How does Retigabine work. Does it work to cure Tinnitus or alleviate the symptoms.
Do you have to take it consistently etc etc? How safe is it on the liver and kidney?
Thank you...
Ruben
Retigabine (like Trobalt) is an anti-seizure drug that works as a potassium channel inhibitor (I'm not a pharmacist or chemist, that's just what I've been told and what I've learned with a little research). Since your inner ear hairs cells transform the audio energy into neuro-electrical data via the select passage of potassium ions, then it also acts as an inhibitor to what may be hyperactivity in your cochlea (and, in theory, decreasing or mitigating T). One theory is that neuronal hyperactivity in the dorsal cochlear nucleus is a result of damaged inner ear hair cells and, therefore, one etiology of T.
Is it a cure? That's a 100 million dollar question. T has many etiologies and pathologies; so it might work for you (for example) but not for me (if our specific T varies in cause and mechanics). Furthermore, it may actually mitigate yours (for example) or it may just decrease it.
Again, is it a cure? That would be like saying turning up the air conditioner during a heat wave is a cure for an incessant heat wave. It doesn't actually stop the heat wave but it mitigates the perceived sensation of heat. Personally, I would not call it a cure because the underlying (root) cause is not fixed, however, its affect might well be mitigated. So, if you like the air conditioning on a hot day...that's 'cure-like'
That being said, some have taken a round of Trobalt and their T is gone; again, I'm not a pharmacist or chemist so the best I can say is 'der uh what?'.
As far as the effects on your liver/kidney I would think not good (it's a powerful pharmaceutical); definitely ask your doc or pharmacist about that.
Anyways, that's what I've learned about it...
Hope that helps
Mark