The 'Love Hormone' (Oxytocin) May Quiet Tinnitus

[tracyNYC]

Didn't someone say the Primary Investigator (PI) retired?

Yes, @ploughna did.

 

[InNeedOfHelp]

Didn't someone say the Primary Investigator (PI) retired?

Yes he did. I emailed earlier and got Out of Office from both researchers saying they are no longer at NYU. I emailed the main email address for clinical trials later but received no response.

In the revision log it mentions Dr. Tamimi is now part of the research. According to LinkedIn he is still with NYU.

• The study protocol is published.
• https://clinicaltrials.gov/ProvidedDocs/10/NCT04210310/Prot_SAP_000.pdf
• Oxytocin intranasal is available in the EU but not in the US according to the researcher.
• It mentions Dr. Tamimi is now part of the research. According to LinkedIn he is still with NYU.
• As far as I can tell, the Oxytocin on prescription which requires keep-cool matches the Oxytocin used in the study, only the study variant has an added anti-nasal drip ingredient (PCCA Mucolox liquid base).
• Serious adverse event (1 out of 30-50 enrolled patients):
  
  While there is no evidence in the literature of the intranasal formulation of oxytocin specifically causing pulmonary edema, one of the participants enrolled into our study, has experienced this adverse event on the 40 IU four times daily dose. After 11 days at this dose, he noticed shortness of breath and decreased exercise tolerance. His chest x-ray and subsequent CT was consistent with mild pulmonary edema.
  
  I did see other case studies where pulmonary edema happened with intravenous Oxytocin at very high doses.

I suggest to read through the protocol. There is a very interesting chapter on how the study was formed, how they tried Oxytocin on two patients, how it reduced their tinnitus severity, and how the doses were increased etc.

Here is the case study of two patients which brought the lead researcher to start the clinical trial:

In patient 1, increasing the frequency to 30 IU (2 sprays in each nostril) TID reduced the intensity of the tinnitus for longer periods of time, but the intensity continued to increase before the next dosing period.

Ultimately, increasing the dosing to 45 IU (3 sprays) TID and then QID produced a dramatic and sustained improvement. His THI was reduced from 96 (catastrophic) to 16 (mild or no handicap); his tinnitus loudness decreased from 9-10/10 to 3-4/10, but more importantly, at the higher dose, his 2 year constant, unremitting tinnitus improved so that the perception of noise is present on only 6 or 7 days per month. He has no tinnitus on the other days. Unfortunately, the patient complained that his nostrils would drip for up to 30 minutes after each dose, which was not only embarrassing but made it difficult to ascertain if the entire dosage was being administered and absorbed. To simplify the dosing regimen, I had the spray reformulated so that each spray contained 45 IU and had a non-drip additive, Pcca Mucolox, added to the bottle. On 3 occasions, he was unaware that his medication was improperly stored, and each time, tinnitus recurred within 24 hours.

Patient 2's scores were reduced to a significant but lesser extent because the patient is unable to dose 4 times daily as instructed. Nonetheless, at 45 IU BID his THI decreased from 75 (severe handicap) to 18 (mild handicap) and tinnitus loudness decreased from 7/10 to 4/10 but remains constant. Neither patient experienced significant adverse effects or changes in their vital signs or serum sodium levels. Patient 2 occasionally reports burning in his nostril

Since the literature supported the relative safety of using higher doses, I decided to change the dosing in both of my patients, while monitoring serum electrolytes. In patient 1, increasing the frequency to 30 IU (2 sprays in each nostril) TID reduced the intensity of the tinnitus for longer periods of time, but the intensity continued to increase before the next dosing period. Ultimately, increasing the dosing to 45 IU (3 sprays) TID and then QID produced a dramatic and sustained improvement. His THI was reduced from 96 (catastrophic) to 16 (mild or no handicap); his tinnitus loudness decreased from 9-10/10 to 3-4/10, but more importantly, at the higher dose, his 2 year constant, unremitting tinnitus improved so that the perception of noise is present on only 6 or 7 days per month. He has no tinnitus on the other days. Unfortunately, the patient complained that his nostrils would drip for up to 30 minutes after each dose, which was not only embarrassing but made it difficult to ascertain if the entire dosage was being administered and absorbed. To simplify the dosing regimen, I had the spray reformulated so that each spray contained 45 IU and had a non-drip additive, Pcca Mucolox, added to the bottle. On 3 occasions, he was unaware that his medication was improperly stored, and each time, tinnitus recurred within 24 hours. Patient 2's scores were reduced to a significant but lesser extent because the patient is unable to dose 4 times daily as instructed. Nonetheless, at 45 IU BID his THI decreased from 75 (severe handicap) to 18 (mild handicap) and tinnitus loudness decreased from 7/10 to 4/10 but remains constant. Neither patient experienced significant adverse effects or changes in their vital signs or serum sodium levels. Patient 2 occasionally reports burning in his nostrils. We postulate that long term treatment with high-dose oxytocin may reduce the frequency and severity of tinnitus, the burden tinnitus symptoms cause patients, and improve their quality of life. However, since the 2 patients were treated with oxytocin compounded as 15 IU per spray, and doses were increased by 15 IU, I cannot be certain that a dose between 30 IU QID, the dose at which both patients initially reported improvement, and 45 IU QID, the dose that produced significant improvement, may have produced similar benefit.

 

[InNeedOfHelp]

I'm going to ask my doctor to have this prescribed and give it a go. Too bad there is little enthusiasm from the community. I find the results very promising:

• A Brazilian blinded study showing Oxytocin can improve tinnitus.
• A famous neurologist in the US who successfully treated two patients with severe tinnitus with Oxytocin and because of this initiated a trial.
• A Tinnitus Talk user who was in the trial in the US and is currently having a reduction of tinnitus because of Oxytocin.
• Medication that actually approved on market, the 'patented' formula only has something added to stop post nasal dripping. The real Oxytocin version is on prescription only and has to be cooled; as soon as it is uncooled it stops working.

 

[Diego LR]

I'm going to ask my doctor to have this prescribed and give it a go. Too bad there is little enthusiasm from the community. I find the results very promising:

• A Brazilian blinded study showing Oxytocin can improve tinnitus.
• A famous neurologist in the US who successfully treated two patients with severe tinnitus with Oxytocin and because of this initiated a trial.
• A Tinnitus Talk user who was in the trial in the US and is currently having a reduction of tinnitus because of Oxytocin.
• Medication that actually approved on market, the 'patented' formula only has something added to stop post nasal dripping. The real Oxytocin version is on prescription only and has to be cooled; as soon as it is uncooled it stops working.

But do we know the formula?

 

[Boone]

I got my GP to prescribe me nasal Oxytocin. The hard part was finding a compound pharmacy that would make it. I tried it for over a month, four sprays a day of 45 units (same as the NYU study).

Unfortunately, I saw little to no effect. I did not refill the drug after I ran out but I may give it a go again soon as I still have a refill available. Could be the compound pharmacy messed it up, it spoiled due to temperature (I tried to be as diligent as possible in keeping it cold) or it doesn't work for me.

I was really hoping to see the study results as to get an idea on what situation it DOES work so I can rule that modality out. I had no side effects, maybe a better mood. I would recommend people give this a try because it's cheap, available and has low side effects. Never know, it might give some people relief.

 

[David1260]

My doctor and I have tried 5 different supplements in an attempt to make my tinnitus tolerable.

After finding a link to this study on Oxytocin and tinnitus, I sent it to my doctor and asked him if I could try this.

He prescribed it from a compounding pharmacy. I take 3 sprays a day. I find it reduces the tinnitus to a level where it doesn't bother me. I am so pleased at the result, as I had been suffering with tinnitus.

I wanted to let posters know that my use of Oxytocin ultimately failed. I missed a dose (it was one puff three times a day) and it slowly stopped working for me. I don't know that the missed dose was the cause. So I'm not using it anymore.

 

[Isabella 123]

I wanted to let posters know that my use of Oxytocin ultimately failed. I missed a dose (it was one puff three times a day) and it slowly stopped working for me. I don't know that the missed dose was the cause. So I'm not using it anymore.

I'm sorry to learn this was not successful for you. Since we all have different causes for our tinnitus there's never going to be one cure that helps everybody.

 

[InNeedOfHelp]

I wanted to let posters know that my use of Oxytocin ultimately failed. I missed a dose (it was one puff three times a day) and it slowly stopped working for me. I don't know that the missed dose was the cause. So I'm not using it anymore.

The author wrote a significant difference when moving up to the trial defined dose. But we know treatments only work for a specific group of patients. Thank you for reporting back

 

[Paulmanlike]

This may seem rather bizarre, but a couple of years ago, I fell in love. My tinnitus went extremely low. I could not hear it. It was like that for about 2 months. It returned to baseline when my relationship developed and the day to day reality set in. It's not because I was actively not listening or too in love to care, I actually remember sitting there in a quiet room and hearing silence and wondering what I did to deserve this blessing. I wish it stayed like that, but it didn't.

My tinnitus can fluctuate but it had never virtually disappeared before for that long.

I believe this chemical is released when you're in love and think there is substance to it, well especially in my case.

 

[DimLeb]

This may seem rather bizarre, but a couple of years ago, I fell in love. My tinnitus went extremely low. I could not hear it. It was like that for about 2 months. It returned to baseline when my relationship developed and the day to day reality set in. It's not because I was actively not listening or too in love to care, I actually remember sitting there in a quiet room and hearing silence and wondering what I did to deserve this blessing. I wish it stayed like that, but it didn't.

My tinnitus can fluctuate but it had never virtually disappeared before for that long.

I believe this chemical is released when you're in love and think there is substance to it, well especially in my case.

Who knows. Tinnitus works in mysterious ways, so that may as well had happened.

 

[Joey Lodes]

I'm going to ask my doctor to have this prescribed and give it a go. Too bad there is little enthusiasm from the community. I find the results very promising:

• A Brazilian blinded study showing Oxytocin can improve tinnitus.
• A famous neurologist in the US who successfully treated two patients with severe tinnitus with Oxytocin and because of this initiated a trial.
• A Tinnitus Talk user who was in the trial in the US and is currently having a reduction of tinnitus because of Oxytocin.
• Medication that actually approved on market, the 'patented' formula only has something added to stop post nasal dripping. The real Oxytocin version is on prescription only and has to be cooled; as soon as it is uncooled it stops working.

I've tried Oxytocin nasal spray. It didn't do squat for my tinnitus and insurance didn't cover it. It was approx $150 for a single bottle. It may help others but did nothing for me. Good luck.

 

[Fields]

This may seem rather bizarre, but a couple of years ago, I fell in love. My tinnitus went extremely low. I could not hear it. It was like that for about 2 months. It returned to baseline when my relationship developed and the day to day reality set in. It's not because I was actively not listening or too in love to care, I actually remember sitting there in a quiet room and hearing silence and wondering what I did to deserve this blessing. I wish it stayed like that, but it didn't.

My tinnitus can fluctuate but it had never virtually disappeared before for that long.

I believe this chemical is released when you're in love and think there is substance to it, well especially in my case.

I went through a similar experience. My tinnitus got worse in 2023, while I was seeing someone.

Whenever I was with this person, though, my (worsened) tinnitus would be significantly less intrusive.

Pre-worsening, there wasn't any difference, however.

Wondering if I should try nasal Oxytocin.

 

[Joeseph Stope]

I went through a similar experience. My tinnitus got worse in 2023, while I was seeing someone.

Whenever I was with this person, though, my (worsened) tinnitus would be significantly less intrusive.

Pre-worsening, there wasn't any difference, however.

Wondering if I should try nasal Oxytocin.

Aaah! I take it that you mean romantic love rather than potency and libido. Well, we should leave no stone unturned in our search.

 

[Fields]

Aaah! I take it that you mean romantic love rather than potency and libido. Well, we should leave no stone unturned in our search.

Haha, yes, I meant it in the romantic sense. During other related activities I would barely notice my tinnitus at all.

It turns out that Oxytocin is slightly hard to obtain here, though. There are workarounds, but I need 1 entire bottle per day in order to adhere to the 45 IU 4 times daily regimen.