Gabapentin: Tinnitus, Hearing Loss, Ototoxicity (Cause or Treatment?)

Gabapentin is a commonly-used medication for the treatment of neuropathic pain (e.g. peripheral neuropathy), restless leg syndrome, and seizure prevention & management – as well as other conditions like anxiety disorders & substance use disorders (off-label). Although many find gabapentin effective as a treatment for the aforementioned medical conditions, some are concerned about the drug …

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Can Alprazolam (Xanax) Cause Tinnitus & Hearing Loss?

Alprazolam (Xanax) is a benzodiazepine commonly prescribed for the acute treatment of anxiety disorders such as panic disorder and generalized anxiety disorder. From each year between 2004-2019, the number of annual prescriptions for alprazolam in the U.S. ranged between 17-29 million. While alprazolam is regarded as being very effective for the management of anxiety, some …

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Amoxicillin Tinnitus & Hearing Loss: Ototoxic Drug of Concern?

Amoxicillin was discovered in 1958 and used medically in 1972 – and remains among the most commonly prescribed antibiotics due to its low cost and safety profile. It is a moderate-spectrum, bacteriolytic, beta-lactam antibiotic of the aminopenicillin family – prescribed to treat susceptible Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria causing: middle ear infection; strep throat; pneumonia; skin …

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Famotidine (Pepcid): Tinnitus, Hearing Loss, Ototoxicity

Pepcid (Famotidine) is a popular over-the-counter (OTC) medication that functions as an H2 receptor antagonist (i.e. H2 blocker) to decrease stomach acid production. Due to its rapid tolerance onset, Pepcid is most commonly used intermittently or on an “as needed” basis to manage heartburn (i.e. acid reflux), acid indigestion, and sour stomach. Occasionally Pepcid is …

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Doxycycline Tinnitus & Hearing Loss: An Ototoxic Antibiotic?

Doxycycline is a broad-spectrum antibiotic of the “tetracycline” class used to treat a variety of bacterial infections and some parasites. Conditions commonly treated by doxycycline, include: acne; bacterial pneumonia; chlamydia; Lyme disease; cholera; typhus; and syphilis.  It is also used to prevent malaria in conjunction with quinine. If you were prescribed doxycycline by a medical …

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Azithromycin & Hearing Loss: An Ototoxic Antibiotic?

Azithromycin (i.e. Zithromax) is an antibiotic used to treat various bacterial infections (gram-positive, gram-negative, and atypical). Azithromycin is on the World Health Organization’s List of Essential Medicines, costs about $4 for a standard course of treatment, and remains one of the most-prescribed antibiotic medications in the United States. Despite the fact that azithromycin is extremely …

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