Sertraline - is Tinnitus a side effect?

[LyraLilly]

Hello

I rather hijacked another poster's question earlier, so I thought I would post my own. I was surprised to read in that post and some of the replies that Sertraline could cause tinnitus. I have had full-on screechy pulsy tinnitus for about a year now. And I have been taking sertraline for about 2 years. I have had a look at the leaflet and it doesn't list it as a side effect, but reading here has made me question that.

Does anyone else have evidence or anecdotes about this?

I was thinking of going back to my doctor to see if coming off Sertraline might help, as the tinnitus is not helping my anxiety and depression , which is why I started taking anti-depressants in the first place! I am on 50 mg a day.

I am trying sound therapy but it doesn't seem to be working yet, i have been trying that for the last 3 months.

It just makes me feel so depressed and in a dark place and I just want to get rid of it

thanks for any suggestions

LL

[TinnitusUKPat Partner]

Sertraline, and Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor medications, are linked with adverse side effects like tinnitus fairly often. The National Institute for Care and Health Excellence goes as far as to describe tinnitus as a 'common' side effect of this medication:

bnf.nice.org.uk/drugs/sertr...

Compelling on the face of it, but as someone who has taken this medication for a number of years now, I notice no impact at all on my tinnitus sound. That is, of course, wholly anecdotal and people's milage may vary a bit.

Not every medication works for every person, so I think it's a sensible idea to talk to your doctor and see what your options for managing anxiety and depression are with other medications, talking therapies or other treatments.

CBT is an evidence-based approach for managing anxiety and low mood - and it can work really well in managing some of the beliefs and thoughts we have about tinnitus, as we suggest here: tinnitus.org.uk/tinnitus-an...

[LyraLilly in reply to TinnitusUKPat]

Thanks very much for that prompt reply and the post the NICE and BNF, it will help when I have the discussion with my Doctor. I find with a lot of medications what works for one can cause problems for others, we are all a patchwork of hormones aren't we but really grateful this forum exists, so i can ask ' daft' questions and know that I am not alone. I do appreciate it very much

all the best

LL

[TinnitusUKPat Partner in reply to LyraLilly]

LL

There are no daft questions. I learn something new every day.

Best

Pat

[BramwellR in reply to LyraLilly]

Hi LL,

I’ve been taking Zoloft (Sertraline) for quite a while now due to anxiety, and I have to say it’s helped me a lot—more than I expected, honestly. But I’ve never experienced tinnitus from it, at least not the screechy, pulsing kind you describe. I know everyone reacts differently, but that particular side effect hasn’t happened to me personally.

That said, I’ve read a few anecdotal reports online about tinnitus possibly being linked to Sertraline, even if it’s not listed in the official side effect leaflet. It might be worth discussing it with your doctor—maybe they could try tapering you off to see if it makes a difference, especially if the tinnitus is making your mental health worse. Just don’t do it alone. Sending you love and strength—tinnitus can be so isolating, but you’re not alone in this. 💛

[Happyrosie]

as BTAPat says, you could try different therapies if the one you are on isn’t helping too much. Many people of this forum talk about Cognitive Behaviour Therapy so that’s something for you to explore.

[LyraLilly in reply to Happyrosie]

thanks HappyRosie. I have tried talking therapy and CBT already with limited success but always trying to do something. I want to stop taking Anti depressants any way and if they are causing this horrible tinnitus I have even more of an incentive x thanks for your comments

[Happyrosie in reply to LyraLilly]

cbt isn’t easy, is it, you have to work at it. When you think that breathing and thinking are done naturally why should it be so hard? But rewarding if you can get there!

[Karlos99]

hi. I was on sertraline for over 20 years. I came off entirely last year. The start of this year my tinnitus became much worse. Whether it had any effect I don’t know. Sertraline served a purpose for me as I wouldn’t be here now without it but I did become like a zombie. I turned all my emotions off. When I came off I tapered off but after being on them for so long the side effects were horrific. They lasted about 7 months. I’d never take it again after my experience.

[daverussell]

I was prescribed Sertraline to counteract the stress and anxiety of tinnitus. It has helped tremendously which has been key. I've tried a number of medication and for me (I stress, for me) it's the first one that had helped. I have no pretence -- There is, or anytime soon at least, no cure for tinnitus; it's about finding coping strategies, of which medication is one in my toolbox (inc. headband speaker at night, hearing aids with whale sounds and earplugs)

What works for some doesn't necessarily work for others. Advise in this setting is all anecdotal. You have to try (on professional advice / logical evaluation) a number of treatments to find what works for you.

Wishing you all the best.

[Happyrosie in reply to daverussell]

well said, Dave. People do ask what works, find it doesn’t for them, and then they might be even worse off. So much better to go to a site, or a group therapy meeting or phonecall, whatever, that sets out the possibilities.

When I’m on here as a poster I mostly try to point people towards the British Tinnitus Association. They are world leaders. Even the American version, much smaller, quotes the BTA. They are a charity so work in the interests of enquirers and no-one else.

[Chedders in reply to daverussell]

Same as me it helped me 5 years ago I went upto 150mg I was on them for about 16 to 18 months at the end of its was making me forget me tinnitus but making me feel like a zombie. And I still didn't think of my tinnitus even know it was still there . The last month my tinnitus as got worse and I'm going back towards anxiety and depression and I'm hoping they do the same thing.

[Kellythecat-74 in reply to daverussell]

where did you get the headband from . Would like to try one

[daverussell in reply to Kellythecat-74]

Hi Kelly, I got mine from Amazon. Hope it helps

ZUMUSEN Sleep Headphones Bluetooth Sports Headband, Wireless Sleeping Headphones Breathable Music Headband with Bluetooth 5.2, Perfect for Jogging,Walking and Yoga (Grey) amzn.eu/d/cvBa4Sv

[Bellyboo]

I tried Sertraline recently then read the accompanying leaflet that states that ringing in the ears is a side effect of the medication so I desisted as my T definitely raised since taking it for only 1 week on half a dose.

[ahtishamnasir in reply to Bellyboo]

hello after desisted how long does it takes to stop ringing in the ears.

[Chumpiechops]

As someone who was prescribed Sertraline to help with the anxiety of a tinnitus diagnosis, it hasn’t worsened the T but has massively helped the fight/flight of not accepting I have T for life. I also take 50mg.

[Ssmf]

Hi, I currently take Mirtizapine, this was something that my GP did some research into so as supposedly not to make my T worse. I was prescribed them for the anxiety that T has caused. I take 30mg at night & they help me sleep, so for me right now they’ve been a life saver. Not noticed my T any worse from taking them & I’ve been on them a year now.

[LyraLilly in reply to Ssmf]

Hi Ssmf, i have just had a chat with my doctor and she has suggested Mirtazapine, she looked through the effects of several other anti depressants and they all had a side effect of tinnitus, At least I feel i am trying some thing. Now i just have to wean myself off Sertraline over the next few months and then I can start Mirtazapine - i really hope it helps with my insomnia too. All a bit of an experiment but will keep fingers crossed. Glad to hear yours is working for you. All the best

LL

[Ssmf in reply to LyraLilly]

Thank you & I hope they work for you too.

[Karlos99]

hi there. Not great at the minute. I said I’d never take it again but Had to go back on the sertraline as my mental health was so bad. The withdrawals were headaches, dizziness, insomnia and worst of all brain zapps. They’re hard to explain but you’d get these weird beats in your head. Sometimes one but other times multiple ones. They don’t hurt just feel strange. I was on the highest dose for over 20 years so I imagine that’s why the effects were so extreme. Any more questions feel free to ask. All the best.

[JC2503 in reply to Karlos99]

Hi Karlos, Sorry to hear you're back on sertraline again, 20 Years is a long time though. It sounds as though you've been left to "Get on with it" when really you should be monitored. Do remember that SSRI's are there to help, not cure. The "Cure" comes from within and use of other support such as CBT, Mindfulness etc... Which have proven results for many people. CBT have a highj success rate for coping with T as well... Could be double benifit for you

[Karlos99 in reply to JC2503]

thanks. I’ve been back off everything again now for the last month. Been taking cbd oil and gummies. They’ve been brilliant for my depression and anxiety. The thing I’m really struggling with is insomnia. The mirtrazapine was the only thing which helped but I really reluctant to take anything anymore.

I did CBT. I had 4 sessions but the lady I saw was terrible. The first session she made it clear how important it was not to miss any sessions and the second session she didn’t turn up. We talked about all the things bothering me and in the end she told me I had to only pick one and we could t work on anything else. Really disappointing experience. I had waited the best part of a year to see her as well.

All the best.

[Karlos99]

about 14 months.

[Hidden]

For me sertraline cause my intermittent tinnitus. And it stayed even when i stopped the medicine. I now have constant T 5 years after stopping.

[lunaseiscuatro]

Yes , Sertraline can cause tinnitus. It causes mine too. I have tinnitus since I took Sertraline just for 20 days. If you check it in Tinnitus Talk you can see plenty of testimonials for people sufering the same ; some before took Sertraline just for few days like , me others in the middle of the treatment, others like you before they stop the treatment. Dont lose hope for recovery but it takes time My tinnitud was 10/10 at the beginning and after 1, 5 years is 1/10 and I have silence , 2 dsys silence, 1 day t . Be far away from antidepressants , all can cause t or exacerbate the one you have. For increase your serotonine tske prebiotics and probiotics.

[Gladeville]

Sertraline in my experience is an awfull drug . I came off it because it made me even worse than i was. Im completely med free now , and can think straight. Just read peter studenik s book and others like joey remenyi, julian cowan hill all tinnitus free now ,without medication. Catch them on u tube.