Does Tinnitus Caused by Escitalopram (SSRI) Ever Go Away?

[Beng50]

I live in the UK. My Specialist Psychiatrist prescribed me Escitalopram SSRI to help cure my Chronic Insomnia, although I am not actually suffering from depression.

I took one 5mg tablet each morning for only 5 days but on the 5th day noticed awful tinnitus so immediately stopped taking the tablets. My Psychiatrist then advised me the tinnitus would fade away as I had discontinued the drug. I have been drinking lots of water and taking laxatives to get the drug out of my system and have now not taken a tablet for 7 days.

However the tinnitus has not stopped. Does tinnitus caused by Escitalopram fade away and if so over what period of time? Is there anything else I can be do to help the drug get out of my system?

 

[Dr. Nagler]

Hello @Beng50 -

The half-life of escitalopram (Lexapro) is on the order of 30 hours. Most should be completely out of your system within a week of discontinuing the drug. In terms of tinnitus, I would give it longer - say two to three weeks. Escitalopram does not cause auditory damage, which means that if your tinnitus has not resolved within a couple of more weeks, then likely the escitalopram was not the cause in the first place.

Sending good thoughts your way -

Stephen M. Nagler, M.D.