Different types of medications that can cause tinnitus

A wide variety of prescription and over-the-counter medications are potentially harmful to the ears.Ototoxic drugs can potentially cause tinnitus by damaging sensory cells found in the inner ear. These cells are needed for balance and hearing.

The symptoms may disappear when the medication is stopped or the dosage is changed. However, in some cases, the sounds caused by ototoxic drugs can be long-lasting or permanent.

Not everyone who takes an ototoxic medication will develop tinnitus. Risk factors, such as exposure to loud noise while taking the medication, may increase your risk.

What medications can cause tinnitus?

There are over 100 medications that have tinnitus as a side effect in FASS. It can be medicines that are used against various diseases and conditions, for example:

• Cytostatics (cisplatin, methotrexate), which are used against cancer
• Loop diuretics (furosemide), used for high blood pressure and heart failure
• Aminoglycoside antibiotics (streptomycin, gentamicin, netilmicin), used against infections
• Acetylsalicylic acid (such as Albyl-E or Treo), which is used for pain and inflammation
• Certain antidepressants (for example, citalopram or sertraline)

These medicines can damage the inner ear or auditory nerve and lead to hearing loss and tinnitus. It can be a temporary or permanent effect, depending on the dose and duration of treatment. The risk is higher if you use several of these medicines at the same time or if you already have hearing damage.

In that article written by Healthline, they will go over some common types of ototoxic medications as well as what you can do to avoid tinnitus.

Click here to read the entire article.