Question:
Do antidepressants help relieve my symptoms of tinnitus (ringing in the ears) more than a placebo pill?
Answer:
No
MedHead Confidence Score: 3
Amount Saved: $50 one hour medical research
MedHead Message:
There may be a slight improvement in ringing of the ears, but it is quite small if any when taking tricyclic antidepressants such as amitriptyline. It’s probably not worth the cost and side effects. Unfortunately, tinnitus is caused by a very large range of underlying problems that can’t be easily be fixed with one pill. Do you not want to have ringing in your ears? Then don’t go to rock concerts! Loud noise over a long period of time is the most common cause of this.
References:
1. Baldo P, Doree C, Molin P, McFerran D, Cecco S. Antidepressants for patients with tinnitus. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2012, Issue 9. Art. No.: CD003853. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD003853.pub3.
