›› Tinnitus Articles

Your Prescription Drugs May Be Causing Your Tinnitus

No more whistling, chirping and ringing noises in your ears! How could this have happened? Did you know that there are drugs that cause tinnitus?

It's a fact that over 50% of all Americans are taking at least one prescription drug under a doctor's orders. conditions being treated include high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels, migraine headaches, depression, allergies and so on – way too many to list here. The chances are good that you are taking at least one prescription drug. Is the drug that you take one of the drugs that cause tinnitus as a side effect?

The surest way to find out about your prescription medication's side effects is to call your doctor. You can even do research on the internet.

I've researched several popular drugs – normally very effective and well tolerated – that can cause tinnitus. Don't be disappointed if your particular prescription isn't listed here – just email me here with the drug in question and I'll be glad to do the research for you!

• Imitrex Nasal Spray. Also known as Sumatriptan, Imitrex is a receptor subtype agonist, used in the treatment of migraine headaches. Simply put,Imitrex works by constricting blood vessels (vasoconstriction) to relieve that intense pain from a migraine headache. Imitrex may increase blood pressure – not good for tinnitus. Those with chronic vascular disease or heart conditions should be careful when using the drug. Of course, one of the side effects of Imitrex in tinnitus.

• Levaquin. Is in a class of drugs called quinolones and is usually prescribed to treat serious cases of bacterial infections of the lungs, skin and urinary tract. One of the major side effects of Levaquin is the rupture and injury of tendons – mainly in the elderly. Phototoxicity (sunburns and blistering sunburns) are another serious side effect. Tinnitus is another, irritating side effect of this drug.

• Lopressor. A beta blocker, used in the treatment of high blood pressure, angina (chest pain caused by blocked arteries in the heart) and heart attack. Lopressor is also used as a preventative for migraine headaches and the treatment of anxiety. Tinnitus is a common side effect of this medicine.

• Neurontin Capsules. Neurontin is an anti-epileptic medication that is also used to treat nerve pain from the herpes virus (shingles). Neurontin is a powerful drug that can have serious side effects relating to kidney disease, liver disease and heart disease. Count tinnitus as another possible side effect of this drug.

• Pepcid. Pepcid. (Famotidine)is a histamine-2 blocker that reduces the amount of acid in the stomach. Pepcid is used to prevent and treat ulcers of the stomach and intestines. Side effects of Pepcid may impair quick thinking and reaction time. Tinnitus is high on the list of possible side effects.
  

If you're taking any of the above drugs, do not stop taking it without consulting your physician! Talk to your doctor to determine if there may be an alternative medication that may not have tinnitus as a side effect. Then, maybe you can wake up, one day, tinnitus free!

Click here for my Free Report  "Get The Facts About Tinnitus." It's free, full of useful information (and very little fluff) and I will respect your privacy - I'll NEVER share your information with any third party! Just look near the upper left corner of this page!