Why are therapeutic drug levels important to monitor for aminoglycosides?

Monitoring therapeutic drug levels for aminoglycosides is crucial because these medications have a narrow therapeutic window. This means that the range between the minimum effective concentration and the minimum toxic concentration is small. If the drug level falls below the effective concentration, it may not provide the desired therapeutic effect, while if it exceeds the toxic concentration, it can lead to severe side effects, particularly nephrotoxicity and ototoxicity. Therefore, regular monitoring helps to ensure that the drug levels remain within this narrow window, optimizing efficacy while minimizing the risk of toxicity.