Use of Alprazolam (Xanax) for Relief of Tinnitus — Post Your Experiences

[CDNThailand]

I found this article on PubMed. Looks like Xanax provides tinnitus relief?

Use of alprazolam for relief of tinnitus. A double-blind study

Any experience with Xanax?

 

[Mithrandir]

Xanax can help tinnitus/hyperacusis but one side effect of Xanax is tinnitus/hyperacusis

 

[jacob21]

For me Xanas was a nightmare. It helped my tinnitus only for the first week and then I developed hyperacusis from taking it. I stopped takig it and switched back to Clonazepam, after which the hyperacusis went away.

You have to take Xanax every 6-8 hours. You become very addicted. Very short half life.

Clonazepam, once at bedtime is enough because it has a longer half life.

But sincerely, if you can avoid benzos, that would be better. Withdrawal is not easy with any benzo. I know what I am talking about.

 

[John B.]

I was prescribed Xanax early on for anxiety related to my tinnitus. I ended up using it mostly for sleep, which it really helped me with. I never took more than two 0.5mg tabs a day - eventually breaking the tablets in half and taking 0.25mg at a time. I eventually stopped taking them as I didn't want to get addicted - but took 0.25mg about 4 days ago because I couldn't get to sleep. When I woke, my tinnitus was quite low - which I guess I would attribute to lower anxiety.

I'm definitely finding a direct correlation between my tinnitus and anxiety / stress / depression. I started meditating about 10 days ago and am seeing some benefit.

 

[tiniturtle]

It does work to calm the tinnitus. It's not a long term solution though.

 

[hans799]

It's very effective as a temporary measure when you're having a bad spike.

The doctor told me that 0.5 mg no more than twice a week is safe, any more than that risks addiction - and one of the withdrawal symptoms is more tinnitus.

So it's valuable but must be used sparingly.

 

[GBB]

I took 0.5 mg Alprazolam today for the first time - what a godsend. I know I can only take it sporadically but it cut my tinnitus by 80%. I feel so normal - it is wonderful.

 

[DRobi]

I am 30 days into my tinnitus journey/nightmare. I was prescribed Xanax, 0.5 mg 2x day, by my GP for anxiety caused by tinnitus. I have to say that it does really help me. Takes the edge off and lowers the volume a couple of clicks for a few hours, which is great when you just need some sort of break from the constant noise. However, benzos are very addictive, and the GP will cut me off at a 30 day supply.

I just had my ENT and audiology exam yesterday, and I have confirmed high frequency presbycusis, or age-related (I am 65) hearing loss. Not bad enough for hearing aids, but I have a confirmed cochlear deficit, and thus an organic reason for my tinnitus, which is a common co-morbidity with presbycusis. Unlike most ENTs, my guy was at least compassionate about it. He said he has had tinnitus for 30 years after playing in bands and riding a motorcycle; and that it is a minor annoyance to him, and that I too will habituate to it. However, he also added that the actual medical evidence (e.g., double blind studies in peer reviewed journals) shows that anxiolytics (e.g., Xanax) and antidepressants (e.g., Lexapro) are the ONLY proven drugs to actually provide some relief to tinnitus sufferers. He said they don't really cut the tinnitus down so much as they let you accommodate to it better. He also said that neither class of drugs has been shown to be ototoxic at all. So there you have it.

 

[TinniGone]

In my case, Xanax has been a miracle drug. It is very beneficial in lowering tinnitus but must be taken in small doses and it takes time to kick-in properly.

It can cause tinnitus if taken in high doses and then abruptly stopped.

It must be taken under the guidance of a doctor.

 

[Ken219]

In my case, Xanax has been a miracle drug. It is very beneficial in lowering tinnitus but must be taken in small doses and it takes time to kick-in properly.

It can cause tinnitus if taken in high doses and then abruptly stopped.

It must be taken under the guidance of a doctor.

Xanax, Prozac and Ambien have been a godsend for me. I have been taking the cocktail for 27 years, under a doctor's supervision. I do get spikes but I'm still here praying for better treatments or a cure.

 

[Ctjbush]

I have had severe tinnitus on and off for nearly 5 years. My biggest problem is that the noise makes sleeping difficult so I take Benadryl to help.

My doctor prescribed Xanax but I'm reluctant to take it because of the addiction threat.

My tinnitus is annoying during the day so I try to occupy my mind in some manner to take my mind off the high-pitched buzz.

I'm 72 and tired of noise and sleep problems. I wear hearing aids.

Any tips, thoughts? Thanks.

 

[Michael1122]

Xanax is a miracle drug. I had really loud tinnitus in my right ear during the start of COVID-19 and finally asked my doctor for Xanax to help me calm down and sleep. It really worked. The Xanax helped me not focus on the tinnitus and helped me fall asleep.

 

[DimLeb]

Xanax is a miracle drug. I had really loud tinnitus in my right ear during the start of COVID-19 and finally asked my doctor for Xanax to help me calm down and sleep. It really worked. The Xanax helped me not focus on the tinnitus and helped me fall asleep.

Did it reduce the actual level of tinnitus or just the distress? What happened long term?

 

[Michael1122]

Did it reduce the actual level of tinnitus or just the distress? What happened long term?

It did not reduce the actual level of tinnitus, just the distress.

Long term... I would take it religiously at bedtime to sleep. I gradually stopped taking it every night because the tinnitus started to taper off at night. Why it started to subside at night, I don't know? Now I very rarely take it at night because my tinnitus has somewhat gone away (although today it was around).

 

[Barry098]

The doctor told me that 0.5 mg no more than twice a week is safe, any more than that risks addiction

That sounds like a smart doctor. Xanax is very helpful when you are ready to step in front of a bus but it isn't a long term solution. I also realized that, although it brings the volume down while I'm on it, my ears ring louder for a few dates after taking it. I also seem to have some memory holes around the times that I have used it. I apparently had phone conversations with a friend for which I have no recollection. It will pretty much be for emergency use for me now.