Will Gabapentin Worsen Tinnitus Caused by SSRI Medication (Citalopram)?

[ellees]

Hello,

I have been experiencing tinnitus for the past 4 months after taking Citalopram (an SSRI) for 5 days. While the tinnitus has reduced from its initial onset, it hasn't gone away completely. I think I may be prescribed a medication like Gabapentin for the chronic pain I've been experiencing, but I'm terrified that it will worsen my medication-induced tinnitus.

Does anyone have any experience with taking Gabapentin after SSRI-induced tinnitus? Did Gabapentin make your tinnitus worse, or did it have no effect on your tinnitus?

Thanks!

 

[cullenbohannon]

I'm sorry to hear about your concerns. I have been taking Gabapentin along with SSRI/SNRIs for many years, and it has not affected my tinnitus. Just to let you know, my tinnitus was not caused by medication. I understand the fear of starting a new medication while worrying about the impact on tinnitus. This has been my experience, for what it's worth. Good luck!

 

[kingsfan]

Gabapentin might or might not affect your tinnitus. I've seen people report both that it does and that it doesn't. I take it on and off. When I first tried it, it spiked me temporarily. But each subsequent try over the next year resulted in less and less spikes. Now I can take it without any issue.

I would say try the lowest dose you possibly can and measure your results. Very slowly taper up. Maybe try 100 mg at night for a few weeks. Then 100 mg in the morning and night for a few more weeks. Then 100 mg in the morning, afternoon, and night time. That should get you up to the minimum clinically significant dose of 300 mg/day.

 

[Nick47]

Did Gabapentin make your tinnitus worse, or did it have no effect on your tinnitus?

If anything, Gabapentin slightly reduces the tinnitus.

 

[ellees]

Gabapentin might or might not affect your tinnitus. I've seen people report both that it does and that it doesn't. I take it on and off. When I first tried it, it spiked me temporarily. But each subsequent try over the next year resulted in less and less spikes. Now I can take it without any issue.

I would say try the lowest dose you possibly can and measure your results. Very slowly taper up. Maybe try 100 mg at night for a few weeks. Then 100 mg in the morning and night for a few more weeks. Then 100 mg in the morning, afternoon, and night time. That should get you up to the minimum clinically significant dose of 300 mg/day.

Was your tinnitus medication induced?

 

[kingsfan]

Was your tinnitus medication induced?

Noise induced.