Is Tinnitus Relief With Antidepressants Safe?
Antidepressants are sometimes given to patients seeking tinnitus relief. There have been some studies that show antidepressants can reduce tinnitus symptoms or help people better tolerate their ringing ears. Unfortunately, the kind of tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) used in these studies can have dangerous side effects. In this article, we’ll talk about the risks inherent in using TCAs in the medical treatment of tinnitus and discuss a more holistic and natural approach to a tinnitus cure instead.
In a systematic review of the research on treating tinnitus symptoms with antidepressants, half of the studies showed at least some benefits from the use of antidepressants. However, TCAs like those used in the studies are known to have several potential negative side effects. They include dry mouth, blurred vision, and constipation.
In addition, antidepressants like these are typically only prescribed for a period of weeks, since there is some risk of addiction. That means even when TCAs do help, they are usually only a temporary treatment for tinnitus.
Scarier still is the fact that all kinds of antidepressants can sometimes cause people, particularly those under the age of 18, to consider harming themselves or even of committing suicide.
So while tricyclic antidepressants have a place in the medical treatment of tinnitus, surely it is sensible to look for more natural alternatives to these powerful chemicals. A safe natural cure for tinnitus would be ideal. Such a cure would need to be at least as effective as TCAs, without the risk of major side effects. It would also need to be something without time limits on its use, providing a long-term cure for tinnitus, not the short-term relief of TCAs.
We’ve seen that there is some scientific evidence that tricyclic antidepressants can provide at least short-term tinnitus relief. We’ve also seen that TCAs bring the risk of potentially troublesome side effects, including some rather serious ones. Fortunately, there are other ways to treat this problem, including at least one all natural cure for tinnitus.
