Tinnitus Worsening After Starting Blood Pressure Medications: Are There Any That Don't Spike Tinnitus?

[Gbelle54]

Hello,

I've had mild tinnitus since the onset of labyrinthitis in 2018. Since then, I've only had occasional spikes, most noticeably when I have a virus. Thankfully, my tinnitus was mild enough that it wasn't intrusive in my day-to-day life.

This year, I was diagnosed with hypertension. The first drug prescribed to me was the diuretic Hydrochlorothiazide. It began to spike my tinnitus and also caused other unpleasant side effects. I was then switched to the beta blocker Metoprolol, which spiked my tinnitus even more and caused a feeling of ear fullness. Along with the spike, my tinnitus tone changed, becoming higher-pitched and more obtrusive.

The third medication I tried was Losartan, which had a similar side effect profile. After discontinuing Losartan, I started Irbesartan to see if a medication in the same class (ARB) would be any different. So far, it hasn't been. My tinnitus spike remains and is bothering me greatly. I'm worried that this new, louder tinnitus tone will be permanent.

Any feedback on blood pressure medications that don't exacerbate tinnitus would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

 

[momus]

If you do a web search, you will quickly see which medications are safe and which are not. Just check whatever medications you were prescribed and see if they are ototoxic. Do not expect your doctor to know or even mention it, so you will need to bring it up the next time you see them.