Hepatotoxicity and potential liver failure are the most serious potential adverse effects of rifampin use. Patients on this medication must establish baseline liver function tests and be monitored for liver damage. None of the other conditions listed are associated with rifampin use.

Aminoglycoside antibiotics are used to treat Gram negative bacteria. They have not been shown to be effective against Gram positive bacteria and are not antifungal. Recall the major difference between the Gram negative and positive bacteria are their cell wall composition; Gram negative have a small proportion of peptidoglycan and a high proportion of lipopolysaccharide, while Gram negative bacteria have a large proportion of peptidoglycan. 

The only aminoglycoside antibiotic among those listed is streptomycin. Other examples of aminoglycosides include tobramycin and gentamicin. All aminoglycosides either end in -mycin or -micin. However, this suffix is not exclusive to aminoglycosides. It is also seen in the macrolides: erythromycin and azithromycin and both macrolides, and in lincosamides such as clindamycin.

Fluoroquinolones (the most commonly prescribed of which is ciprofloxacin) carry a risk of all of the following adverse effects: sudden tendon rupture or tendonitis, hepatotoxicity or liver failure, seizures, and permanent peripheral neuropathy. Other adverse effects include Clostridium difficile associated diarrhea, bone marrow suppression, Steven-Johnson's Syndrome, tremors, and psychosis. The majority of these adverse effects are seen in higher numbers in children and the elderly.

All of the drugs listed frequently cause C. difficile overgrowth and C. difficile associated diarrhea except vancomycin, which is often used as a treatment for persistent C. difficile infections.

Tetracycline antibiotics are contraindicated in pregnant women and small children due to their tendency to irreversibly stain developing teeth. They can also affect fetal bone growth and so are pregnancy category D (known incidence and risk of fetal harm).

Of the antibiotics listed, amoxicillin is the only one considered safe in pregnancy. Doxycycline and gentamicin are both pregnancy category D (known to cause fetal harm). Levofloxacin is category C (fetal harm can not be ruled out).

Penicillins belong to a larger class of antibiotics known as beta-lactams. These antibiotics inhibit cell-wall synthesis and are exclusively used to treat Gram positive bacteria. They are not effective against Gram negative bacteria or fungi. 

Fluoroquinolones are considered to be the treatment of choice for E. coli infections due to their effectiveness in relieving diarrhea and minimal serious adverse effects. Aminoglycosides and beta-lactam antibiotics may also be effective, as a second choice.

Gentamycin, an antibiotic and aminoglycoside, inhibits protein synthesis of gram-negative bacteria. It treats severe systemic infections. It may cause ototoxicity and nephrotoxicity, as well as anorexia, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Diaphoresis is not a common side effect of gentamycin.