The usefulness of nimodipine, an L-calcium channel antagonist, in the treatment of tinnitus

Br J Audiol. 1994 Jun;28(3):125-9. doi: 10.3109/03005369409086559.

Abstract

Thirty-one patients were drawn from a tinnitus clinic, screened for other medical problems and treated for 4 weeks with 30 mg nimodipine four times daily. Before and after treatment, the intensity of their tinnitus was assessed subjectively on a scale 1-10. Five patients reported to have a great improvement in their tinnitus whilst two claimed a worsening of the condition. Of the five positive responders, four were treated further with 30 mg nimodipine per day for 4 weeks and 60 mg per day for a further 4 weeks. During this treatment they were assessed more objectively by the determination of the minimal masking level using narrow band noise. There was a good correlation between the subjective and objective assessment of their responses.

MeSH terms

  • Audiometry, Pure-Tone
  • Auditory Threshold
  • Cochlea / drug effects*
  • Cochlea / physiopathology
  • Humans
  • Nimodipine / administration & dosage
  • Nimodipine / pharmacology*
  • Nimodipine / therapeutic use*
  • Noise
  • Perceptual Masking
  • Tinnitus / diagnosis
  • Tinnitus / drug therapy*
  • Tinnitus / physiopathology
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Nimodipine