The effect of paroxetine on tinnitus refractory to other oral administrations

Abstract

Paroxetine is one of the Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) that are efficacious on depression and anxiety. In order to examine the effect of Paroxetine on the subjective symptom of tinnitus, psychology and total improvement, it was internally given to eight tinnitus patients with nine affected ears who could not obtain sufficient relief by our usual internal treatments and whose progress we were able to observe for eight weeks. As a result, Paroxetine was effective in tinnitus that was refractory to other oral administrations. The total response rate was 56%, and furthermore, excluding tinnitus after sudden deafness the rate increased to 83%. No side effect was found. Some tinnitus patients showed a tendency of depression and anxiety. Since SDS (Self-rating Depression Scale) and STAI (State-Trait Anxiety Inventory) were improved in the cases where tinnitus was improved, Paroxetine seemed to have anti-depression and anti-anxiety effects in patients with tinnitus. Paroxetine is an effective treatment for tinnitus patients without sudden deafness and organic diseases after a proper psychological evaluation.