Your Medication Could Be Making Your Tinnitus Worse

Tinnitus
Your Medication Could Be Making Your Tinnitus Worse

Part of what makes the management and treatment of tinnitus difficult is that there can be many triggers for tinnitus, from loud noise exposure to high blood pressure. Even worse, sometimes, there is no apparent reason why someone experiences tinnitus.

What surprises many individuals to learn is how tinnitus can be triggered by medication. This side-effect may not be mentioned when you are prescribed the medication if you don’t specifically ask about it, and some of the tinnitus-triggering drugs can be obtained over-the-counter (OTC).

To learn more about tinnitus-triggering medicines and how to manage your tinnitus symptoms, Hearing Associates of Las Vegas are here to help.

Types Of Medications That Can Trigger Tinnitus

A number of different types of medications can trigger tinnitus. To ensure that your specific medication does or does not aggravate your tinnitus is something you will need to ask your doctor or pharmacist. However, for a general base, here are the top types of tinnitus-triggering medications:

  • Antimalarial medications – Quinine and chloroquine are a couple of the antimalarial drugs that can aggravate tinnitus.
  • NSAID – Common OTC painkillers like ibuprofen, aspirin, naproxen are among the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) that can cause tinnitus to flare up.
  • Loop diuretics – Usually used to treat issues like congestive heart failure and edema, loop diuretics like torsemide, bumetanide, and furosemide can cause tinnitus symptoms.
  • Some cancer treatments – Vincristine and cisplatin are among some of the cancer-treating medications that can lead to permanent tinnitus.
  • Select anticonvulsants – While not all anticonvulsants lead to tinnitus, valproic acid, and carbamazepine can cause tinnitus to increase.
  • Tricyclic antidepressants – Some selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) antidepressants, such as clomipramine, amitriptyline, and imipramine, can cause your tinnitus to become more prominent.
  • Some antibiotics – Doxycycline, erythromycin, gentamicin, tetracycline, and a number of other antibiotics have been identified as tinnitus triggers.

    • Many of these medications can only cause temporary tinnitus, which will stop when you no longer take the medication. However, some can cause permanent tinnitus damage.

    Ways To Manage Tinnitus While Using Medication

    There are ways to treat your tinnitus even while using medications if you are unable to stop the use of tinnitus irritating medications. Some things you may want to investigate are:

  • Ask for alternative medications – In many cases, there are alternative medications that can be used instead of the ones that will trigger your tinnitus. However, depending on your needs, you and your physician may need to weigh the benefits, as not all medications will work as effectively for you.
  • Focus on healthy, tinnitus-minimizing lifestyle – Reducing your stress levels, practicing mindfulness, reducing tinnitus-irritants like caffeine and cigarettes, as well as regular exercise, can all help you manage your tinnitus.
  • Utilize tinnitus treatment devices – There are a number of devices that can be used to treat and manage your tinnitus, from hearing aids to sound generators. Working with one of our hearing instrument specialists can help identify what devices are best suited to you and your tinnitus.
  • Reduce medication intake when possible – If possible, you should do your best to reduce your tinnitus worsening medication, especially in the case of NSAID painkillers. This option is not always possible, so be sure you discuss with your physician before changing your medication routine.

    • Find Tinnitus Treatment In Las Vegas

    For those who live in Las Vegas or in nearby communities, you can find tinnitus treatment at our hearing clinics. Here at Hearing Associates of Las Vegas, we have helped treat many individuals’ tinnitus and provided them with the tools and support to keep their tinnitus under control.

    To start your tinnitus management and treatment journey, please contact us today to schedule a consultation with one of our tinnitus experts.

    Call For An Appointment:702-857-8188