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 | Are there any prescription medications for tinnitus?
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|  Tinnitus is a condition in which noise comes from inside the ear rather than the environment. Commonly called "ringing in the ears," it may also sound like humming, buzzing, or hissing. It may be constant or it may come and go. In most cases, there is no cure. Many people manage tinnitus by learning to control how they respond to it or by using hearing aids. Sometimes tinnitus causes sleep problems, irritability, or depression. In these cases, doctors may prescribe antidepressants such as amitriptyline (brand name Elavil) or fluoxetine (>Prozac), or anti-anxiety drugs such as alprazolam (>Xanax) or diazepam (>Valium). These drugs don't cure tinnitus, but they can partially relieve its symptoms. In severe cases, lidocaine (>Xylocaine) can provide temporary relief of tinnitus for some people. However, you must receive lidocaine intravenously in a hospital and it can have dangerous side effects if not used properly. This answer prepared 5/22/00. Sources:
Dobie, R.A. "A Review of Randomized Trials in Tinnitus," Laryngoscope 109 (1999).
Seidman, M.D., G.P. Jacobson. "Update on Tinnitus," Otolaryngologic Clinics of North America 29 (1996).
Vesterager, V. "Tinnitus: Investigation and Management," British Medical Journal 213 (1997).
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