Tinnitus from BP medication

[Orladog]

After finding I had very high blood pressure 5 months ago I have struggled to find the right medication. Amlodipine gave me severe headaches, palpitations, hot flushes. Replaced with Lercanidipine which seemed ok but not controlling the BP well enough. I was given Ramipril in addition which gave me a terrible cough and tinnitus . This was replaced with Losartan in increasing dosages which continued the tinnitus. I was on Ramipril and Losartan for more than two months, struggling with terrible tinnitus. Finally the Losartan was replaced with Indapamide (diuretic) with the hope that this would stop the tinnitus. Sadly this did not happen, and six weeks after starting the Indapamide I am still suffering with the tinnitus.

I am wondering if Indapamide is causing the tinnitus too. Does anyone else have experience of tinnitus from BP medications? Has anyone got tinnitus from taking Indapamide?

I would really appreciate some help as the tinnitus is making me miserable.

[Happyrosie]

You could go over to the Tinnitus part of Health Unlocked and read forumites views there. The best way to help your tinnitus, though, is to go to the website of Tinnitus UK, the charity. There you’ll find hints and tips.

One of the problems about tinnitus is that it can start without a particular cause, so removing any perceived cause might not help at all. Tinnitus is very common and you can start suffering from it at any age and with no particular reason for it.

As far as your hypertension is concerned, have you been given advice about diet and lifestyle? There’s a lot of information about this on the website of Blood Pressure UK, along with information about different medications.

[Orladog in reply to Happyrosie]

Thank you for your helpful advice. I will certainly check the views on the tinnitus section of Health Unlocked and on Tinnitus UK. The tinnitus definitely began when I started to take Ramipril and got worse with higher doses of Losartan but I agree that just stopping these medications does not necessarily stop the problem once it is there.

I do a fair amount of walking daily, eat a healthy vegetarian diet and am not overweight, so, thank you, I have already taken these things into consideration in improving my blood pressure.

[Ryis]

Hi

I have been on Indapamide in the past but it didn’t cause tinnitus.

Hope you find a solution

[Orladog in reply to Ryis]

Thanks Ryis, it's difficult to know where the tinnitus comes from. Indapamide has been good for me otherwise and I'm not certain that it is the cause.

[Dovedale4]

Hi Orladog,

I did take indapamide for a few weeks around three years ago and it caused dreadful tinnitus for me too.

I hope this helps - it's a minefield trying to find a blood pressure medication without side effects so you have my sympathy.

[Orladog in reply to Dovedale4]

Thank you Dovedale4. That's really helpful and does confirm for me that the Indapamide is likely to be causing the tinnitus. I will continue my search for a suitable medication. As you say, it's really difficult finding the right medication that doesn't cause side effects.

[onadiet]

I got tinnitus the day after taking 1st.dose of Anlopadine. Been on loads of other meds since but still got pulsating tinnitus. Horrible.

[onadiet]

I've had Tinnitis 4 yrs.now after taking Amlodipine.With ENT now .Have blocked ear tubes and chronic Sinusid.Most bp meds agrivate these conditions so they worsen

[Orladog in reply to onadiet]

I still have tinnitus 18 months after starting the blood pressure medications. It's impossible to solve the puzzle of what actually caused the tinnitus and there seems very little that can be done to relieve it. Also I still have to take medication for high blood pressure which could be causing the tinnitus! Very frustrating!