Can Antibiotics (Nitrofurantoin) Worsen Tinnitus? I Have a UTI

Can taking antibiotics worsen tinnitus? I have a UTI and doctor gave me antibiotics.

I've been trying to get rid of the infection without needing the antibiotics, but I am in a lot of pain... The first day I tried taking one it made my ear feel full.

 

YES.

 

Some antibiotics are more ototoxic than others. I've been on antibiotics twice since my onset and haven't noticed any difference.

What antibiotic have you been prescribed?

 

Nitrofurantoin 100 mg twice a day for 7 days

 

I've been taking this instead of the antibiotics.

 

Unfortunately, yes. Many antibiotics are quite ototoxic. The worst are the antibiotics ending in "-mycin".

 

You have an infection and are in pain. Your doctor prescribed an antibiotic to help you. Did you tell your doctor you have tinnitus so that he/she could prescribe an antibiotic that is not ototoxic? Sometimes we have to decide whether the risk of a side effect outweighs the benefit. I might respectfully remind you that your tinnitus might be the least of your problems if an infection gets out of control in your body. You are in pain, I’d be talking to a doctor.

Take care of you and I hope you feel better soon.

https://vestibular.org/ototoxicity

 

I will be going back to my doctor this week to see if there is another treatment available. I know that this infection can affect kidneys.

 

Check out http://hlaa-sbc.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/Ototoxic_Brochure.pdf - I didn't find it on the list.

Absolutely. A bacterial infection that is left untreated can turn into a BIG BIG problem.

I am not a doctor, but if I had a bacterial infection, I'd treat it with antibiotics rather than "cranberry supplements". Infections are no joke: they need to be considered seriously.

Why do you want another treatment? A few days can make a big difference in the progress of your infection, so delaying can severely increase your risk (it seems you've already delayed).

Good luck.

 

I don't see it (and some of the brand names it is sold under) on

http://www.ata.org/sites/default/files/Drugs Associated with Tinnitus 2013_Updated2017.pdf

nor on
http://hlaa-sbc.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/Ototoxic_Brochure.pdf

 

@stacey,
Try cranberry tablets as good for UTI infections as long as you are not on warfarin.
love glynis

 

Thank you for this info!!

 

You need to go all or nothing with your antibiotics. Don't start and then stop because that might end up hurting you in the long run.

 

I went back to urgent care to see if there was other treatment for the UTI besides antibiotics and sadly they told me there isn't any.

I just took my first dose crying as I do so....

Please Lord don't let this meds worsen my tinnitus and hyperacusis, I beg you.

 

@stacey I know....easier said than done.....but try your best to not stress over it. Stress does exacerbate our tinnitus. Perhaps hanging out with some close friends or a quiet drive to see nature.

I understand what you’re going through and hope you’re feeling better soon. Take care.

Bobby

 

Has your dr sent off a culture? Did it grow anything?

I have a lifetime of experience with utis.

I was on nitro for 8 months post t onset with no worsening of my t or h.

There are plenty of alternatives that you might be more comfortable with.

ie: cephalexin

colloidal silver, oregano oil, uva ursi, hiprex, dmannose ( if e coli infection)

 

My Dr said she was sending out a culture and will call me asap if anything had grown and which bacteria it is. I am a bit worried but trying my best to remain calm.

Thank you so much for the info it is very helpful! And I'm relieved to know that Nitro didn't affect your tinnitus or hyperacusis.

 

Hi Stacey! Did you ever take Nitro or any other antibiotic for the UTI? I'm in the same position

 

No I was too afraid to take Nitro or any other antibiotic, however my doctor did prescribe me Bactrim as it was said to not be ototoxic but still I was afraid...

So what I did was drinking full cups of water and cranberry juice through out the day... But still ended up having to take Bactrim. It made my ringing spike a bit so I stopped after the first dose.

But remember everyone is different. Maybe Bactrim won't affect your tinnitus. Definitely speak with your doctor.