Drugs That Cause Tinnitus

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Drugs that Cause Tinnitus
Knowing what are the different drugs that cause tinnitus will help you avoiding ringing ears problem. Tinnitus causes treatments and remedies explained in detail.

One of the causes of ear ringing is ototoxicity to certain medications. Here are some of the long list of drugs that cause tinnitus:

Antibiotics

aminoglycosides (e.g. gentamicin)
vancomycin
tetracycline
chloramphenicol
erythromycin

Analgesics

aspirin
nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs

Loop Diuretics

bumetanide
ethacrynic acid
furosemide

Chemotherapy drugs:

cisplatin
mechlorethamine
bleomycin
vincristine
methotrexate

A medication is considered ototoxic when they cause damage to the cochlea or auditory nerve, or sometimes, the vestibulum. Ototoxicity was highlighted when the drug streptomycin was discovered in 1944. Streptomycin has successfully treated tuberculosis, but many patients developed permanent cochlear and vestibular dysfunction. One of the notable effects of this condition is ringing in the ears.

Further symptoms of ototoxicity include the intensification of existing tinnitus, a feeling of fullness in the ears, and vertigo, which is characterized by a spinning sensation.

Other than drugs that cause tinnitus, certain medical conditions can be the reason why you experience ringing in the ears. Cochlear damage due to noise, stress, Meniere's Disease, presbycusis or age-associated hearing loss, middle ear infections, head and neck injuries, vitamin B12 deficiency, hypertension, atherosclerosis, and malformation of the capillaries are some of the known causes of the unwanted sound.

Although ear ringing is only a symptom and not a medical condition in itself, it can have serious effects, and as you can see, serious implications. Thus, go visit your doctor as soon as you can if you experience the unwanted sound. Certain tests can be conducted to help determine its root cause, which is also helpful in finding the right treatment.

The treatments for tinnitus usually involve stress management programs and techniques. Examples are counseling, hypnotherapy, meditation, and relaxation. There are also sufferers who use conventional drugs such as antidepressants. They have known side effects, however, such as dizziness, drying of the mouth, constipation, and it may aggravate the unwanted sound for some.

The use of devices such as hearing aids and white noise maskers and alternative treatments like homeopathic tinnitus remedies, herbal preparations, acupressure, and acupuncture have also proved helpful to many sufferers.

Furthermore, make sure that you do your part by maintaining a healthy diet, proper and regular exercise, and getting enough sleep. You also have to carry a positive attitude, as treating the condition is not an overnight process.