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Drug treatments

Last reviewed dd mmm yyyy. Last edited dd mmm yyyy

Authoring team

Drugs have not been widely used for tinnitus, and there are no drugs that are specifically licensed for the condition. Drugs that have been tried include:

  • lignocaine:
    • i.v. lignocaine infused over three to four minutes may give relief in cases of acoustic trauma and endolymphatic hydrops where cochlea damage exists
    • continuous infusion may rarely be indicated

  • benzodiazepines:
    • a single night-time dose is effective in patients who have difficulty in falling asleep because of tinnitus
    • in prescribing, one must also weigh up the likelihood of long-term dependence

  • anticonvulsants:
    • rarely used, but may be indicated in those with intolerable tinnitus who respond to a test injection of lignocaine

  • frusemide: yet to be confirmed as effective on a large scale

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