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Benzodiazepines in the treatment of tinnitus

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 May 2011

Richard Lechtenberg
Affiliation:
(New York)
Abraham Shulman
Affiliation:
(New York)

Abstract

A randomized controlled study using benzodiazepines to treat patients with chronic subjective tinnitus was performed to determine if these drugs could suppress intractable tinnitus. Trials with the antihistames meclizine, chlorpheniramine, and dexchlorpheniramine were used as the controls in the evaluation of diazepam, flurazepam, carbamazepine, oxazepam, and clonazepam. Of all the benzodiazepines studied, only oxazepam and clonazepam were significantly more effective than antihistamines in suppressing chronic tinnitus, but these two drugs alleviated the symptom in 52 per cent and 69 per cent of the individuals treated respectively. Oxazepam 30 milligrams daily or clonazepam 0.5 milligrams three times daily provides substantial control of chronic tinnitus.

Type
Session V. Treatment Methods and Results (Chairman: A. Shulman)
Copyright
Copyright © JLO (1984) Limited 1984

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