Tinnitus treatment with acamprosate: double-blind study.
Nowadays, the treatment of tinnitus is still a great challenge for the otolaryngologists. Many facts remain unknown in its pathophysiology, leading to many different therapies, with irregular results. Acamprosate is a drug used in alcoholism treatment, due to its regulating effects in glutamatergic and GABA neurotransmission, and has never been used before in the treatment of tinnitus


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate efficacy and safety of the acamprosate in the treatment of sensorineural tinnitus.


METHODS
Randomized clinical trial.


METHODS
50 patients with sensorineural tinnitus were divided into two groups: 25 received acamprosate and 25 placebo, for a period of 3 months, in a prospective double-blind study, being analyzed for its efficacy and safety by the subjective score from 1 to 10 given by the patient.


RESULTS
We found a high index of success in the relief of tinnitus, about 86.9%. In 47.8% of the cases we found more than 50% relief. The incidence of side effects was low, 12%, all of them mild.


CONCLUSIONS
Acamprosate, a drug used in the treatment of alcoholism, is a safe and successful alternative for sensorineural tinnitus' treatment.
Azevedo
Andréia A
AA
OTOSUL, Otorrinolaringologia Sul-Fluminense, Hospital São Camilo, Volta Redonda, RJ. otosul@uol.com.br
Figueiredo
Ricardo R
RR
D000077443:Acamprosate; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000427:Alcohol Deterrents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013654:Taurine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014012:Tinnitus / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology
D000427:Alcohol Deterrents; D013654:Taurine; D000077443:Acamprosate