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Ototoxicityis an adverse effect of some drugs.
Certain medications cause tinnitus, which can be temporary or rarely permanent and depends on different factors.
Acetaminophen
Tylenol (acetaminophen) is one of the most commonly used over-the-counter (OTC) painkillers.
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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.
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.
The types of antidepressants used in treating tinnitusrelated symptoms aretricyclic antidepressantsand SSRIs.These include:
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Side effects include tinnitus and sensorineural hearing loss (hearing loss due to nerve damage).
These side effects may be temporary, long-lasting, or irreversible.
Common antimalarial drugs that cause tinnitus include quinine, hydroxychloroquine, and chloroquine.
Examples include:
Tinnitus can be a rare side effect.
Certain Blood Pressure-Lowering Drugs
High blood pressure is also a risk factor for tinnitus, especially in older adults.
Certain blood pressure medications are associated with hearing loss and tinnitus:
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Certain Groups of Antibiotics
Antibiotics treat bacterial infections.
Aminoglycosides are broad-spectrum antibiotics commonly used in hospital controls.
They treat severe infections in people of all ages.
Aminoglycoside antibiotics are ototoxic drugs that can cause hearing loss.
They affect the inner ear, and some people may develop tinnitus.
Healthcare providers will closely monitor people taking these drugs to detect any early hearing loss.
The aminoglycoside drugs carrying a high risk of tinnitus include:
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Certain Cancer Drugs
Certain drugs used to treat cancer are ototoxic and can damage the inner ear.
Although these drugs help treat cancer cells, they can cause permanent ear damage.
It can cause tinnitus, but it is a rare side effect.
Ask your healthcare provider about alternative options if you have any symptoms.
NSAIDs
There are severalnonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)that can cause tinnitus.
Aspirin is a common NSAID.
It is used in large doses for painful inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis.
Low-dose aspirin (less than 100 milligrams per day) was not associated with a higher risk of tinnitus.
However, these effects are reversible with dose reduction or when you stop taking aspirin.
Other NSAIDs, such as Advil (ibuprofen), can cause temporary tinnitus.
Proton Pump Inhibitors
Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs)are widely used to treat and prevent gastric disorders.
They may cause various adverse events, including tinnitus.
Several studies have reported that PPIs are related to hearing loss or tinnitus, but the evidence is limited.
In different studies, PPI use was associated with an increased risk of hearing loss or tinnitus.
How Long Does Drug-Induced Tinnitus Last?
Drug-induced tinnitus is temporary and usually goes away after stopping the medication.
Ways to Treat Tinnitus
There are several ways to improve the symptoms of tinnitus.
In most cases, these side effects are temporary or reversible.
In case of extreme discomfort, ask your healthcare provider for an alternative medicine or dose reduction.
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