The use of flupirtine in treatment of tinnitus.
CONCLUSIONS
Flupirtine, a functional NMDA antagonist, does not seem to be efficacious in the treatment of tinnitus.


OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to investigate whether flupirtine has any beneficial effect on tinnitus perception.


METHODS
Twenty-four patients were selected (6 female and 18 male patients) with continuous subjective tinnitus. Eight patients suffered left-sided tinnitus, 4 right-sided tinnitus and 12 bilateral tinnitus. We assessed the burden of the tinnitus by loudness visual analogue scale (VAS) and tinnitus questionnaire (TQ) according to Hallam et al., and Hiller and Goebel. All patients were treated with a 2 x 100 mg daily dosage of oral flupirtine for 3 weeks in an open prospective design.


RESULTS
There was no statistical effect on VAS and TQ of the treatment with flupirtine. Only one patient (4.2%) experienced a positive effect on the tinnitus but discontinued the treatment because of amnesia and concentration disorders.
Salembier
L
L
University Department of Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Antwerp University Hospital, Belgium. liesbeth.salembier@telenet.be
De Ridder
D
D
Van de Heyning
P H
PH
D000328:Adult; D000631:Aminopyridines / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000647:Amnesia / Q000139:chemically induced; D000700:Analgesics / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001288:Attention / Q000187:drug effects; D017281:Cost of Illness; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016194:Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate / Q000187:drug effects; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014012:Tinnitus / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000631:Aminopyridines; D000700:Analgesics; D016194:Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate; C034161:flupirtine