Fluoxetine — Good or Bad for Tinnitus?

Discussion in 'Support' started by Penelope33, Jan 6, 2014.

    1. Penelope33
      Torn

      Penelope33 Member

      Tinnitus Since:
      October 2013
      Does anyone have any experience of taking fluoxetine for depression and anxiety from tinnitus?
      I've got a prescription but unsure if to take or not. Could it make t worse?
       
    2. Karen
      Talkative

      Karen Manager Staff Benefactor Hall of Fame

      Location:
      U.S.
      Tinnitus Since:
      05/2010
      Cause of Tinnitus:
      First time: Noise 2nd Time: Ototoxic drug
      Hi,@Penelope33,

      I've never taken this drug myself, but I looked it up, and fluoxetine (Prozac) is listed as an ototoxic drug:
      http://www.hearinglosshelp.com/articles/ototoxicupheaval.htm

      Could you go back to your doctor, and ask if there is another drug that could be taken in place of this one, that will not cause any problems with your ears?

      Good luck, and I'd like to hear what your doctor says.

      Best wishes,
      Karen
       
    3. Beth
      Inspired

      Beth Member Benefactor

      Location:
      England
      Tinnitus Since:
      quite a while...
      Hi Penelope33,

      I started taking fluoxotine but it really didn't suit me, but we're all different. I took sertraline (zoloft) which was brilliant. At first it made the t worse but apparently that's quite normal as it shakes up the brain a bit. You can read about it on Kevin Hogan's site. After about 4 weeks the t was back to it's normal level but I didn't hear it unless I made a point of listening to it. Zoloft has quite a strong anti anxiety effect so although the t was the same it bothered me not one bit. I stopped taking it after 9 months or so because I felt so good but then began to be worried about the sound again. Most people just carry on not being bothered but I got t because of very high anxiety due to past trauma so the antidepressents were just hiding that.

      I'm now at the stage where I'm dealing with all the past and living with t without drugs. Some days it is still very difficult but I always know that if it gets too much I can take zoloft again and stay on it for longer but for now I feel for me it would be sweeping the issues under the carpet. I want to sort out all the emotional stuff then when the anxiety has gone I know I'll be as I was while taking the drug, ie t probably still there but me not caring less.

      Hope you get sorted out. Take care, Beth.x
       
      • Helpful Helpful x 1
    4. Jake007

      Jake007 Member Benefactor

      Location:
      Nebraska
      Tinnitus Since:
      December 2016
      Cause of Tinnitus:
      hearing loss for long time, chainsaw, infections
      Doc prescribed me 20mg fluoxitine, anybody had any success with this?
       
      • Helpful Helpful x 1
    5. mikeinOz

      mikeinOz Member

      Location:
      Sydney, Australia
      Tinnitus Since:
      2003 (spike in 2016 after ear infection)
      Cause of Tinnitus:
      TMJ
      @Jake007 I took Fluox years ago when I first got my T. It was a life saver for me, stopped me obsessing over it and facilitated my habituation, which occurred about 2-3 months after i started the drug. Took about 4 weeks to have a positive effect on me and I didn't get any side effects except weight gain.
       
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