Wednesday, March 13, 2013

Here's a list of drugs that could Harm Your Hearing

Photo credit: dhester from morguefile.com
It is known that some drugs are potentially harmful to your hearing. (See a previous article on that topic http://hearing-loss-news.blogspot.fr/2012/08/some-antibiotics-are-bad-for-your-inner.html). Some of these drugs are ototoxic.
Ototoxicity is damage to the ear (oto-), specifically the cochlea or auditory nerve and sometimes the vestibular system, by a toxin. It is commonly medication-induced; ototoxic drugs include antibiotics such as the aminoglycoside gentamicin, loop diuretics such as furosemide, and platinum-based chemotherapy agents such as cisplatin. A number of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) have also been shown to be ototoxic. This can result in sensorineural hearing loss, dysequilibrium, or both. Either may be reversible and temporary, or irreversible and permanent.
 (Source : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ototoxicity)



You can find the original article at the Hearing Loss Association of Alburquerque, New Mexico : http://www.hlaabq.com/ototoxicdrugs.html.

OTOTOXIC DRUGS
The following list contains drugs that can have a temporary or permanent
effect on hearing such as hearing loss or tinnitus.  They were identified through the reading of Dr. Susan Kunkel from the Poison Center at the University of New Mexico College  of Pharmacy where she is a Toxicology Fellow.

Please note that this is not an all-inclusive list of every ototoxic drug
nor an exhaustive list of all drugs in each category.  The few
that are especially important are displayed in bold.

Some drugs have more than one use and/or may fit into more than one
category. Certain non-drug substances (e.g., various metals, chemicals and asphyxiant gases) as well as noise have been associated with hearing loss.

In some cases, the medications listed can cause hearing changes even at
regular doses. Nonetheless higher-than-recommended doses are never
a good idea and this practice would certainly increase risk of changes in
hearing. Users of these (or any other drugs) are advised to not exceed recommended dosages and to ask your doctor or pharmacist specifically
if there are any potential ototoxic effects associated with any new drug
or over-the-counter medication you are told to take.


NOTE: Anyone reviewing this list of ototoxic drugs is strongly advised NOT to discontinue taking any prescribed medication without first contacting the prescribing physician.


Ototoxic Drugs by Category, with Examples

Anti-infectives

Aminoglycosides (amikacin, gentamicin, tobramycin…)
Amphotericin B
Ampicillin
Antihelminthics (Praziquantel, thiabendazole)
Chloramphenicol
Chlorhexidine (for topical use)
Chloroquine
Colistin
Griseofulvin (antifungal)
Macrolides (azithromycin, erythromycin)
Metronidazole
Nalidixic acid
Sulfonamides
Tetracyclines (Minocycline, tetracycline)
Thiabenzazole (antihelmintic)
Vancomycin

Anti-inflammatory agents  (NSAIDs, salicylates)
Aspirin (salicylic acid)
Ibuprofen
Naproxen
Fenoprofen
Indomethacin
Ketoprofen
Piroxicam
Sulindac

Antineoplastic agents
Bleomycin
Cisplatin
Cytarabine
Mechlorethamine
Methotrexate (also for RA)
Nitrogen mustard
Vinblastine
Vincristine

Cardiovascular agents
Enalapril
Captopril
Digitalis
Guanethidine
Guanfacine
Metroprolol
Minoxidil (also for alopecia)
Quinidine
Tocainide

Diuretics
Acetazolamide
Bumetanide
Ethacrynic acid
Furosemide
Mannitol

Tricyclic antidepressants
Amitriptyline
Amoxapine
Desipramine
Doxepin
Imipramine
Nortriptyline

Substances with abuse potential
Alcohol
Caffeine
Cocaine
Nicotine
Phencyclidine (PCP)

Miscellaneous agents
Albuterol
Antihistamines
Atropine
Bromates
Carbamazepine (anticonvulsant)
Haloperidol
Hydroquinone (antipigmentation agent)
Lithium
Local anesthetics (Bupivacaine, lidocaine, mepivacaine)
Metal chelators (Deferoxamine, penicillamine)
Methylphenidate
Oral contraceptives
Pentobarbital
Quinine
Theophylline

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