From the Research
Effectiveness of Gabapentin for Tinnitus
- The effectiveness of gabapentin for treating tinnitus is a topic of ongoing research, with studies yielding mixed results 1, 2, 3, 4, 5.
- A 2017 study published in the Iranian journal of otorhinolaryngology found that gabapentin was effective in reducing tinnitus severity in patients with acoustic trauma, with 89% of patients in the gabapentin group responding to treatment 1.
- In contrast, a 2011 systematic review published in the American journal of audiology found insufficient evidence to support the use of gabapentin for tinnitus, citing substantial within-study clinical heterogeneities and a lack of superiority to placebo in primary outcomes 2.
- A 2021 network meta-analysis published in EClinicalMedicine suggested that gabapentin may be effective in improving tinnitus severity and response rate in patients without specific or treatable origin, although the evidence was not conclusive 3.
- Other studies have found no significant difference between gabapentin and placebo in treating tinnitus, although some patients with concomitant conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, and/or dyslipidemia may benefit from gabapentin 4.
- A 2022 systematic review published in The Annals of otology, rhinology, and laryngology concluded that there is insufficient evidence to recommend the use of gabapentin for patients with tinnitus 5.
Key Findings
- Gabapentin may be effective in reducing tinnitus severity in certain patient populations, such as those with acoustic trauma 1.
- The evidence for gabapentin's effectiveness in treating tinnitus is mixed and inconclusive, with some studies finding no significant difference between gabapentin and placebo 2, 4, 5.
- Further research is needed to fully understand the potential benefits and limitations of gabapentin for tinnitus treatment 3.