The Management and Outcomes of Pharmacological Treatments for Tinnitus

Title:The Management and Outcomes of Pharmacological Treatments for Tinnitus

Volume: 13 Issue: 5

Author(s): Devon Beebe Palumbo, Kathleen Joos, Dirk De Ridder and Sven Vanneste

Affiliation:

Keywords: Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE), anticonvulsants, antidepressants, benzodiazepines, COX2, cyclooxygenase (COX)1, glutamate antagonists, tinnitus, vitamins.

Abstract: Tinnitus, a phantom sensation experienced by people around the world, currently is endured without a known cure. Some find the condition tolerable, while others are tortured on a daily basis from the incessant phantom noises. For those who seek treatment, oftentimes, they have a comorbid condition (e.g., depression, anxiety, insomnia), which is treated pharmaceutically. These products aim to reduce the comorbities associated with tinnitus thereby minimizing the overall burden present. Because of the phantom nature of tinnitus, it is often compared to neurologic pain. Since pain can be managed with pharmaceutical options, it is reasonable to assume that similar agents might work to alleviate tinnitus. The effects of antidepressants, benzodiazepines, anticonvulsants, and glutamate antagonists are reviewed in this paper. Table 1 summarizes the pharmaceutical products discussed. Due to the variety of comorbid factors and potential causes of tinnitus, there may not be one pharmaceutical treatment that will combat every type of tinnitus. Nevertheless, a product that finally addresses the true cause of tinnitus, and not just its comorbidities, will benefit millions of people worldwide.

Cite this article as:

Beebe Palumbo Devon, Joos Kathleen, De Ridder Dirk and Vanneste Sven, The Management and Outcomes of Pharmacological Treatments for Tinnitus, Current Neuropharmacology 2015; 13 (5) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1570159X13666150415002743