Erythromycin & Tinnitus

[Amelia]

This is generally seen as not ok for tinnitus sufferers, isn't it?

I've had a chest infection for about 4 weeks now. A lower dose of Amoxicillin seemed to help a little but now it's back again.

My GP has just prescribed Erythromycin - even after I said that I'd heard it affected ears. She said that it wouldn't and claimed it was another "mycin" drug which caused deafness.

This is also the GP who told me I should eat more salt as that can help tinnitus (insert eye roll here!)

Is there any literature from the ATA or something I could show her?

 

[yonkapin]

Have they tried Augmentin Duo on you yet? Amoxicillin & Clavulanic Acid, http://www.mydr.com.au/medicines/cmis/augmentin-duo-forte-tablets

This is what I usually get prescribed when I have an infection, it is significantly more effective than just Amoxicillin alone and I've used it 3 times now without any ill effects on my ears. They usually prescribe Augmentin Duo because Amoxicillin by itself usually doesn't do the job, according to the doctors who have prescribed it to me anyway.

So yeah, if you haven't tried that then maybe give it a go - the "mycin" type antibiotics are notorious for messing with the ears. Having said that though I'm pretty sure I've seen a couple members mention they were on "mycin" antibiotics without any ill effects on their hearing or tinnitus, but err on the side of caution I guess.

Also, are they sure you have infection and not a virus?

In the meanwhile get on some supplements and do whatever you can get things cleared up naturally, you might want to look at getting some NAC (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acetylcysteine) for this reason:

Mucolytic therapy
Inhaled acetylcysteine is indicated for mucolytic ("mucus-dissolving") therapy as an adjuvant in respiratory conditions with excessive and/or thick mucus production. Such conditions include emphysema, bronchitis, tuberculosis, bronchiectasis, amyloidosis, pneumonia, cystic fibrosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and pulmonary fibrosis. It is also used post-operatively, as a diagnostic aid, and in tracheotomy care. It may be considered ineffective in cystic fibrosis.[17] However, a recent paper in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences reports that high-dose oral acetylcysteine modulates inflammation in cystic fibrosis and has the potential to counter the intertwined redox and inflammatory imbalances in CF.[18] Oral acetylcysteine may also be used as a mucolytic in less serious cases.

For this indication, acetylcysteine acts to reduce mucus viscosity by splitting disulfide bonds linking proteins present in the mucus (mucoproteins). Furthermore, with respect to its use as a mucolytic agent in patients with COPD, it is hypothesized that acetylcysteine may exert additional beneficial effects through its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.[19]

Plus, NAC is possibly otoprotective.

Anyway, hope you feel better soon!

 

[Amelia]

Thanks @yonkapin! I'm not sure how the GP determined it was an infection rather than a virus, but I actually checked my diary and I've been sick for over a month now, so definitely time to seek another opinion.

I just really have a uncomfortable feeling about the scrip she gave, and while I don't like going behind her back and seeing another GP I think in this case I might have too

 

[attheedgeofscience]

This is generally seen as not ok for tinnitus sufferers, isn't it?

I can only re-emphasize what the Tinnitus Talk members above me have said. Aminoglycosides ("mycins") and Fluoroquinolones ("cipros") should be avoided like the plague for people who already have - or potentially have - damage to the inner ear.

She said that it wouldn't and claimed it was another "mycin"drug which caused deafness.

She is probably thinking of Vancomycin - "drug of last resort"... But all mycins are ototoxic (more so when given IV).

(insert eye roll here!)

Is there any literature from the ATA or something I could show her?

Plenty. I can/could even provide you with an example from "the real world" (and in the form of an audiogram, no less). Some months ago, a young woman in her twenties messaged me as she has had her hearing severely affected ever since being given a course of Streptomycin when she was four years old. She sent me a photo of her audiogram and it shows hearing loss of 60-80 d in a good part of the speech frequencies. I obviously cannot release the audiogram on a public forum (without her consent); I suppose I could "cut & paste" the audiogram itself (thereby not disclosing any personal details), but the point is more: "things" really do go wrong from time-to-time (and it isn't always just "horror stories" from the Internet!).

 

[jazz]

Erythromycin is a macrolide. It's the aminoglycosides that are well known for causing hearing damage. And @yonkapin is right about taking NAC, which might offer you protection in case you are concerned and aren't able to take another drug.

Here is information on NAC being used for antibiotic protection:

https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/n-acetylcysteine.395/page-2#post-49536​

You should also check out protocol for the clinical trial that uses antioxidants to protect from noise-induced hearing loss:

https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads...amage-by-use-of-antioxidants.1354/#post-50470​

If you decide to take NAC, please also consider other drugs you are taking and look for possible interactions. WebMD is usually a good source for this type of information. For the link to NAC, click here.

​

 

[UrbanBubblegum]

Hi there!

After spending two days in hospital I have been prescribed Erythromycin 250 mg four times a day for ten days.

As I am allergic to Tetracyclines (this includes Doxycycline) I have come to the understanding Erythromycin is my only option.

I appreciate prayers and support, and I am well aware this might impact my tinnitus and hearing, but please understand I am out of options

 

[UrbanBubblegum]

My GP was rather understanding. Told me to wait for the viral test result before starting Ery-Max. Seeing Ery-Max is my only option I think it makes sense to wait a bit. Agree?

Also, is there anyone here that has taken Ery-Max, then had their tinnitus starting or spiking, and made it (close to) baseline later on?

Mind you, I might be clutching straws here, I know. But hopefully you see my lack of options and the shit I'm in. Thanks

 

[GregCA]

My GP was rather understanding. Told me to wait for the viral test result before starting Ery-Max. Seeing Ery-Max is my only option I think it makes sense to wait a bit. Agree?

How long is "a bit"?

 

[PaulBe]

Oral low-ish dosing with Erythromycin is far less likely to do any harm. Higher doses given IV are a different story. That said if there is an alternative, you'd be well advised to take it.

 

[UrbanBubblegum]

How long is "a bit"?

Until my results came. They were negative. Still got lowish fever in the evening, body aches, slight cough with phlegm.

I guess my CRP is still higher than it should...

Oral low-ish dosing with Erythromycin is far less likely to do any harm. Higher doses given IV are a different story. That said if there is an alternative, you'd be well advised to take it.

The prescribed dose is 250 mg 4 times a day (morning, mid day, supper and evening). I have no other alternatives seeing the options for walking pneumonia are FQ and Tetras (both which I'm allergic to) and Macrolides. Pens have no effect on Mycoplasma.

I have not had good experience with Clindamycin and Azithromycin. Within an hour they make my tinnitus spike to the point I lose my mind.

I have no past experience with Erythromycin (Ery-Max). So, I guess I don't know for sure until I've started?