Citalopram and tinnitus: I've suffered with... - Tinnitus UK

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Citalopram and tinnitus

nicjj13 profile image
19 Replies

I've suffered with tinnitus for a number of years but the last few months have been very bad. My doctor has prescribed citalopram and although sceptical of taking it I was going to try it out of desperation. However the pharmacist refused me as apparently it's not licensed for tinnitus. I now feel there is no further help out there. Any advice?

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19 Replies
Barbara-C profile image
Barbara-C

Hello I think GP,s prescribe medication to help cope..I take amitriptaline which helps me .Good luck take care .

nicjj13 profile image
nicjj13 in reply to Barbara-C

Thanks for your reply. Did the medication make your tinnitus worse? I've read reports where this has been the case. Thanks.

Barbara-C profile image
Barbara-C in reply to nicjj13

Hi don't think it made it worse but helps me cope .I don't keep crying like I did.I started with pulsatile tinnitus last august but now have tinnitus in both ears.I did find sertraline made it worse but might have been just me. Thinking of you .

Viegaard profile image
Viegaard in reply to Barbara-C

Citalopram has tinnitus listed as a side effect

hazyfan profile image
hazyfan

Hi , my t became louder in November and it started giving me panic attacks and depression, anxiety , I’m currently on citlopram , and it’s helped calmed me down, done nothing for my Tinnitus tho....

nicjj13 profile image
nicjj13 in reply to hazyfan

Did the Citalopram make your tinnitus any worse? Thanks.

hazyfan profile image
hazyfan

Hi no did not, but was scared I case it did was in such a bad place I had no choice but to take them

nicjj13 profile image
nicjj13 in reply to hazyfan

That's good to hear, that's a great worry that it would worsen symptoms. I think I'll have to give it a go.

Dean1405 profile image
Dean1405

Hi , I started takin g fluxotine 5 weeks ago and it really head lifted me out of my total dispair. I also take amitrip at night to help me sleep.

Boh are helping me cope and if you read my earlier posts I was not coping at all!

As I am now calmer I feel there is hope as I have woken up with a quiet head and ears more frequently. Additionally, I do have a copule of days where my tinnitus is less instrussive, unfortunately I have multiple sounds .

Best of luck and take care

nicjj13 profile image
nicjj13 in reply to Dean1405

That sounds very promising. Thanks very much,it's nice to hear there is some hope!

redcarboy profile image
redcarboy

Hi, I’ve been taking citalopram for a year now 30mg every morning, t still the same but the meds helps me through the day.

NicBTA profile image
NicBTAPartner

Although citalopram isn't licensed for tinnitus it is can be prescribed for accompanying symptoms such as anxiety and low mood, and improving those can help the tinnitus.

I've never heard of a pharmacist refusing to fill a legitimate prescription - did you talk to your GP about that?

Best wishes

Nic

nicjj13 profile image
nicjj13 in reply to NicBTA

Thanks for your reply. Yeah the Pharmacist referred me back to GP. I saw a different doctor who had never heard of antidepressants being prescribed for tinnitus. She said she would research it and get back to me. I'm still waiting! So still unsure of where I go from here. It feels like there is no support from NHS.

NicBTA profile image
NicBTAPartner

Hello there. We do have resources for GPs, which you might like to share on your next visit - check out tinnitus.org.uk/guidance-fo... - there's plenty of support for tinnitus on the NHS, although access to it isn't always as straightforward as we would like!

Best wishes

Nic

nicjj13 profile image
nicjj13 in reply to NicBTA

Thanks so much for your reply. My GP has been in contact and advised against taking Citalopram and basically said they can't help any more and nothing can be done. Feeling very deflated and desperate that there is no support or chance of improvement.

ChrisCoulthard profile image
ChrisCoulthard

Hi there. I've suffered for a long time with tinnitus, but it's been particularly bad since 2010. I was on amitriptyline for a long time. Although it helped me sleep, I still suffered greatly with anxiety and depression during spikes. Last year I got a referral to the Freeman Hospital at Newcastle and the consultant wrote to my doctor suggesting I try Citalopram. What a difference this has made. I'm in the best place I've been for a long time. 20mg of Citalopram taken daily at bedtime has really chilled me out and with no discernible side effects whatsoever, unlike amitriptyline. Your GP advising against citalopram is really strange, particularly so when it was the first thing an ENT consultant that specialises in tinnitus recommended for me. I have to say my GP was surprised by the consultant's recommendation of citalopram, but he's totally onboard with it now because he can see the difference it's made. Go back to your GP. Good luck.

nicjj13 profile image
nicjj13 in reply to ChrisCoulthard

Hi. Thanks for your message, that's really interesting. The first GP I saw prescribed citalopram but pharmacist wasn't happy giving it to me. Secondly GP has disagreed with me taking it but couldn't offer any other treatment or support. Basically told me to get on with it. I hadn't realised there were tinnitus specialists. I actually live in Sunderland so very interesting to hear there is a specialist in Newcastle. How did you get your referral? Thanks.

CalleLaurel profile image
CalleLaurel

I am under the tinnitus team at the hospital who said Citalopram had only a 1% Chance of making things worse and your wellbeing is a big part of coming to terms with tinnitus

MBR1 profile image
MBR1

How did the pharmacist know what it was prescribed for?

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