnesium and calcium.
Supplementation may therefore be helpful on general principles
if gentamicin treatment is used for a long time. One animal
study suggests that calcium supplements in particular might help
prevent gentamicin-induced kidney damage. One animal study
weakly hints that might help prevent hearing