Tinnitus is a ringing, swishing or other type of noise that originates in the head or ear. An imbalance of inhibitory and excitatory neurotransmitters in the auditory cortex is the causative agent of tinnitus, primarily damaged cochlear hair cells that produce excess amounts of glutamate, notes TinnitusFormula.com. When excitatory neurotransmitters, especially glutamate, predominates over gamma-amino butyric acid (GABA) inhibitory neurotransmitters, tinnitus arises. Treatment options for tinnitus include drugs that activate GABA inhibitory neurotransmitters and reduce the activity of glutamate.
Xanax
Xanax is an anti-anxiety medication belonging to a group of drugs called benzodiazepines. Xanax is prescribed for the treatment of anxiety disorders, pain disorders or other forms of anxiety. According to The Brain From Top to Bottom, benzodiazepines enhance the activity of gamma-amino butyric acid, an inhibitory neurotransmitter that calms and has a soothing affect on the brain. By augmenting the activity of GABA neurotransmitters, Xanax reduces fear, anxiety, emotional reactions and panic disorders. Xanax is also helpful in reducing the symptoms of tinnitus. Dr. Robert Johnson conducted a double blind study with 40 adult patients on the effectiveness of alprazolam, the generic name for Xanax, in treating tinnitus. This study was published in the August 1993 issue of “Archives of Otolaryngology--Head Neck Surgery,” and it showed that 76 percent of tinnitus patients had significant reduction in the loudness of their tinnitus. While the mechanism by which Xanax relieves the symptoms of tinnitus is unknown, it believed that it is actually Xanax's calming effects and reduction of the fear response that makes the brain less aware of the perceived sounds within the human ear.
Intravenous Lidocaine
Intravenous lidocaine is a synthetic amide used for the treatment of tinnitus. In a double-blind study headed by Dr. Jeffrey M. Israel and published in the August 1982 issue of "Archives of Otolaryngology--Head and Neck Surgery," 19 out of 26 patients reported that they had temporary relief of their tinnitus with intravenous lidocaine. However, it is noted that this relief was temporary, lasting about 30 minutes or less.
Campral
Campral is a medication originally approved for the treatment of alcohol dependence. Campral is glutamate antagonist that binds to glutamate receptors and inhibits glutamate-induced neural action that results in tinnitus. According to Druglib.com, in the September 2005 issue of “The Brazilian Journal of Otolarnygology,” Dr. Azevedo conducted a clinical study with 25 tinnitus patients on the effectiveness of Campral. The study showed that 87 percent of the patients had some degree of relief from the symptoms of tinnitus and nearly 48 percent of the participants had a 50 percent reduction in the associated symptoms of tinnitus.
References
- Arches Tinnitus Formulas: Excitotoxicity and New Drugs for Tinnitus
- The Brain From Top To Bottom: How Drugs Affect Neurotransmitters
- Archives of Otolaryngology--Head and Neck Surgery: Use of Alprazolam for Relief of Tinnitus
- Archives of Otolaryngology--Head and Neck Surgery: Lidocaine in the Treatment of Tinnitus Aurium
- DrugLib.com: Tinnitus Treatment with Acamprosate: Double Blind Study
