Antidepressants and Antianxiety Drugs
The most common tinnitus treatments are psychoactive pharmaceuticals that
address tinnitus-related behavioural disorders. These medications can help
reduce tinnitus-related stress, anxiety, and depression. It is also
plausible that psychoactive medications may make tinnitus less obvious for
some patients due to the loop interaction between unpleasant emotions and
tinnitus (tinnitus causes anxiety, which makes tinnitus worse, which causes
more anxiety).
Over the Counter Drugs and Supplements
Numerous OTC medications (pills, powders, herbs, and drops, for example) are
falsely promoted as “tinnitus remedies” and even “miracle cures.” There is
no credible scientific proof that these products — or any of their
constituents — have any effect on tinnitus. While these products may have
anecdotal success stories, any observed improvements are almost certainly
due to a short-term placebo effect. Patients should exercise caution when
purchasing these items because they are not fully regulated by the FDA for
safety and have no scientifically measurable benefit.
