Article: Pharmacist warns against taking common drug that can 'harm hearing'

[Sly Saint]

Frequent use of certain non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like aspirin, could increase risk of developing hearing problems like Tinnitus. Frequently taking over-the-counter painkillers could raise your risk of hearing loss and tinnitus, a top pharmacist claims. Tinnitus—a constant ringing or buzzing in the ears, even when no external sound is present—affects an estimated 7.6 million people in the UK. But regular use of certain non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like aspirin, could lead to an increased likelihood of developing the common hearing problems. The risk is amplified when taken in high doses or over prolonged periods, according to Dr Leyla Hannbeck, chief executive of the Independent Pharmacies Association.​

Pharmacist warns against taking common drug that can 'harm hearing'

Frequent use of certain non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like aspirin, could increase risk of developing hearing problems like Tinnitus.

www.express.co.uk

 

[Kitty]

Haven't we known this for ages?

Judging by the relief I get when I don't need them much, prescribed painkillers are probably responsible for about half my tinnitus (the rest being live music). It's been listed as a common side effect on the patient info leaflet for as long as I can remember. It wouldn't be a huge surprise if other types of painkiller also increased the risk, since they all seem to use similar pathways.

 

[Jonathan Edwards]

Haven't we known this for ages?

About 120 years.

 

[Sasha]

I only found out about it about a year ago and was horrified that this risk isn't made known.

 

[Jonathan Edwards]

I only found out about it about a year ago and was horrified that this risk isn't made known.

I don't think it is a major concern. You may get get tinnitus if you eat twelve aspirin a day but otherwise I am not sure there is much evidence of a causal link.

 

[Creekside]

You may get get tinnitus if you eat twelve aspirin a day

And you might get tinnitus if you don't take 12 aspirin a day (I didn't, but have bad tinnitus). How much of the evidence is based on people who developed tinnitus from non-aspirin causes, but who did, as many people do, take the occasional tablet? There might be a valid % risk, but also one that's biased by bad studies.

 

[Jonathan Edwards]

How much of the evidence is based on people who developed tinnitus from non-aspirin causes, but who did, as many people do, take the occasional tablet?

The evidence for aspirin is quite good. Before the scare about GI bleeding rheumatologists used to increase aspirin dose for people with RA until they got tinnitus - which occurs at a level associated with a number of other rather nasty side effects.

 

[Creekside]

rheumatologists used to increase aspirin dose for people with RA until they got tinnitus

Reversible, or permanent? I'm guessing permanent damage to the cells.

 

[Jonathan Edwards]

Reversible, or permanent? I'm guessing permanent damage to the cells.

No, reversible. It lasts about six hours. I am not awre of evidence for long term damage. It might possibly occur but I doubt anyone has ever done a valid study.

 

[Creekside]

It lasts about six hours.

Okay, so allow 6 hrs before your next dozen tablets. I'll try to keep that in mind. Of course, since I already have bad tinnitus, would I notice? Avoiding aspirin for several years now hasn't reduced it.

On to the next heath scare!