Azithromycin (Azitromax) Spiked My Tinnitus — Should I Complete the Course?

Hello,

I already have tinnitus in my left ear. Yesterday my GP prescribed Azitromax 500 mg for three days.

In recent weeks I have had pneumonia which I tried to treat with Amoxicillin and it mostly went away.

Since I shortly after got a sinus infection, my GP prescribed Azitromax «to get me back on track».

Unfortunately, my tinnitus has spiked through the roof shortly after the first pill, and I now hear a hissing sound also in my right ear.

Do I complete the course with the last two pills or stop? Is my tinnitus going back to baseline? What to do and expect.

Best regards,
Desperate!

 

https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/sudden-tinnitus-after-ear-infection.37589/

In this thread, Dr. Nagler attached a file about ototoxic medication. Near the end, he warns about Azitromycin. It's not proven to cause auditory damage, but the doctors says that he has seen problems with this antibiotic related to tinnitus.

 

Hm, thanks Unfortunately, as I have already tried treating this infection with amoxicillin, my understanding is that I had to take Azitromax I’d rather live than die

Do you recommend stopping Azitromax based on my post above?

Also, I am allergic to tetracyclines (Doxycycline).

 

I have no medical background whatsoever, so I would not dare to recommend anything. Maybe you should go to a specialist in order to get more understanding whether you can substitute azitromycin with other antibiotics. I know, it's the weekend, so probably even harder to get medical care, but try to reach your GP to inform them about the Azitromax worsening your tinnitus.

 

Yeah, thanks. I went to the ER and got Apocillin. My infection valuta are sky high. But Don’t want to risk any further damage to my ear with Azitromycin.
Pray to God T will settle down

 

Do you know if Apocillin is safe for ears?

 

Probably no medication is 100% safe, but I haven't found Apocillin listed as ototoxic.

If I remember correctly, @Bill Bauer uploaded an ototoxic brochure to the forum, but I don't know why I can't attach it here.

 

Azithromycin is the cause of my tinnitus and hearing loss. I know it's reportedly rare but it does happen.

Edit: Usually it's reversible. Some of us aren't as lucky. Don't believe any doctor who says it's not ototoxic. I can send you the literature if you want.

 

To FGG:
In March I was prescribed Azithromycin for bronchitis and it spiked my tinnitus so severely that I did not think I could finish the 5 day course.
It was so loud that it nearly blocked out most of the sound reception in my left ear.
Thank God these symptoms were alleviated when I was finished, which indicates that they were in my case reversible.
There are various entries on line that indicate this as a reported side effect of Azithromycin (and in my case another was sudden, explosive diarrhea).
Believe me, I will never consider going on this again under any circumstances.

 

The damage that drug can do to ears is unreal. It has completely destroyed music for me.

I had my file updated so that I will never take another macrolide antibiotic again. In the meantime, hoping regeneration can help me and people like me, too.

 

Shit, I’m so sorry to hear this guys
I have been sick for doc weeks now. First the flu, then pneumonia and now sinus infection. So, when I went to my GP I trusted Azitromycin would be fine (yeah, I know classic mistake) and I am exhausted from all the illnesses.

Well, the first pill is history, so I’ll guess I just have to wait and see. It sucks. But I hope the Apocillin will cure this latest infection at least

 

The odds are in your favor on it being reversible.

 

How long were you on azithromycin? What was your dosage? Thanks.

 

A month at 1000mg every other day.

 

To FGG:

As I said before, I was prescribed Azithromycin for bronchitis and it made my tinnitus in my left ear so loud (like the high pitched ripping sound of a jet engine) that I had difficulty hearing any other external sounds. And I had warned the Physician that I already had tinnitus. I will unconditionally never take it again.

 

Hey guys,

I've had very manageable tinnitus for the last 7 years but I took a 1000mg dose of Azithromycin once (on New Year's Day, maybe the day after) and a few days later my tinnitus has spiked and is still loud. Recently, I feel like the volume and tone has been changing here and there but I'm still worried.

Anyone else got experience with this?

 

Yes. I was having some mild tinnitus for about a week. It's never been bad and I only noticed it faintly a few years ago, but I hardly ever noticed it...Until I started a low dose (250mg) 5-day Z-pack 5 days ago. Holy cow...

NOW, I have moderate tinnitus. I can sleep ok, as I use a white noise machine. But it is EVER present, whereas before, I would have to almost search for it.

I'm convinced the Z-pack caused this spike. I'm going to an ENT on Monday.

I stopped the Z-pack after 3 doses, so I didn't finish the next 2 doses. I HOPE this goes away or at least subsides soon or I could handle this for a bit as long as it's not permanent. Only time will tell.

 

Ah man that's rough, I hope it gets better for you! It's been about a month, and a few days since mine shot up, but I think it's gone down a bit since I don't notice it as much in the day. Sleep is still hard though just because I've been mad anxious so I'm hoping once I get a handle on these two as well, it'll improve more! Let's stay positive! I hope you're well.