Hearing Loss a side effect to meds?

[Grecoeuro]

Recently my left ear started ringing. Now it seems like my hearing is going. I did a search and found that metoprolol causes hear loss and cephalexin an antibiotic does too?


Anyone else have this problem? I will go back to my Doc tomorrow with my new research. Why dont they tell you the side effects?

This isn't cool!

Theo

[Lisa Salberg]

Honestly, I have never heard of anyone having this issue. recently I had a virus that hit my ears, it took about 3 months for everything to get back to normal.

Good Luck,
Lisa

[Cynaburst]

You should make sure that the problem you are having with your hearing isn't associated with some other problem. We tend to assume that if we have one health problem, that when we get another one it must be related. This is not necessarily the case. It could be a separate problem all together.

If your hearing loss is unilateral, (i.e. in one ear only), you should press to have an MRI of the brain. I don't mean to scare you, but a few years ago I had a problem with unilateral hearing loss which turned out to be a tumor growing in my ear canal and into my brain stem. Unfortunately, I have now completely lost my hearing in that ear, but I am still alive and doing well. Sometimes these things can be serious.

Please don't assume that your problem is caused by these drugs. If it is, it would be highly unusual. I have never heard of either of those drugs causing hearing loss, and I have taken classes in dealing with hearing loss which included a section on which drugs to avoid because they are ototoxic. Aspirin can cause temporary ringing or tinnitus, and gentamyacin can cause permanent loss, but those are the only ones that otherwise come to mind.

[Grecoeuro]

I did a google search on these and there were mention of hearing loss as side effects for both. More info on the antibiotics.

It's listed as a side effect. But as I understand it goes away when you stop taking them which I have.

We'll.

Thanks for the feedback


Theo

[Toogoofy317]

I hope you didn't stop both meds cold turkey!

Stopping a BB without tappering can cause a rebound effect or increase in symptoms.

While stopping an antibiotic before it has run its due course without replacing it with something else can result in your infection becoming antibiotic resistant. YOU DON"T WQANT THAT!

Talk to your doc about the best options!

Mary S.

[Sarah]

http://www.lhh.org/otology/ototoxic.htm

I take metoprolol AND ativan AND advil. AND I have had tinnitus for years and some hearing loss. NO DOCTOR has mentioned this as a possible cause ever, not surprisingly. AGH!!!

Back to the drawing board.

S

[Grecoeuro]

WOW Sarah,

That sucks. I can't believe Doctors don't give any warning or fail to relate the tinnitus and hearing loss to meds after all the known side effects. I stopped taking the antibiotics on Monday / Tuesday and I think my hearing has gotten a little better. I will call my doc tomorrow to see what is a good alternative to Metoprolol. Any suggestions?

Grrrr!!!


Theo

[Sarah]

While I'm not a big fan of antibiotics, it is important to take the whole roundor risk having the infection come back worse. I know this from experience as well as reading.

As for metoprolol replacements, nadolol isn't too bad. You could also try atenolol.

Let me know how it goes.

S

[Grecoeuro]

I did a search and atenolol has the same side efects.

Nadolol doesn't seem to have any hearing loss side effects reported..

How does a doctor decided on which to subscribe? Can anyone recomend others?


T

[Sarah]

You can google beta-blockers to get a complete list. Doctors tend to prescribe based on the most popular, cheapest, or what the insurance will pay for.

Some medications are special: sotolol, amiodarone, disopyramide, for example, while beta-blockers are like ten flavors of vanilla.

[Grecoeuro]

Apparently Aspirin can cause hearing loss and tinnitus.

Also low blood pressure can cause tinnitus?

Not good!