An unusual case of prolonged tinnitus following low-dose amitriptyline.
We report on a case of unilateral tinnitus after a short course of low-dose amitriptyline for neuralgic foot pain. This has been described in the literature previously at much higher doses and is associated with prolonged administration; we present our case with a review of the current literature in-order to raise awareness of this possible complication of anti-depressant therapy. We also propose a novel hypothesis for the pharmacological basis of amitriptyline-induced tinnitus.
Mendis
D
D
Department of ENT Surgery, Queen's Hospital, Burton-on-Trent, UK. dulanimendis@yahoo.com
Johnston
M
M
D000328:Adult; D000639:Amitriptyline / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000929:Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D005534:Foot Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D009437:Neuralgia / Q000188:drug therapy; D014012:Tinnitus / Q000139:chemically induced*
D000929:Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic; D000639:Amitriptyline