42 The Ear, Nose, Mouth and Throat
OTOTOXIC MEDICATIONSMedications Commonly Prescribed to Treat Ototoxic Effects
ANGIOTENSIN-CONVERTING ENZYME HYPERTENSION TINNITUS, HEARING LOSS
(ACE) inhibitors: enalapril, usually temporary, reversible when
lisinopril, ramipril, quinapril, medication stopped
trandolapril
aminoglycoside antibiotics: in intravenous form: hearing loss, balance disturbances
amikacin, gentamicin, kantamycin, Acinetobacter, Enterobacter, Pseudomonas, some degree of loss is often
neomycin, streptomycin. andMycobacterinfections permanent; risk increases when also
tobramycin in topical form: ear drops following taking any other medications with
myringotomy ototoxic effects
aspirin (salicylic acid) PAIN, INFLAMMATION, mild anticoagulant tinnitus, hearing loss with high doses,
balance disturbances
usually temporary, reversible when
medication stopped
platinum-derived CHEMOTHERAPY certain cancers (BLADDER, LUNG, ovarian moderate to severe hearing loss
agents: carboplatin, cisplatin STOMACH, testicular) usually permanent
loop diuretics: bumetanide, hypertension, congestive heart failure, tinnitus, hearing loss usually temporary,
ethacrynic acid, furosemide, KIDNEYdisease reversible when medication stopped
torsemide
macrolide antibiotics: Helicobacter pylori infection (PEPTIC hearing loss, sometimes severe
azythromycin, clarithromycin, ULCER DISEASE), LegionellaPNEUMONIA usually temporary, reversible when
erythromycin (LEGIONNAIRES’ DISEASE), alternative when medication stopped
when there are allergies to penicillin and
cephalosporin antibiotics
NONSTEROIDAL ANTI-INFLAMMATORY pain, inflammation, arthritis tinnitus, mild to moderate hearing loss,
DRUGS(NSAIDS): balance disturbances
over the counter (OTC): ibuprofen, usually temporary, reversible when
naproxen sodium, ketoprofen medication stopped
prescription: oxaprozin, diclofenic,
etodolac, meloxicam, celecoxib,
bismuth subsalicylate (for example, gastrointestinal upset, DIARRHEA tinnitus, mild to moderate hearing loss,
Pepto-Bismol) balance disturbances
usually temporary, reversible when
medication stopped
quinine, chloroquine, quinidine MALARIA, arrhythmias, leg cramps tinnitus, mild to moderate hearing loss,
balance disturbances, vertigo
usually temporary, reversible when
medication stopped