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Can Z-Pak Be Taken For Severe Tinnitus?

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Posted on Sat, 5 Nov 2016
Question: I have severe tinnitus and ears are very plugged. May have fluid in inner ear. Would a z pack help any? What do you recommend?
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Answered by Dr. Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh (2 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Please get ears checked by Ear Nose Throat doctor.

Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome,

I'm sorry you feel your ears are plugged in addition to the tinnitus.

I would not recommend taking azithromycin (Zpack) without first knowing whether there is an infection in your middle ear.

My reasons are as follows:
1. Every medicine has side effect risks, and an antibiotic such as azithromycin can cause stomach problems and diarrhea as well as other things.
2. Taking Zpack without having a very strong reason for doing so (such as pneumonia) leads to development of resistant microorganisms which can cause infections where antibiotics will not work. So when you really need it, it may not work for you.
3. If there is a bacterial infection in your ear, it is important for that to be noted, rather than just experimentally try drugs to see if there was an infection.

So: please go in to a doctor to have them look at your ears before trying an antibiotic for it. For a quick look to see if there is an ear infection you can see your primary care doctor, but given the ongoing tinnitus, you really need to see an ENT doctor (otolaryngologist) who specializes in tinnitus.
Note: Consult an experienced Otolaryngologist / ENT Specialist online for further follow up on ear, nose, and throat issues - Book a Call now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :1991

Answered : 3134 Questions

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Can Z-Pak Be Taken For Severe Tinnitus?

Brief Answer: Please get ears checked by Ear Nose Throat doctor. Detailed Answer: Hello and welcome, I'm sorry you feel your ears are plugged in addition to the tinnitus. I would not recommend taking azithromycin (Zpack) without first knowing whether there is an infection in your middle ear. My reasons are as follows: 1. Every medicine has side effect risks, and an antibiotic such as azithromycin can cause stomach problems and diarrhea as well as other things. 2. Taking Zpack without having a very strong reason for doing so (such as pneumonia) leads to development of resistant microorganisms which can cause infections where antibiotics will not work. So when you really need it, it may not work for you. 3. If there is a bacterial infection in your ear, it is important for that to be noted, rather than just experimentally try drugs to see if there was an infection. So: please go in to a doctor to have them look at your ears before trying an antibiotic for it. For a quick look to see if there is an ear infection you can see your primary care doctor, but given the ongoing tinnitus, you really need to see an ENT doctor (otolaryngologist) who specializes in tinnitus.