Antihistamines & Tinnitus and Ototoxicity — What Is Your Experience?

Hey guys,

I have been searching this forum and gooogle for experiences with anthistamines and tinnitus/ototoxcity.

I am well aware that these meds can be ototoxic and both cause and increase tinnitus.

I have tried Cetirizine Mylan (generic Zyrtec) which I quit after two pills because it gave me severe vertigo and sent my tinnitus through the roof.

I took the pill at night (as recommend by the pharmacist), but my head started spinning within 15 minutes. At day 2 my tinnitus increased with a vengeance.

So, I am now waiting for my tinnitus to go back to base again - if ever. Then I have to try another one. What about Fexofenadine (Allegra/Telfast)?

Due to my allergies I really need to take one. So, please keep that in mind when replying. Thanks!

 

How about a low histamine diet, improving gut health, and take vitamin c with quercetin.

 

I find garlic, horseradish & vitamin C tablets very helpful. Antihistamine tablets make my heart race for some reason. I avoid them.

 

Have tried all of those, but did not do anything for me. My allergies are really bad. My symptoms are probably worsening due to other health issues as well

 

I take 180mg of Fexofenadine, I don't have any problems taking it, been on it for the past two weeks,

 

Have you had your tinnitus worse nfrom it? I know we are all different

 

I use Claritine (10mg loratadine) during the 2 weeks or so in which my hay fever is really bad. Never had any tinnitus issues with it.

 

doesn't make it worse, have been taking it the past two years when needed.

 

@mcgregor will give Fexofenadine a go once my tinnitus settles back down. Hopefully I stopped in time, and it's not a permanent spike.

@hans799 Do you know if Aerius is similar? I used to tolerate Cetirizine before I got floxed

 

Very grateful for even more responses!

@glynis in one thread I read you used fexofenadine. Do you still use it?

Anyone have an idea or input as to why my tinnitus is supersensitive to antihistamines?

 

Hi, I use regular allergy shots so I can avoid taking medication. They work really well and are probably much safer than medication.

There is a prescription for allergies called singulair which doesn’t mention ototoxicity, but you never know.

 

@UrbanBubblegum I am a long time Fexofenadine user. I usually only take it in hayfever months but I have been taking it continuously since October on the advice of ENT whilst I await allergy tests/sinus surgery! It helps my tinnitus if anything because I’m not as congested

 

@PugDog1 thanks for an informative and uplifting message. I took my first pill (120mg) last night. After 30 mins I had a slight, like very tiny, increase in my tinnitus. Will continue, mostly because I have to - like badly. But if it spikes beyond a level I can handle I have to do something.

 

I hope it helps you!

 

I woke up today with a considerably louder tinnitus than usual. I have pain in my left ear and it feels congested. Guess I should stop?

 

Sorry to hear about your medication reaction. I mentioned this before, but I would really recommend finding an allergist. For tinnitus sufferers, shots are a hell of a lot better than medication. Best of luck.

 

@Brooklyn NY Thanks! The tinnitus settled down after 3-4 days again. I was prescribed Aerius at my request. I can’t find that this has tinnitus as a side effect, do you know?

I have a really good pulmonary physician that I go to three times a year and an ENT I go to three times a year. I can also call both and get in touch with them.

I will definitely look into allergy shots. What kind do you take?

 

Hi, I’m glad to hear that your tinnitus settles down. I wouldn’t take any more chances, so I would recommend an allergist. The immediate problem is that in this national health emergency, you won’t be able to get the allergy tests. Assuming this terrible problem subsides at some point, an allergist will test you for some 30-40 common allergies. Once it is determined what you are allergic to, you will be injected with tiny amounts of the allergen. The dosage is gradually increased, and then usually medication is not needed. You have to stick with it, every 2-3 weeks at first, and then monthly allergy shots. Best of luck with your situation.

 

@UrbanBubblegum -- I have a friend who grew up in Michigan with the "worst" allergies. At age 19, she went to a chiropractor who did a technique on her called "nasal specific". It used a balloon to open up her sinuses, and she said she never had a problem with allergies after that. I met her when she was in her 50's. -- Some people have reported tinnitus improvement or elimination from this same technique. -- Best...

 

These are the ones I took for several weeks and I felt my symptoms flared up.

Triamcinolone, Olopatadine hydrochloride

@Lane

Are these handful? Prescribed by ENT.

 

Bump...

 

@UrbanBubblegum -- My understanding is that virtually all antihistamines are anticholinergic drugs. This means they have a major impact on the body's important neurotransmitter acetylcholine, which happens by blocking it's uptake at acetycholine receptor sites.

This can have system-wide effects, as acetylcholine receptors are virtually everywhere in the body, including the inner ears. If you're taking a drug that directly affects neurotransmission, it's likely going to affect the brain, ears, and entire neurological system in some manner or another. "Drowsiness" is a common symptom, but tinnitus can also be a manifestation of those effects.

 

Have you heard of histamine phosphate? My dr prescribed.

 

Does anyone else have this experience with Cetirizine?

I have taken this medication for at least a decade, and I do not think it ever spiked my tinnitus.

 

Hi everyone, allergy shots are the best way to treat allergies. There are no side effects, and they are very effective. Going this route is somewhat inconvenient but well worth it.

 

I've taken most antihistamines commonly sold OTC in the US or Russia as well as prescription antihistamines in the US.

Zero effect on my tinnitus, short term or long term.

I don't use this stuff very often, only when I am miserable with allergies.

 

I recently tried Desloratadine (Aerius) for the first time, having been extremely reluctant to take any antihistamines since getting T.

It didn't spike my T and it also worked for my hayfever.

I'm not sure if it is just a coincidence, but it seemed to calm things down in a way that is hard to explain.

 

Hey!

I'm so allergic to everything, that I have to take antihistamines every other day.

Good new is, they never, ever, spike my tinnitus or make it worse.

I take literally any kind of antihistamines - usually the cheapest I can find, because they all work fine regardless of price.

Hope that helps.

Steph

 

Yup I take Cetirizine very often and it never spikes my tinnitus.

 

Yeah, tried Aerius last night. 5 mg. After 5 hours I got the worst headache ever. Couldn't sleep last night, and the nausea... oh boy...