Tinnitus Control By Dopamine Agonist Pramipexole in Presbycusis Patients

Tinnitus control by dopamine agonist pramipexole in presbycusis patients: A randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind study

Objectives/Hypothesis:
Since the concept of tinnitus dopaminergic pathway emerged, studies have been proposed to investigate if dopaminergic agents influence tinnitus. We hypothesized that pramipexole, an agonist on D2/D3 receptors, may antagonize tinnitus in the presbycusis patients (in the frequency range of 250 to 8,000 Hz) in a dose schedule accepted for the treatment of Parkinson's disease in elderly people.

Study Design:
We designed a randomized, prospective, placebo-controlled and double-blind trial.

Methods:
Forty presbycusis patients aged 50 years or older with subjective tinnitus were randomized to two groups (20 patients in both). Patients in the drug group took pramipexole over a period of 4 weeks according to a treatment schedule as follows: week 1, 0.088 mg t.i.d.; week 2, 0.18 mg t.i.d.; week 3, 0.7 mg t.i.d.; week 4, 0.18 mg t.i.d. over 3 days and 0.088 mg t.i.d. the rest of the week. Patients in the second group received placebo. Determination of subjective grading of tinnitus perception, the tinnitus handicap inventory (THI) questionnaire and electrocochleography (ECOG) examinations served as the end points. Subjective audiometry was used to produce secondary data. A significant improvement in tinnitus annoyance is found in the group treated with pramipexole versus placebo with respect to inhibition of tinnitus and a decrease of tinnitus loudness greater than 30 dB. However, neither ECOG nor subjective pure-tone threshold audiometry revealed any change in hearing threshold in response to either pramipexole or placebo.

Conclusions:
Pramipexole is an effective agent against subjective tinnitus associated with presbycusis at a dose schedule used for the treatment of Parkinson's disease. The drug did not change hearing threshold.

What you think? This is INTERESTING..

Parkinson drug... I dont think my doc is willing to prescrive this

True! And what are the long term effects of dopamine agonist for a healthy person?? But their tinnitus imrpoved a lot.. over 30db!

I likei it im IN!!!!

My doctor has really tried to help me with my tinnitus. I showed him the article in the Tinnitus magazine and the research to back it up and he said I cannot see that it would hurt to try pramipexole 0.125 mg at the dosage used for someone with Parkinson disease. That was about a month ago. I do believe it has helped reduce my tinnitus. I will continue to take it for a month or two to see what kind of results I may get.

What does "hearing threshold" mean? Gene, have you had any side effects from taking the drug?

Sides effects - http://www.rxlist.com/mirapex-drug.htm

Any news about this one?