Comment
Author: Admin | 2025-04-28
Ototoxicity is an adverse effect of some drugs. It is a condition that occurs when the inner ear is damaged by certain medications or chemicals, causing hearing problems or tinnitus (ringing in the ears). The symptoms of tinnitus can vary significantly, depending on whether you hear sounds in one ear, in both ears, or inside the head. Certain medications cause tinnitus, which can be temporary or rarely permanent and depends on different factors. Common ototoxic drugs (drugs that can have toxic effects on the ears) include antibiotics, analgesics (pain relievers), blood pressure medications, anticonvulsants (anti-seizure drugs), and others. 1. Acetaminophen Tylenol (acetaminophen) is one of the most commonly used over-the-counter (OTC) painkillers. Prolonged use can cause hearing problems, such as tinnitus. These problems are usually temporary and resolve on their own after stopping the medication. One study from 2023 showed that frequent users of acetaminophen may be at higher risk of persistent tinnitus. The study looked at data from more than 10,000 cases of persistent tinnitus and included only women. More studies that include different populations are needed. 2. Antidepressants Antidepressants are sometimes used to treat tinnitus. However, they have also been reported to cause or worsen tinnitus in people with previous symptoms. Studies have suggested that serotonin may exacerbate tinnitus. This means that selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), a type of antidepressant that increases serotonin (a chemical in the brain that regulates various functions such as mood and cognition), could make tinnitus worse. The types of antidepressants used in treating tinnitus‐related symptoms are tricyclic antidepressants and SSRIs. These include: Elavil (amitriptyline)Lexapro (escitalopram)Pamelor (nortriptyline)Prozac (fluoxetine)Tofranil (imipramine)Zoloft (sertraline hydrochloride) 3. Anti-Seizure Drugs Side effects while taking antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) can occur due to the epilepsy itself or the long-term use of medication. Side effects include tinnitus and sensorineural hearing loss (hearing loss due to nerve damage). Commonly used AEDs that are more likely to cause these side effects are: Depakote (valproate)Dilantin (phenytoin)Lamictal (lamotrigine)Neurontin (gabapentin)Sabril (vigabatrin)Tegretol (carbamazepine)Trileptal (oxcarbazepine) Ototoxicity with AEDs is caused by delayed signal transmission between the neurons (cells that transmit signals throughout the body) and neurotransmitters (chemical messengers that carry messages between nerves). These side effects may be temporary, long-lasting, or irreversible. 4. Antimalarial Drugs Antimalarial drugs can cause ringing in the ears when taken in higher doses for a prolonged time. In rare cases, these drugs can also cause tinnitus at low doses, but it is temporary and reversible. Common antimalarial drugs that cause tinnitus include quinine, hydroxychloroquine, and chloroquine. 5. Benzodiazepines Benzodiazepines are approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat several conditions, including anxiety disorders, epilepsy, and alcohol withdrawal. Examples include: Ativan (lorazepam)Klonopin (clonazepam)Valium (diazepam)Xanax (alprazolam) Tinnitus can be a rare side effect. It is more commonly associated with benzodiazepine withdrawal and has been reported during the tapering (dose reduction) period. Your healthcare provider will slowly reduce the dose before stopping the medication to reduce the risk of withdrawal-associated side effects. 6. Certain Blood Pressure-Lowering Drugs High blood pressure is also a risk factor
Add Comment