Antidepressants (SSRIs, SNRIs, MAOs, TCAs, TeCAs)

This thread is for the discussion of antidepressants & tinnitus.

SSRIs (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors), SNRIs (Serotonin-Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors), MAOs (Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors), TCAs (Tricyclic Antidepressants), TeCAs (Tetracyclic Antidepressants), et cetera.

Some brand names: Cymbalta, Lexapro, Effexor, Zoloft, Celexa, Prozac, Wellbutrin, Citalopram, Pristiq, Amitriptyline, Paxil, Sertraline, Remeron (Mirtazapine), Nortriptyline, Venlafaxine, Fluoxetine...

Speak your mind, share your experiences, and ask questions.

 

Could anyone give me information on the anti-depressants they have tried for tinnitus?

 

Fluoxetine (prozac). Unfortunately, I've heard that it might make it worse, but I think I owe a large part of my recovery (mental approach) to the prozac. I was on it before (for depression), and had come off it when I had my last and worst episode.

 

Thanks. It's a worry when almost all anti-depressants come up as ototoxic.

 

While this is true, there are several factors when it comes to ototoxicity. Certain medications are known to cause permanent damage to the hearing system in some people and there are very few of these. The rest are considered to be "possible" ototoxic including anti-depressants.

Other factors are dosage, frequency and how many meds you are taken at the same time which are ototoxic (combined increased dosage). If you are taken high doses for longer periods of time, you may experience certain ototoxic effects. Many ototoxic drugs which cause hearing issues are considered to be reversible including nsaids, aspirin and anti-depressants, however the chance is minor that you will experience adverse effects in the first place. Most only 1-2%. Just because a med may potentially be ototoxic doesn't mean it will be for you.

Symptoms of ototoxicty are tinnitus or worsening of existing tinnitus, balance problems, dizziness and vertigo. In most case, just stopping a med will cause these symptoms to improve or go away within a few days, weeks or sometimes months.

 

Thanks Erik. I'll try not to stress about taking them then. I tried one Sertraline (Zoloft) on Friday and felt terrible. Really nauseous and the weirdest feeling of my head lifting up and floating off to the side. A very, very odd feeling. Also I got even less sleep and I think it was that.

I need to find an Anti-D that suits me but they all seem to cause nausea and dry mouth.

 

Yes, thats good advice Markku, I'll keep on with the Citalopram I think.

 

Has anyone used Amitriptyline?

 

I've been trying Amitriptyline for a week to see if it helps with T (some studies suggest it does). However, I've now found a quote about how it works and it doesnt sound good. Does anyone know what this means below....

"The anticholinergic action leads to decreased production of endolymph and a release of inhibition in the afferent fibers at the organ of Corti and the olivocochlear bundle. The antihistaminic effect products a vasoconstriction of the cochlear artery, which decreases the cochlear potential."

Not sure releasing inhibition and reducing blood flow to the cochlear is a good idea?

 

Guys thanks.

The only reason I know about Amitriptyline being implicated with tinnitus is from a phone call I made to a practioner (Cranio Sacral I think) in the early days and some google research which turned up a test in which 95% of T people in the study benefitted from it. I'll post that link at the end. its not new news is it that Amitriptyline is supposed to help?

All the antidepressants I know of come up as ototoxic in the book I have (Ototoxic Drugs Exposed). All of them. Then some people say its only a small percentage of people who get his effect and even then its transient. When you get to the end of your tether you'll try anything and that's where I am.

Here are the links I have read:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11771024
http://www.tinnitusjournal.com/detalhe_artigo.asp?id=393
http://www2.le.ac.uk/offices/press/...lular-mechanisms-behind-the-onset-of-tinnitus

 

I was wondering if anyone has had any negative experience with Mirtazapine regarding T?

 

Louise,

I took Zoloft for a while and found it a very difficult medication to get used to. The first 3 or 4 weeks were terrible, but my doctor encouraged me to stick with it. The symptoms I had were agitation, sweating, and that feeling of your head floating like you described. I was taking it as anxiety not related to tinnitus at the time. I eventually got used to it, and it did get my anxiety under control, but never liked it. Stopped taking it after about 6 months. I also had difficulty sleeping while on Zoloft. I would wake up very frequently. I switched to taking it in the morning rather than at night and that helped (I woke up less frequently). Once I quit taking it, my sleep pattern went back to normal.

 

Been on Amitriptyline 50mg since coming down with tinnitus. It solved my issue with insomnia because of my tinnitus. Still take it. I think it's a wonder drug.

 

One of my doctors said that Amitripyline is one of the best for tinnitus.

I have to agree with Dez Dog's statement:

The problem with tinnitus is our reaction. If these drugs can reduce the tension and anxiety, then we reduce our negative reactions.

 

Thanks for the info. Did Amitriptyline reduce the T noise at all? Its the one that is supposed to help with that. I got some but didnt take it when I saw T was actually listed as a side-effect!

 

I've been told that Amitriptyline can lower T volume. J Wing, do you get a volume reduction? Unfortunately the Patient Informatino Leaflet lists tinnitus as a side-effect (other meds dont, so its not like its on everything) so I wouldnt take it.

 

My doctor just prescribed Amitriptyline 10 mg, probably for sleeping and my tinnitus.
I saw that too, side effect, that it can cause tinnitus. She told me it would help it, and my sleeping.
I have another apt soon. I'll ask her. Hate to think I'm taking something that can make it worse.
Good to hear your results J.Wing.

 

I doubt a doctor will know the answer to that question. Do let us know how you get on with it.

 

All of a sudden I’m taking too many pills. I kept emailing the doctors asking about side effects of Tinnitus. Finally my regular doctor\ called me and wanted me to take the medicine. She said it takes a couple of months to work. I did sleep better last night and somehow I feel sleep is the key. I ‘m thinking my tinnitus won’t go away, but disappear into the background so I will feel as before, maybe I’m dreaming.

I will still take it up with the doc that gave me these antidepressants. I started with Trapazode? which is a new one but it didn’t seem to help me sleep so I tried the Amitriptyline as the doc suggested. At least dezdog, karl, and jwing mentioned it was ok. I just barely started with this kind of medicine. I’m with you Louise, I want the safest possible. Which one is the one to take?

 

James -
You are in the freak-out stage, where getting sleep is the big issue. That's the WORST time. Without sleep, your body can't recoup. You need something that doesn't agitate you, which is good for sleep.

When my tinnitus became a problem, I was a complete mess. I couldn't sleep. My blood pressure was really high, and I was checking my BP every half hour. I remember staying home from work for a few days, but that was the worst thing for me.

I was so desperate, I called a psychiatrist. She prescribed me an antidepressant. I remember being very apprehensive about taking an antidepressant. My psychiatrist finally just ordered me to take that pill:"Take it!" I felt as though I was about to take a cyanide capsule. Fortunately, that pill helped me sleep. I still take that pill every night.

There are a many, many opinions that you can read about what is good and bad for tinnitus. What works for one person may not work so well for another. For me Remeron works great, with no side effects. Some people on this site don't like Remeron. I've also heard from an ENT doc that Amitriplyne (Elavol?) is one of the best for tinnitus.

Hang in there. Take something to get sleep. After a while, you will sort out your thoughts. Tackle these issues one thing at a time. Sleep is No. 1.

 

Thanks Karl, that's exactly where I am. I want to sleep so bad, and wake up with no ringing. Ok, maybe that's a wish. A good night sleep is a BIG deal to me now.

 

Hi James, I recommend Remeron for the sleep problem. It knocks you out (in a good way) and keeps you asleep all night long. It keeps on working after months of use.

 

Got your message Louise, thank you -- Remeron. I ask the doc about that one. I'm taking that Amitriptyline now. I'm kind of scared of these pills I'm taking. (You got some good music on those other posts, thanks).

 

I have just started today Sertraline, I will tell how I feel T and myself.

 

I know its scary with the medications but what's the alternative? Might not be forever anyway, gradually we learn to live with the T and then taper off the meds.

Remeron really is cool for sleep though, better than sleeping pills as they wear off.

Glad you like the chill-out music

 

Having a tough time getting any decent sleep lately. Some meds I'm on say they cause sleeplessness. Metoprolol tartrate 25mg (trouble sleeping listed as side effect) , Tamsulosin .4mg(trouble sleeping listed as side effect) The pharmacist said he doesn't think that's the cause of me not getting sleep. Told him i have tinnitus for ages. Will have to talk to me doc and see if he can prescribe something. It would be great to get some quality sleep at least 8 hours. now I'm averaging maybe 5-6.

 

Markku: went to the doctor and he prescribed trazodone 50mg. said its helpful for sleep and depression. been on it for 2 days. i guess it takes time to get into my system. he also mentioned if i ever took steroids to help the tinnitus. I said no doctor ever mentioned trying them. will have to followup on that issue and maybe try it.