Medications that (Might) Help Tinnitus? | Fauquier ENT Blog

The blunt answer is that there is no drug or supplement that has been consistently found to help with tinnitus (ringing of the ears).

Here’s a partial table showing all the research that has been done either proving or disproving effectiveness to treat tinnitus (info collected from this review paper).

For a more comprehensive list going over 17 drugs, click here.

Drug Research That Supports Research That Disputes Conclusion
Benzodiazepines (alprazolam, diazepam, clonazepam) #1, #2, #3, #4 #1, #2, #3 Caution due to addiction and may worsen tinnitus if stopped.
Antidepressants (nortriptyline, amitriptyline, trimipramine, sertraline, paroxetine) #1, #2, #3, #4, #5 #1, #2, #3, #4, #5, #6 TCA may benefit only in patients with depression symptoms
Anticonvulsants (carbamazepine, gabapentin, vigabatrin, tiagabine) #1, #2, #3, #4, #5, #6, #7, #8, #9 #1, #2, #3, #4, #5, #6, #7 Mixed results
Antiglutamatergics (caroverine, memantine, acamprosate) #1, #2, #3, #4 #1, #2, #3, #4 No conclusion.
(Anti)Dopaminergics (sulpiride, piribedil) #1, #2, #3 #1 Studies are weak.
Ginkgo Biloba #1, #2 #1, #2, #3 Not effective.
Melatonin #1, #2, #3 #1 Potentially helpful.

For more meds, click here.