Mirtazapine and tinnitus

[itsbob222]

I'm trying to determine whether the Mirtazapine or Ambien or Benzo drugs caused my tinnitus.

Taking Benzo drugs to sleep I switched to Ambien thinking it was safer but found I could only sleep 2 or 3 hours at a time when I took it in small or medium doses. My Phych prescribed Mirt 7.5 mg + 2.5 mg ambien for a week. Which did enable me to sleep well. 2nd week 15 mg Mirt + 2.5 Ambien.. thats where I am now but on my 5th week. TINNITUS STARTED ON WEEK 3. Quesion is, which drug caused it? I read Mirt is Tinn safe but I also read many got Tinn taking it but also took other drugs with it like Ambien or benso type drugs. My depression is scale 10 and I expect doc will want to raise mirt dose to 30 mg but I'm terrified the tinnitus will get worse. I suspect the ambien is the cause since a couple of nights ago I did not take it and the following day tinn was improved. Last week I took lunesta for sleep without Mirt and the following day tinn went through the roof. Can anyone help me isolate these meds and help to come to a theory of the culprit drug causing this tinn.

[ShakeelaBTA]

Hello and welcome to the British Tinnitus Association forum.

Do feel free to ask any questions, I hope that you find this a helpful and supportive place to help you manage your tinnitus.

There is information about Drugs and Tinnitus on the BTA website here tinnitus.org.uk/drugs

We have some resources that you might like to check out in addition to our home here:

tinnitus.org.uk (information and support details)

takeontinnitus.co.uk (free tinnitus management programme)

Helpline 0800 018 0527 (Monday-Friday 9am-5pm) (outside the UK you can call [phone])

Kind regards

Shakeela

[ShakeyTree]

All the drugs you listed have been on the ata.org ototoxic list. Tinnatus has been reported in 60 % after taking ambien for one month. Tinnatus is also seen in benzo and mirtazapine withdrawal. Mirtazapine increases serotonin which recent studies revealed may excite dorsal cochlear neuclei activity related to Tinnatus. Anxiety/depression stress can trigger Tinnatus. Side note mirtazapine at the low dose is serotonergic but at higher doses, the antihistamine activity is offset by increased noradrenergic transmission, which reduces its sedating effect.