Modafinil Exacerbates My Tinnitus

[Double Jeopardy]

I have diagnosed ADD and started taking Modafinil (Provigil) the only problem is my tinnitus goes through the roof. I stopped Modafinil and after a couple of days the ringing goes back to the previous, normal level.

I have informed my Dr, he was surprised and probably adjusts medications. Does anyone have tinnitus and ADD here? or used Modafinil?

 

[Markku]

Use of Modafinil in the Treatment of Tinnitus

Googled modafinil and tinnitus and found the aforementioned clinical trial. Noteworthy is the following:

A study on the effects of the FDA approved drug Modafinil upon attention problems associated with tinnitus.
We hypothesize inattention related to thalamocortical dysrhythmia found in tinnitus can be reduced by Modafinil thus improving tinnitus symptoms and vigilance.

I couldn't find the results of that study though. And sorry, this didn't directly relate to your question on hand. //moving on to the point

Google also brought up this discussion on the rnid forum:

In summary, I've learned that tinnitus has "something" to do with the following words:
-Glutamate
http://www.tinnitusformula.com/qtimes/2007/01/excito.aspx (external link, opens new browser window)
-GABA
http://www.tinnitusformula.com/infocenter/articles/studies/brain.aspx (external link, opens new browser window)

I've discovered that Modafinil also involves
-Glutamate
-GABA
http://www.nature.com/npp/journal/v20/n4/full/1395268a.html (external link, opens new browser window)

Modafinil also affects histamine, it releases more to do the opposite of an anti-histamine-wake one up.
It operates on the H3 receptor as does Betahistine-a drug to alleviate tinnitus in Meniere's disease.
At this time I am not sure if modafinil constricts the vessels in the ear or dilates them. If Betahistine dilates the vessels to reduce the pressure, and the tinnitus then I would say modafinil does the opposite. As stated in the conversation above, taking the modafinil made it (the tinnitus) worse.
I hope that is helpful, I am a not a tinnitus sufferer, but I developed ringing in my ears when I took Modafinil.
Regards A

Just to add to the above, the ringing in the ears I experienced was alleviated by a drug called Pregabalin. This mode of action is centred around the GABA neurotransmitter (Gamma Amino Butyric Acid). GABA is responsible for keeping the brain "calm". Modafinil prevents GABA from doing it's job and Glutamate takes priority, activating the brain and making one feel more "disinhibited".
Modafinil also increases noradrenaline and can increase heart rate and blood pressure, leading to (in my case) a pounding pulse that affected my ears (I was aware of my pulse physically and aurally), a clanging in the right ear.
So take it easy with the modafinil.
Regards A

http://www.nature.com/npp/journal/v20/n4/full/1395268a.html

To me the first quote seems to be alike your experience with Modafinil. And the second quote explains how it might be possible for Modafinil to have an effect on tinnitus.

But I'm not a doctor. It might be possible your ADD has a play in it too, the brain is such a complex thing. It's great you've already told about this to the doctor treating you.

If you'd like, keep us posted on your situation in the future. We'll be here.