We use them very often and they can cause ringing in the ears (which is known as tinnitus). Do you ever take Aspirin? Ibuprofen? Tonic water? Look at the list of medications that can cause tinnitus.
When certain substances exert a harmful effect on the ear they are said to be orthototoxic substances. This is the case with many medications that we use on a daily basis without a care, but have been shown to cause tinnitus.
(Note: go to this article to read “What is tinnitus, its causes and treatments?“)
Lately, the consumption of these substances has increased in number and intensity due to the appearance of new drugs for pharmacological use. There is usually a direct relationship between the dose administered and the severity of the harm they generate.
The number of medications that can generate tinnitus will leave you speechless…
The American Tinnitus Association has published this list which includes more than 300 medications that describe tinnitus as one of their possible side effects.
Also, Stephen Epstein, head of vascular biology research at Washington’s MedStar Central Hospital and professor of medicine at Georgetown University has published this list with the 6 groups of medications that can cause tinnitus:
1. Salicylates
These are drugs with anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antipyretic properties, where acetylsalicylic acid is the most commonly used.
This is the case for Aspirin and products that contain Aspirin.
Their negative effects appear after consuming an average of 6-8 pills a day, and disappear once the treatment has finished.
2. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatories
These are a group of drugs widely used to treat pain, inflammation and fever.
This group includes medicines that are as well known and widely used such as Ibuprofen, Indomethacin, Diclofenac or Piroxicam.
Their effects appear after consuming an average of 6-8 pills a day, and usually disappear once the treatment has finished.
3. Antibiotics
Antibiotics are medicines used for the prevention and treatment of bacterial infections, such as Erythromycin, Streptomycin, Gentamicin and Neomycin.
These medications can cause tinnitus when used intravenously in severe situations.
4. Loop Diuretics
These are a group of drugs that act on the portion of the nephron called the Loop of Henle and treat hypertension, oedema caused by congestive heart failure, and kidney failure.
This is the case for drugs such as Lasix, Edecrin or Bumex.
These drugs can affect the ear when they are administered intravenously because of kidney failure or acute hypertension.
5. Chemotherapeutic agents
These are compounds that prevent the growth of microorganisms in the body, whilst trying to affect the patient as little as possible.
This is the case for Cisplatín, Nitrogen gas or Vincristine.
These drugs can cause tinnitus when administered as a cancer treatment.
Adverse effects may worsen in patients who were already taking other drugs such as some antibiotics and loop diuretics.
6. Quinine
Quinine is a natural alkaloid with antipyretic, antimalarial and analgesic properties and is responsible for providing that characteristically bitter taste in tonic water.
This is the case of Aralen, Atabrina (in the treatment of malaria), Legatrin or muscle relaxant Q-Vel Muscle Relaxant (for the treatment of cramps).
Its effects on the ear are very similar to that of Aspirin and are usually reversible once the treatment is over.
Although the percentage of cases in which tinnitus develops after taking these medications is small (around 3%), it is recommended that you visit your doctor if you notice the onset of sounds in your ear, pressure or tamponade, or a worsening of your already existing tinnitus. Your doctor will be able to examine your case and advise further.
References
- ATA. American Tinnitus Association
- HLAA. Hearing Loss Association of America
- ASHA. American Speech, Language and Hearing Association (2016)
- Acufenos Center of Buenos Aires (2014)
- The Journal of the American Tinnitus Association. Tinnitus Today (1996)
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