11 Medications That Can Cause Tinnitus (Ringing in the Ears)

Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsAcetaminophenAntidepressantsAnti-Seizure DrugsAntimalarial DrugsBenzodiazepinesCertain Blood Pressure DrugsCertain AntibioticsCertain Cancer DrugsIsotretinoinNSAIDsProton Pump InhibitorsWays to Treat Tinnitus

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

Acetaminophen

Antidepressants

Anti-Seizure Drugs

Antimalarial Drugs

Benzodiazepines

Certain Blood Pressure Drugs

Certain Antibiotics

Certain Cancer Drugs

Isotretinoin

NSAIDs

Proton Pump Inhibitors

Ways to Treat Tinnitus

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) includeantibiotics, 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 thatselective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), a type of antidepressant that increasesserotonin(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 aretricyclic antidepressantsand SSRIs.These include:

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:

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

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 for tinnitus, especially in older adults. Certain blood pressure medications are associated with hearing loss and tinnitus:

7. Certain Groups of Antibiotics

Antibiotics treat bacterial infections. Aminoglycosides are broad-spectrum antibiotics commonly used in hospital settings. 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:

8. 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.

Platinum-based drugs, such as cisplatin and, to a lesser extent, carboplatin and oxaliplatin, are the primary chemotherapeutic drugs that can damage the ear. However, taxane drugs (another class of chemotherapy drug) can also affect hearing.Taxane drugs include Taxol (paclitaxel) and Taxotere (docetaxel)

In one study of 273 individuals (mostly women), both platinum-based and taxane-containing drug regimens (used alone and combined) resulted in tinnitus in about 37% to 40% of participants.

When receiving treatment, you should get regular hearing exams to identify any damage at an early stage to prevent it from worsening.

9. Isotretinoin

10. 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.

In one study, more frequent use (six to seven days per week) of moderate-dose aspirin (greater than 325 milligrams per day) was associated with a higher risk of tinnitus, mainly in women younger than 60. 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.

11. 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. However, in some cases, it can last for a longer time or become permanent, mainly if the drug is ototoxic (a drug that has a toxic effect on the ear or nerves).

How Long Does Drug-Induced Tinnitus Last?

Drug-induced tinnitus is temporary and usually goes away after stopping the medication. However, in some cases, it can last for a longer time or become permanent, mainly if the drug is ototoxic (a drug that has a toxic effect on the ear or nerves).

There are several ways to improve the symptoms of tinnitus. Below are some of the treatments that may help:

Summary

Ototoxicity, such as hearing loss or tinnitus, can be a side effect of many drugs. In most cases, these side effects are temporary or reversible. The symptoms will improve after you stop taking the medication, but you should not stop taking any medication without speaking to a healthcare provider first.

Some risk factors, such as exposure to loud noise or taking medications at very high doses or for a long time, may increase the risk. In case of extreme discomfort, ask your healthcare provider for an alternative medicine or dose reduction.

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