Anti anxiety medication

[Vaughanwilliams]

So my tinnitus started after a severe cold in 2018. It's usually in my right ear but now goes to the left ear more frequently. Gets worse with tiredness or anxiety.

Thing is I think it's got worse since being on Sertraline & anxiety didn't seem noticeably better but tinnitus is worse, although wife says has. Doctor considering putting me on Citalopram instead which I've heard can make tinnitus worse.

[Bellyboo]

Yes sertraline does give ringing in the ears and says so on the accompanying leaflet. I took it for 2 weeks then stopped. I now take a anti panic medication when needed but just to have it in my tool box is reassuring.

[TinnitusUKPat Partner in reply to Bellyboo]

Tinnitus is a potential side effect - I've taken sertraline for several years and can honestly say that it has had little to no interaction with my tinnitus. If anything, my anxiety levels being lower and having more control over intrusive thoughts have made my tinnitus less noticeable.

Your mileage may vary, of course, but it's important to state all sides of this debate - the mental health issues which many people would be taking SSRI medication to treat can also have a role to play in how intrusive or difficult tinnitus might be.

[Meldge]

All anti depressants that target serotonin can make tinnitus worse

Mine started after sertraline & phenegan anti histamine sleeping tablets

I’ve tried several since. They all make it worse. St John’s Wort or Saffron are the safest least ototoxic.

[Vaughanwilliams in reply to Meldge]

Unfortunately restricted in what I can take as so anti anxiety medication to a greater or lesser extent lowers seizure thresholds. I’m a controlled epileptic. SSRIs to least extent.But thanks

[TurboTrace]

Hi. I was on Citalopram but this was before I had T so sorry can't advise.