Ototoxic drugs and sudden hearing loss

[2ringers]

I took 2 aleve on the evening of Dec 25.
Dec 26 I lost what hearing I had in my one good ear.
Was there a connection or is it pure coincidence?

Have there been any studies done on Ototoxic drugs and sudden hearing loss?

[seb]

2ringers,
According to what I've read Aleve can cause tinnitus and hearing loss. I would stay away from Ototoxic drugs. Do a google search of Aleve and hearing loss and you will find quiet a bit. Good luck!

[nancyb]

Seb,

It seems that many, many, drugs including common ones have the potential to be ototoxic. That's the scary thing.

[KarenK]

Is it possible that only one pill could do damage??

[dr.amy]

Originally Posted by KarenK

Is it possible that only one pill could do damage??

Highly unlikely. I have seen "one dose" of a HIGHLY ototoxic drug (such as those used in cancer treatments) affect hearing thresholds,but its not common to see damage from NSAIDS (Aleve) after such a small dose. That isn't to say it isn't possible - considering any other potentially ototoxic medications you may be taking at the same time - but not likely.

There are currently over 200 medications that are known to be ototoxic. These inlcude antibiotics (such as Gentamicin), cancer chemotherapy drugs (like Cisplatin and Carboplatin), pain relievers (like Aspirin), loop diuretics (for kidney and liver issues), Quinine (for malaria) and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (Aleve).

An important thing to remember is that these medications have varying levels of ototoxic properties. So receiving Quinine for treatment of malaria is far more ototoxic in a single dose than a single dose of Aspirin. But obviously the seriousness of the illness is going to dictate how important avoiding hearing damage is for the patient. Is hearing secondary to saving a person's life who is dying from cancer - YES. Is hearing secondary to lowering risk of heart disease - MAYBE/MAYBE NOT. If the illness you are treating can be treated with a different, less ototoxic medication, then I would explore those options. For example, for anyone taking Aleve or Aspirin on a daily basis, I would strongly suggest talking to your physician about better alternatives. If you only take it for headaches a couple times a year, then you are probably just fine continuing that.

Hope that helps!

dr.amy

[leonardgarcia]

It is really scaring that the small dose of Aleve can cause hearing loss and besides this as said by NancyB almost all drugs have potential ototoxic.

[Spraguerion]

Any kind of impairment, which is caused by diseases is not just because of single factor. I am also in a profession of medicine and with experience I have experienced that there are also other factors responsible for it.