Medications That Can Cause Ear Ringing (Tinnitus) - GoodRx (2024)

Tinnitus refers to a ringing, buzzing, or whooshing sound in the ears that only you can hear.

Many things can cause tinnitus. And sometimes, tinnitus can occur with no known cause. In any case, tinnitus can affect your quality of life, making it harder to sleep and complete your daily tasks. So, finding out the cause of your tinnitus, if there is one, is important.

Medications are one possible cause of tinnitus. Often, stopping the offending medication will eliminate tinnitus. Here, we’ll cover 12 medications that can cause tinnitus and what to do if you experience ringing in your ears.

1. NSAIDs, such as aspirin

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are medications that treat inflammation, relieve pain, and reduce fevers. Examples include naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn) and ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil). Another example is aspirin, which is often used at low doses for its heart benefits.

Research shows that these medications can increase your risk of tinnitus. For example, one study of almost 70,000 women found that frequent use of NSAIDs (for example, several times a week), increased the risk of tinnitus. Using high doses can also increase your risk. What’s more, NSAIDs can also cause hearing loss, though the risk is low overall. However, these effects appear to be reversible when you stop using these medications.

Keep in mind that taking low-dose aspirin daily (100 mg or less), or taking NSAIDs for short periods of time, is unlikely to cause tinnitus. So when it comes to taking NSAIDs, the dose you take and how long you take it for is important to minimizing your risk of tinnitus. Talk to your prescriber if you find yourself needing NSAIDs frequently.

2. Acetaminophen

Acetaminophen (Tylenol) is another pain reliever that can cause tinnitus. In the study mentioned above of close to 70,000 women, frequent acetaminophen use (6 to 7 days a week) was associated with a greater chance of developing tinnitus than not using acetaminophen at all. Less frequent use wasn’t strongly associated with tinnitus.

If you need acetaminophen for pain relief, make sure you take the lowest effective dose for the shortest amount of time possible. And if you find yourself needing acetaminophen on a daily basis for an extended period of time, let a healthcare professional know.

3. Benzodiazepines, such as Xanax

Alprazolam (Xanax), diazepam (Valium), and lorazepam (Ativan) are part of a group of medications called benzodiazepines. They treat several health conditions, including anxiety and panic disorder.

Ringing in the ears is a rare but possible complication of benzodiazepine withdrawal. This is most likely in people who’ve been taking the medications for longer periods of time. To avoid this side effect, it’s recommended to work with a healthcare professional when planning to stop taking a benzodiazepine. You might need to gradually reduce your dose over weeks or months. This can help lessen withdrawal symptoms such as tinnitus.

It’s important to note that some healthcare professionals may prescribe benzodiazepines to treat tinnitus. But this is an off-label use, and evidence on their effectiveness is lacking.

4. Antidepressants, such as amitriptyline

Some people have reported experiencing tinnitus after starting an antidepressant. Additionally, there have been reports of tinnitus occurring when an antidepressant is stopped. Examples of antidepressants that may be linked to tinnitus include:

• Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs), such as amitriptyline

• Serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), such as venlafaxine (Effexor XR)

• Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, such as sertraline (Zoloft)

Overall, tinnitus is a rare side effect of antidepressants. Still, let your prescriber know if you experience tinnitus when starting or stopping an antidepressant. They may be able to switch you to another medication.

5. Aminoglycosides antibiotics, such as gentamicin

Aminoglycosides are a group of antibiotics that are known for their potential to cause ear-related side effects (ototoxicity), especially in kids. Gentamicin and tobramycin (Nebcin) are two examples. These are available as intravenous medications as well as other forms, such as eye drops.

Because of their ability to cause side effects, including ear problems like tinnitus and hearing loss, aminoglycosides aren’t as commonly used as they were decades ago.

Note that gentamicin and tobramycin eye drops, and topical gentamicin cream or ointment, don’t carry the same tinnitus risk as an intravenous infusion of these antibiotics.

5. Macrolide antibiotics, such as azithromycin

Azithromycin (Zithromax), clarithromycin (Biaxin XL), and erythromycin (Ery-Tab) are also antibiotics prescribed for bacterial infections. These medications are known as macrolide antibiotics, and they’ve been reported to cause tinnitus, especially when used for long periods of time.

6. Accutane

Accutane (isotretinoin) is an oral medication used to treat severe acne. But it may cause tinnitus, although it's rare. If you notice ringing in your ears or changes in your hearing, talk to your prescriber.

Aside from tinnitus, Accutane also has other possible risks, some of which may be severe. Because of these risks, it’s usually recommended to try topical acne treatments or hormonal methods before Accutane.

7. Loop diuretics, such as furosemide

Loop diuretics like furosemide (Lasix) and bumetanide (Bumex) are prescribed for edema (fluid buildup) and to lower blood pressure. However, loop diuretics may cause tinnitus as a side effect, along with hearing loss. These effects are more common in the following situations:

• With high intravenous doses

• In patients with acute or chronic kidney disease

• When used in combination with other medications that can damage your ears

If you experience tinnitus while taking a loop diuretic, let your prescriber know. But don’t stop taking your medication without speaking with them first.

8. Beta blockers, such as metoprolol

Beta blocker medications are used for the treatment of high blood pressure (hypertension). They can also be prescribed for other reasons, such as coronary artery disease. Tinnitus is rare with beta blockers, but it has been reported with metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol XL), bisoprolol, and nebivolol (Bystolic).

Hypertension is also associated with tinnitus. So it’s possible that your ear ringing symptoms could be from high blood pressure — rather than your medication. If you’re experiencing tinnitus, your prescriber may ask you to check your blood pressure at home more frequently to see if it’s high.

9. ACE inhibitors, such as lisinopril

Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors are medications used to treat hypertension and other health conditions. But they can also be linked to ringing in the ears. Common examples are lisinopril (Zestril), enalapril (Vasotec), and ramipril (Altace). If you experience tinnitus with these medications, there are several other blood pressure medications that may be a better option for you.

10. Antimalarial medications, such as hydroxychloroquine

Chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil) are antimalarial medications that also treat autoimmune conditions, like rheumatoid arthritis. Both may cause tinnitus, along with hearing loss and vertigo. The hearing loss from these medications isn't always reversible, though tinnitus often is

11. Some cancer medications, such as cisplatin

Cisplatin and carboplatin are both cancer medications that can be toxic to the inner ear. These medications are among the most common to cause tinnitus, and the effects may be permanent.

12. Proton pump inhibitors

Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) such as omeprazole (Prilosec) or pantoprazole (Protonix) are medications used to treat gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and other conditions involving too much stomach acid. While some research shows PPIs can cause tinnitus, other studies haven’t found a link between PPIs and hearing problems.

What are the best tinnitus medications?

There are currently no FDA-approved tinnitus medications. But medications are sometimes prescribed off-label as treatment for the ringing-in-ears sensation that comes with tinnitus.

Some medications that have been studied or used off-label as treatment of tinnitus include:

• Anesthetics, such as lidocaine

• Heart rhythm medications, such as flecainide

• Antihistamines, such as meclizine

• Benzodiazepines such as such as clonazepam (Klonopin)

• Anti-seizure medications, such as gabapentin (Neurontin)

• Certain herbal remedies, such as ginkgo balboa

Some of these medications that are used as ear-ringing remedies can also cause tinnitus. And overall, none of these medications or over-the-counter (OTC) supplements are proven to help tinnitus.

While they may work for some people, there’s not a single best medication for tinnitus. So it’s important to speak with a healthcare professional if you’re experiencing ringing in your ears that doesn’t go away within 2 weeks, or if you’re experiencing hearing loss, severe dizziness, or an inability to complete your daily tasks.

Can you use ear drops for tinnitus?

There are some ear drop products that are sold as tinnitus relief medications. But they aren’t backed by research. Examples include Ring Relief and Ear Ringing Remedy. These are homeopathic products. We don’t have research to indicate they work for tinnitus, so check with a healthcare professional before trying them.

However, if your tinnitus is due to earwax buildup, OTC peroxide-based ear drops can help break down the wax. But don’t use cotton swabs (Q-tips) to remove the wax. This can damage your eardrum and make your tinnitus work.

What else can you do to treat tinnitus?

As discussed, there’s not a clear answer as to whether medications can treat your tinnitus. If your prescriber doesn’t recommend medications, or you’ve tried them and they don’t work, there are a few things you can try, including:

• Using pleasant or calming sounds (called sound therapy) to reduce the sensation of ringing in the ears.

• Using a hearing aid if you’re experiencing hearing loss, which can improve your hearing and minimize the ringing sensation

• Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), which can help you feel and function better

How can you stop tinnitus immediately?

If your tinnitus is caused by a medication, your best chance for immediate relief is to stop the medication. However, you should always check with a healthcare professional before stopping any medications.