HealthCareMagic is now Ask A Doctor - 24x7 | https://www.askadoctor24x7.com

question-icon

What Is The Cause And Treatment For Tinnitus?

default
Posted on Tue, 16 Dec 2014
Question: I have tinnitus I recently was given a prescription of 500mg ciprofloxacin twice daily for 10 days after 2 days my tinnitus started spiking I called my doctor he told me to stop medication and prescribed 250 mg of metronidazole 3 times a day I am in the 2nd day and my tinnitus is spiking I am concerned about further ear damage what do you suggest I do as far as these medications are they ototoxic and by taking either can I possibly damage my ears
doctor
Answered by Dr. Sumit Bhatti (10 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Not likely to worsen Tinnitus.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Thank you for your query.

1. Ciprofloxacin is not ototoxic.

2. Metronidazole is very rarely ototoxic.

3. Both these medications should not worsen your hearing.These are very widely used antibiotics.

4. Your Tinnitus is likely to be worse due to some other reason, such as dehydration or potentiation of action of some other supportive medication.

If you have any more questions I will be available to answer them.

Regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
default
Follow up: Dr. Sumit Bhatti (4 minutes later)
Should I take one over the other or do you feel they are both acceptable
doctor
Answered by Dr. Sumit Bhatti (2 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Yes, you can take them together.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Thank you for writing back.

1. Both these are safe to take together.

2. There are also tablets and suspensions (for children) available with a combination of these two / similar medications.

If you have any more questions I will be available to answer them.

Regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
default
Follow up: Dr. Sumit Bhatti (4 minutes later)
Just curious to why when I stopped taking the ciprofloxacin the tinnitus went down and when I started taking the metronidazole it went up missed one dose of the metronidazole went down started taking again went up.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Sumit Bhatti (24 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Stop the medication as soon as possible.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Thank you for writing back.

1. If this is a side effect, it may be due to other additives, stabilizers, coloring agents, fillers, binders and so on which are common to many tablets.

2. The effect on your tinnitus is reversible, hence stop these medications a s soon a possible.

3. Fluctuating blood sugar levels may also be the cause. Hence there are many such variations which may be the cause.

If you have any more questions I will be available to answer them.

Regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
default
Follow up: Dr. Sumit Bhatti (16 hours later)
I need to take this medication either one or the other for a case of mild diverticulitus your previous response is to stop medication immediately my main concern is further ear damage if your telling me this is a distinct possibility I will have to call my doctor and let him know about my concerns if I keep taking them will I worsen my tinnitus maybe permanently
doctor
Answered by Dr. Sumit Bhatti (16 hours later)
Brief Answer:
No, not immediately, but as soon as possible.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Thank you for writing back.

1. No, you do not have to stop the medication immediately. The treatment of the diverticulitis is important. Your doctor has to decide the benefit to risk ratio as will all medication.

2. As per this dictum, medication should be discontinued as soon as the maximum possible benefit is achieved.

3. Your tinnitus seems to be reversible and hence this short term treatment should not be a problem.

If you have any more questions I will be available to answer them.

Regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
default
Follow up: Dr. Sumit Bhatti (7 hours later)
Just to be clear in your opinion you feel my ears will not be damaged by the medication and the spike in my tinnitus while taking them is temporary and will subside after I stop taking them
doctor
Answered by Dr. Sumit Bhatti (3 hours later)
Brief Answer:
No prediction is possible.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Thank you for writing back.

1. There is no predictive test to determine if your tinnitus will worsen or not with the medication.

2. These medications are used by millions of people around the world with no such effects.

3. Thus the risk of a permanent worsening of tinnitus must be kept in mind when evaluating the benefit expected from these medications regarding you mild diverticulitis.

4. As such your present history suggests a reversible tinnitus after discontinuing the medications.

If you have any more questions I will be available to answer them.

Regards.
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Sumit Bhatti

Otolaryngologist / ENT Specialist

Practicing since :1991

Answered : 2686 Questions

premium_optimized

The User accepted the expert's answer

Share on

Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties

159 Doctors Online

By proceeding, I accept the Terms and Conditions

HCM Blog Instant Access to Doctors
HCM Blog Questions Answered
HCM Blog Satisfaction
What Is The Cause And Treatment For Tinnitus?

Brief Answer: Not likely to worsen Tinnitus. Detailed Answer: Hi, Thank you for your query. 1. Ciprofloxacin is not ototoxic. 2. Metronidazole is very rarely ototoxic. 3. Both these medications should not worsen your hearing.These are very widely used antibiotics. 4. Your Tinnitus is likely to be worse due to some other reason, such as dehydration or potentiation of action of some other supportive medication. If you have any more questions I will be available to answer them. Regards.