Ototoxic Drugs: Drugs That Cause Tinnitus

[Falconfox]

Good list although it is missing drugs such as the Benzos: Valium, Ativan, etc and some of the Antihistamines like Citrizine in which all the H1 Blocker over the counter 3rd Gen drugs are Ototoxic. Even things like Vicks vapor rub with camphor is ototoxic and most cortisone creams.

@erik
I know this is a pretty old post but it was the only one I found that dealt with topical steroids being ototoxic. Everything I have read indicates that at most they can induce vertigo (specifically I was looking for Triamcinolone acetonide). Do you remember where you heard or found this?

 

[Beste]

I'm using Serouel for years but I'm a newbie on 100mg dose(almost 9 weeks) Can it be the cause of my T?

 

[Hotaru]

It doesn't make sense that after I stopped taking Zoloft I get tinnitus. I'm still unsure of the cause, although I'm pretty sure it was because of the upper respiratory infection and ear infection I got.

 

[JasonP]

These drugs are listed in the Physicians Daily Reference as causing tinnitus as a side effect. This information is provided as a service and you are advised to check the product literature supplied with the medications you are on.

Abelcet Injection (Liposome)
Accutane
Accutane Capsules
Aceon Tablets (2 mg, 4 mg, 8 mg)
Aciphex Tablets
Acromycin V
Actifed with Codiene Cough Syrup
Actiq (Anesta)
Actonel Tablets
Adalat CC
Aggrenox Capsules
Agrylin Capsules
Alferon N Injection (Interferon)
Alka-Seltzer Original Antacid and Pain Reliever Effervescent Tablets
Alka-Seltzer Cherry Antacid and Pain Reliever Effervescent Tablets
Alka-Seltzer Lemon Lime Antacid and Pain Reliever Effervescent Tablets
Alka-Seltzer Extra Strength Antacid and Pain Reliever Effervescent Tablets
Alka-Seltzer PM Effervescent Tablets
Alferon N
Alumadrine Tablets
Altace
Alumadrine Tablets
Ambien
Amerge Tablets
Amicar
Anatranil
Anaprox and Anaprox DS
Anestacon
Ansaid
Anzemet Injection
Anzemet Tablets
Aralen Injection
Aralen Tablets
Arithritis Strength BC Powder
Aricept Tablets
Aricept Tablets
Arthrotec Tablets
Asacol
Ascriptin A/D
Ascriptin
Asendin
Aspirin
Atacand HCT Tablets
Atretol
Atrofen
Atrovent Nasal Spray
Atrohist Plus
Avelox Tablets
Azactam Tablets
Azactam for Injection
Azo Gantanol
Azo Gantrisin
Azulfidine EN-tabs Tablet
BC Powder
Bactrim DS
Bactrim I.V.
Bactrim
Arthritis Strength BC Powder
Benadryl Parenteral
Betaxon Ophthalmic Suspension
Biaxin Filmtab Tablets
Biaxin for Oral Suspension
Biaxin XL Filmtab Tablets
Bicillin L-A Injection
Buprenex Injectable
Blocadren
BuSpar
Calan Tablets
Calan SR Caplets
Cama
Capastat Sulfate
Carbocaine Hydrochloride
Carbatrol Capsules
Cardene
Cardioquin
Cardizem
Cardura
Cartrol
Cataflam
Celebrex Capsules
Celebrex Capsules
Celexa Oral Suspension
Celexa Tablets
CellCept Capsules
CellCept Intravenous
CellCept Oral Suspension
CellCept Tablets
Cerebyx Injection
Chibroxin Sterile Ophthalmic Solution
Childrens Advil
Cibalith-S
Cinobac
Cipro I.V.
Cipro Tablets
Cipro Oral Suspension
Claritin Reditabs
Claritin Syrup
Claritin Tablets
Claritin-D 12 Hour Extended Release Tablets
Claritin-D 24 Hour Extended Release Tablets
Clinoril
Clomid Tablets
Cognex Capsules
Colazal Capsules
Copaxone for Injection
Coreg Tablets
Corgard
Corzide
Cosopt Sterile Ophthalmic Solution
Covera-HS Tablets
Cozaar Tablets
Cuprimine
Cytotec
Cytovene Capsules
Cytovene-IV
Dalgan
Dapsone USP
Daranide Tablets
DaunoXome Injection
Daypro
Dasprin
Deconamine
Demadex
Depacon Injection
Depakene Capsules
Depakene Syrup
Depakote Sprinkle Capsules
Depakote Tablets
Depakote ER Tablets
Depen Titratable Tablets
Desferal Vials
Desyrel & Desyrel Dividose
Diamox Intravenous
Diamox Sequels Sustained Release Capsules
Diamox Tablets
Diovan HCT Tablets
Dilacor XR
Dipentum Capsules
Diprivan
Disalcid Capsules
Disalcid Tablets
Dolobid Tablets
Doxil Injection
Duraclon Injection
Duranest Injections
Dynabac Tablets
Dyphenhydramine [Nytol, Benydrl, etc]
Dyclone
Easprin
Ecotrin
Edecrin
Effexor Tablets
Effexor XR Capsules
ELA-Max Cream
Elavil
Eldepryl
Emcyt
Emla cream
Empirin with Codiene
Erythromycin
Engerix-B
Equagesic
Esgic-plus
Eskalith
Ethmozine
EtrafonEvoxac Capsules
Excedrin Extra-Strength Tablets, Caplets, and Geltabs
Exelon Capsules
Exelon Oral Solution
Fansidar
Feldene Capsules
Fioricat with Codeine
Flexeril Tablets
Floxin
Flumadine Syrup
Flumadine Tablets
Fortovase Capsules
Foscavir
Furosemide Tablet
Fungijzone
Gabitril Filmtab Tablets
Ganite
Gantanol
Gantrisin
Garamycin
Gastrocrom Oral Concentrate
Gengraf Capsules
Geodon Capsule
Glauctabs
HIVID Tablets
Halcion Tablets
Hyperstat
Hytrin Capsules
Hytrin
Hyzaar 50-12.5 Tablets
Hyzaar 100-25 Tablets
Ibuprofen
Ilosone
Imitrex Nasal Spray
Imdur
Indocin Capsules
Indocin Oral Suspension
Indocin Suppositories
Intron A
Infergen
Invirase Capsules
Isoptin SR Tablets
Kerlone Tablets
Lariam
Lamictal Tablets
Lamictal Chewable
Lasix
Legatrin
Levaquin Injection
Levaquin Tablets
Lexxel Tablets
Lncocin
Lidoderm Patch
Lipitor Tablets
Lipitor Tablets
Lioresal
Lithane
Lithium Carbonate
Lithobid Slow-Release Tablets
Lithonate
Lodine Capsules
Lodine Tablets
Lodine XL Extended-Release Tablets
Lopressor Ampuis
Lopressor DCT
Lopressor
Lotensin HCT Tablets
Lotrel Capsules
Loreico
Lupron Depot
Luvox Tablets
Ludiomil
Magnevist
Marinol (Dronabinol)
Marcaine Hydrochloride
Marcaine Spinal
Maxalt Tablets
Maxalt-MLT Orally Disintegrating Tablets
Maxaquin Tablets
Mazicon
Meclomen
Marcaine Hydrochloride
Marcaine Spinal
Meridia Capsules
Mazicon
Meclomen
Methergine
Methotrexate
Mexitil Capsules
Miacalcin Nasal Spray
Micardis HCT Tablets
Micardis Tablets
Midamor Tablets
Migranal Nasal Spray
Minipress Capsules
Minizide Capsules
Mintezol Suspension
Mintezol Chewable Tablets
Mirapex Tablets
Mobic Tablets
Moduretic Tablets
Momentum Backache Relief Extra Strength Caplets
Monopril Tablets
Motrin Suspension, Oral Drops, Chewable Tablets
Mono-Cesac
Mustargen for Injection
Mykrox Tablets
MZM
Myobloc Injectable Solution
Nalfon Capsules
Nadolol Tablets
Naprelan Tablets
Naprosyn Suspension
Naprosyn Tablets
Naropin Injection
Nebcin Vials, Hyporets & ADD-Vantage
Neoral Soft Gelatin Capsules
Neoral Oral Solution
Neptazane Tablets
Nescaine Injection
Nesacaine-MPF Injection
Neurontin Capsules
Neurontin Oral Solution
Neurontin Tablets
Netromycin
Nexium Delayed-Release Capsules
Nicorette
Nipent for Injection
Nipride
Nipent for Injection
Noroxin Tablets
Norpramin Tablets
Norvasc Tablets
Norvir Capsules
Norvir Oral Solution
Omniscan [less than 1%]
Ornade Spansule Capsules
Orthoclone OOKT3 Sterile Solution
Orudis Capsules
Oruvail Capsules
OxyContin Tablets
P-A-C Analgesic
PBZ
Pamelor
Parnate Tablets
Paxil Oral Suspension
Paxil Tablets
Pedia-Profen
Pediazole Suspension
Penetrex Tablets
Pepcid Injection
Pepcid Injection Premixed
Pepcid for Oral Suspension
Pepcid RPD Orally Disintegrating Tablets Pepcid Tablets
Pepto-Bismol Maximum Strength Liquid
Pepto-Bismol Original Liquid, Original and Cherry Tablets and Easy-To-Swallow Caplets
Periactin Tablets
Permax Tablets
Phenergan Injection
Phenergan Suppositories
Phenergan Tablets
Phrenilin Forte Capsules
Phrenilin Tablets
Piroxicam [1-3%]
Plaquenil Tablets
Platinol-AQ Injection
Plendil
Pletal Tablets
Pletal Tablets
Polocaine Injection, USP
Polocaine-MPF Injection, USP
Pontocaine Hydrochloride
Ponstel Kapseals
Prilosec Delayed-Release Capsules
Primaxin I.M.
Primaxin I.V.
Prevacid Delayed-Release Capsules
Prevpak
Prinivil Tablets
Prinzide Tablets
Procardia Capsules
Procardia Tablets
Prograf
ProSom
Protonix Tablets
Proventil HFA Inhalation Aerosol
Proventil Repetabs Tablets
Proventil Tablets
Prozac Pulvules & Liquid, Oral Solution
Prozac Pulvules, Liquid, and Weekly Capsules
Questran
Quinaglute Dura-Tabs Tablets
Quinamm
Quinidex Extentabs
Quinidine Gluconate Injection, USP
Q-vel Muscle Relaxant Pain Reliever
Rapamune Oral Solution and Tablets
Recombivax HB
Relafen Tablets
Rheumatrex Methotrexate
Requip Tablets
Rescriptor Tablet
ReVia Tablets
Rifater
Risperdal Oral Solution
Risperdal Tablets
Romazicon Injection
Ru-Tuss
Rynatan Tablets
Rythmol Tablets
Salflex
Salagen Tablets
Sandimmune I.V. Ampuls for Infusion
Sandimmune Oral Solution
Sandimmune Soft Gelatin Capsules
Sandostatin LAR Depot
Sarafem Pulvules
Sedapap Tablets
Sensorcaine Injection
Sensorcaine with Epinephrine Injection
Sensorcaine-MPF Injection
Sensorcaine-MPF with Epinephrine Injection
Septra I.V. Infusion
Septra Suspension
Septra Grape Suspension
Septra Tablets
Septra DS Tablets
Seroquel Tablets
Serzone Tablets
Sinequan Capsules
Sinequan Oral
Soma Compound Tablets
Soma Compound w/Codeine Tablets
Sonata Capsules
Soriatane Capsules
Sporanox Capsules
Sporanox Oral Solution
Sporanox Oral Solution
Stadol NS Nasal Spray
Streptomycin Sulfate
Sular Tablets
Sulfadiazine
Surmontil Capsules
Sustiva Capsules
Talacen Caplets
Talwin Compound Caplets
Talwin Nx Tablet
Tambocor Tablets
Tarka Tablets
Tasmar Tablets
Tavist and Tavist-D
Tegretol Chewable Tablets
Tegretol Suspension
Tegretol Tablets
Tegretol-XR Tablets
Tenex Tablets
Temaril
Tenex
Teveten Tablets
Tequin Injection
Tequin Tablets
Thalomid Capsules
Thera-Besic
Thiosulfil Forte
Tiazac Capsules
Ticlid Tablets
Timolide Tablets
Timoptic in Ocudose
Timoptic Sterile Ophthalmic Solution
Timoptic-XE Sterile Ophthalmic Gel Forming Solution
TOBI Solution for Inhalation
Tobramycin
Tofranil
Tolectin 200 Tablets
Tolectin 600 Tablets
Tolectin DS Capsules
Tonocard Tablets
Topamax Sprinkle Capsules
Topamax Tablets
Toprol XL Tablets
Toradol IM Injection, IV Injection
Toradol Tablets
Torecan
Trexan
Triaminic
Tricor Capsules, Micronized
Triavil
Trileptal Tablets
Trilisate Liquid
Trilisate Tablets
Trinalin Repetabs
Trisenox Injection
Trovan I.V.
Trovan Tablets
Tussend Syrup
Tussend Tablets
Tympagesic Ear Drops
Ursinus
Ultram Tablets
Uniretic Tablets
Univasc Tablets
Vancocin HCI
Vancenase AQ Double Strength Nasal Spray 0.084%
Vancocin HCl Capsules & Pulvules
Vancocin HCl Oral Solution
Vancocin HCl, Vials & ADD-Vantage
Vantin Tablets and Oral Suspension
Vascor Tablets
Vaseretic Tablets
Vasotec I.V. Injection
Vasotec Tablets
Verelan Capsules
Verelan PM Capsules
Viagra Tablets
Vicoprofen Tablets
Vioxx Oral Suspension
Vioxx Tablets
Vistide Injection
Vivactil Tablets
Voltaren Tablets
Voltaren-XR Tablets
Wellbutrin Tablets
Wellbutrin SR Sustained-Release Tablet
Xanax Tablets
Xylocaine Injection
Xylocaine with Epinephrine Injection
Zagam Tablets
Zanaflex Tablets
Zebeta Tablets
Zestoretic Tablet
Zestril Tablets
Zestoretic [0.3-1%]
Ziac Tablets
Zithromax Capsules, 250 mg
Zithromax for IV Infusion
Zithromax for Oral Suspension, 300 mg, 600 mg, 900 mg, 1200 mg
Zithromax Tablets, 250 mg
Zoloft Oral Concentrate
Zoloft Tablets
Zomig Tablets
Zomig-ZMT Tablets
Zonegran Capsules
Zoleft
Zosyn
Zyloprim
Zyban Sustained-Release Tablets
Zyprexa Tablets
Zyprexa ZYDIS Orally Disintegrating Tablets
Zyrtec Syrup
Zyrtec Tablet

There is reports on the internet that Lexapro has caused tinnitus too and it is listed on rxlist.com that "ringing in your ears" is a "less serious side effect"

 

[volsung37]

Phenergan makes my T disappear for hours even though it is supposedly ototoxic. As an antihistamine it reduces inflammation which I believe is behind a lot of tinnitus.

 

[EddieMar]

I took Zoloft for 5 years, I quit cold turkey, this was in 2007 when I quit. I haven't taken it in 10 years. I developed Tinnitus last year. Could Zoloft be the cause of Tinnitus 10 years laters?

 

[Paul10]

I took Zoloft for 5 years, I quit cold turkey, this was in 2007 when I quit. I haven't taken it in 10 years. I developed Tinnitus last year. Could Zoloft be the cause of Tinnitus 10 years laters?

Doubt it. 10 years is a long time, the drugs will be long out of your system and surely any withdrawals would have been felt many years ago by now.

 

[Paul10]

It doesn't make sense that after I stopped taking Zoloft I get tinnitus. I'm still unsure of the cause, although I'm pretty sure it was because of the upper respiratory infection and ear infection I got.

Did your T go away whenever you restarted Zoloft? If you have I mean

 

[Paul10]

There are even instances where people participating in studies and prescribed the placebo (usually a sugar pill) complained of tinnitus as a side effect as well. Goes to show you never know what the cause of your tinnitus may or may not be or if it was some other reason or no reason at all. Caffeine is listed as ototoxic, as is Vicks Vapor Rub and Alcohol....and the list goes on.

Yup. Seems like everything brings on T. I think this points to T being primarily in the brain, and how we think really does cause physical effects. If you focus on your fingertip enough and genuinely imagine a pain in it, you'll probably eventually start to feel something. Some say everything from alcohol to valium to mdma causes T, others say it takes theirs away or lessens it. If it was cut and dry we'd all have the same effects.

 

[EddieMar]

I just bought a 798 page PDF 'book' listing all (maybe mostly all) ototoxic drugs -

"Ototoxic Drugs Exposed (3rd Edition): The Shocking Truth About Prescription Drugs, Medications, Chemicals and Herbals That Can (and Do) Damage Our Ears"

I wouldn't mind sharing it if anyone is interested, just shoot me a private message with your email and I'll send it out. It's 4MB.

 

[Zok]

I wonder which drugs are not ototoxic especially antibiotics usable for eliminating helico-bactery.

 

[linearb]

I wonder which drugs are not ototoxic especially antibiotics usable for eliminating helico-bactery.

before you go too nuts chasing down drugs for GERD symptoms, I would read this whole series; this kept me away from PPIs and antibiotics etc. It's a little woo and I make no claims that this will work for everyone, but it's fairly harmless to try...
https://chriskresser.com/what-everybody-ought-to-know-but-doesnt-about-heartburn-gerd/

 

[coldroses]

Has anyone had any experience with Lyrica (pregabalin) making tinnitus worse? Due to chronic neck pain suspected to be nerve-related, I was prescribed Lyrica two weeks ago and now have a drastic spike in tinnitus. I've come off what I was taking (50mg per day) to see if it indeed may have been the Lyrica tablets.

 

[Zok]

I do have GERD, but this is due to stomach hernia, and I hope sugery would be able to fix it. I do not plan to take those medications.

However, this doesn't have anything to do with gerd, it is for helicobacteries. And i need some kind of antibiotics if I want to get rid of it.

 

[Zok]

Has anyone had any experience with Lyrica (pregabalin) making tinnitus worse? Due to chronic neck pain suspected to be nerve-related, I was prescribed Lyrica two weeks ago and now have a drastic spike in tinnitus. I've come off what I was taking (50mg per day) to see if it indeed may have been the Lyrica tablets.

For pain I use meloxicame in small doses sometimes and it doesn't seem to cause any problem so far.

 

[coldroses]

For pain I use meloxicame in small doses sometimes and it doesn't seem to cause any problem so far.

Is that for nerve pain specifically?

 

[Zok]

No it is for pain in general.

 

[ruben ruiz]

the list is not complete. Blood pressure meds etc.

 

[ruben ruiz]

"Only a few drugs are ototoxic!" Is this a generalization in its entirety?

 

[Contrast]

6-months ago, I woke with tinnitus in one ear and significant loss of smell/taste. I had a MRI, which showed no tumors, and I saw two ENT's at Mayo-Dr. Breen and Dr. O'brien. Hearing test showed mod-severe loss. The ENT doctors set me up to see a Neurologist since is seems two nerve passages are affected. If you have any experience or knowledge of this condition please respond. I don't take any medications known to cause T.

wow... that's a deep neurological issue to lose both hearing and olfaction.

@JohnAdams

 

[JohnAdams]

6-months ago, I woke with tinnitus in one ear and significant loss of smell/taste. I had a MRI, which showed no tumors, and I saw two ENT's at Mayo-Dr. Breen and Dr. O'brien. Hearing test showed mod-severe loss. The ENT doctors set me up to see a Neurologist since is seems two nerve passages are affected. If you have any experience or knowledge of this condition please respond. I don't take any medications known to cause T.

Were you taking any medications????

 

[vermillion]

If alcohol & caffeine was indeed "ototoxic", than everybody in the world would suffer from tinnitus, hyperacusis, hearing loss and so on...
(...which would be a "positive" thing, because it would not be a rare disease, thus we would have all the big pharma guys' working their asses for us)

 

[RishRamsey]

What about Singulair (Montekulast)? I take it for Asthma. Any ideas anyone?

 

[all to gain]

What about Singulair (Montekulast)? I take it for Asthma. Any ideas anyone?

If you don't get an answer hear, check this website:

https://hearinglosshelp.com/

The guy is well up on ototoxic drugs and even has a book about it: https://www.amazon.com/Ototoxic-Dru...+G.+Bauman&s=books&sr=1-2&text=Neil+G.+Bauman

There may be an updated version on his website.

 

[PeteJ]

A "short list." Sure. It's pretty much every OTC medication in a pharmacy whether it's treating the common cold or a headache.

 

[BillB1234]

Wanted to add my experience with Topamax (Topiramate). I've been taking Topamax pills @ 75 mg daily for the past 4 years. Up to that dosage it never seemed to affect my tinnitus at all. (I take it for headaches caused by eyestrain in one eye and occasionally leaning on that nerve wrong in my neck.)

However, after about 9 months of using it, my doctor increased my dosage from 75 mg to 100 mg. THAT absolutely caused tinnitus side effects (along with several other side effects such as dizziness and some GI problems). However, the tinnitus it caused was different: my normal T is a high-pitched constant ringing (has been for many many years); the T that the increased Topamax dosage caused was more of a roaring or whooshing noise (along with my normal ringing noise, although the whooshing was louder). Nothing else changed then except for the Topamax dosage, so the tinnitus change was absolutely caused by the increased Topamax dosage.

We reduced my Topamax from 100 mg daily back to my previous 75 mg daily and the "whooshing" tinnitus went away almost immediately (by the next day or so), leaving just my "normal" ringing tinnitus behind.

 

[5atoshi]

You forgot to add Flintstone vitamins.