Some popular drugs that cause hearing loss (part two)
Last week’s article was about ototoxic drugs, drugs that cause hearing
loss. Among the most common listed in that article were aspirin,
non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or NSAIDs like ibuprofen,
indomethacin, naproxen and piroxicam, many antibiotics, and certain
diuretics. As extensive as that list was, it was not complete. This week’s
article adds to that list.
Some chemotherapeutic agents can be ototoxic such as methotrexate
(Rheumatrex), cisplatin (Platinol) and nitrogen mustard (Mustargen). The
ototoxic effects can be minimized by carefully monitoring blood levels.
Quinine is ototoxic, including tonic water. The ototoxic effects of quinine
are very similar to those of aspirin.
Another class of drugs that can cause hearing loss are the erectile
dysfunction drugs in the class that includes Cialis, Levitra, and
Viagra. These drugs can cause sudden hearing loss. A case report in the
April 2007 issue of the Journal of Laryngology & Otology involving sudden
hearing loss in a man taking Viagra prompted the FDA to search the
FDA?s Adverse Events Reporting System for instances of hearing loss
and this class of drugs. The FDA found a total of 29 post marketing
reports of sudden hearing loss, both with and without accompanying
ringing in the ears, vertigo, or dizziness. In most of the cases, the hearing
loss involved one ear.
Drugs That Cause Tinnitus
Besides the drugs already mentioned, there are other drugs that cause
tinnitus. These include cardiac medications such as metoprolol
(Lopressor) and propranolol (Inderal).
Many psychopharmacologic agents cause tinnitus. Among them are
amitryptiline (Elavil) and the benzodiazepine class of drugs that include
alprazolam (Xanax), chlordiazepoxide (Librium), diazepam (Valium) and
triazolam (Halcion). Bupropion (Welbutrin), fluoxetin (Prozac), migraine
(Tofranil), lithium and phenelzin (Nardil) are other psychopharmacologic
drugs that can cause tinnitus. I looked up Paxil in The Physicians’ Desk
Reference and found, under “Other Events Observed During The
Premarketing Evaluation of Paxil,” side effects related to hearing. These
side effects were as follows: tinnitus, frequent; otitis media (inflammation
or infection of the middle ear), infrequent; deafness, rare.
Glucocorticosteroids can cause tinnitus. Among them are prednisolone
(Prednisone) and adrenocorticotrophic hormone or ACTH.
Anesthetics that can cause tinnitus are bupivacain, tetracain and lidocaine
(Novacaine).
Antimalarials that can cause tinnitus are chloroquine (Aralen) and
hydroxychloroquine (Plaquinil).
Besides these medications, some common toxic substances that can
cause tinnitus are alcohol, caffeine, lead, marijuana, nicotine and
mercury.
This list is not exhaustive. Consult with your doctor if you have a question
about the ototoxic effect of any drug you are taking.
Most of the information in this article was obtained from an article
published in the Hearing Rehabilitation Quarterly, Vol. 22, No. 2, 1997, by
Orin S. Kaufman, D.O., a physician and volunteer at the League for the
Hard of Hearing. Their website address is www.lhh.org. Click on site
contents. Then scroll down to ototoxic medications.
Mary Lou Williams, M. Ed., is a lecturer and writer in the field of nutrition.
She welcomes inquiries. She can be reached at 267-6480.