Does Prednisone make Tinnitus worse? Or, does Prednisone cure Tinnitus. Let’s look at what Prednisone is, what it does to your body and how it is related to Tinnitus.
What is Prednisone?
Prednisone is a corticosteroid. Depending on the type administered, it is about four to five times stronger that cortisol, your body’s natural stress hormone. Prednisone’s purpose is to suppress your body’s immune system so it doesn’t go into overdrive and cause unfavorable symptoms such as allergic reactions or excessive swelling.
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Prednisone is usually prescribed for conditions such as allergies, skin rashes, severe arthritis and even to sometimes treat conditions like cancer and problems with the eye. It is also a very popular treatment for a condition called sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSHL), a condition that causes sudden deafness, usually in one ear. You can learn more about Prednisone here, at this WebMD article. You can also learn more about oral steroids and Tinnitus here.
When does Prednisone become linked to Tinnitus?
Prednisone can cause Tinnitus as a side effect when it is prescribed as a treatment for rashes, allergies and some of the other conditions (mentioned above). But, it usually causes or worsens an existing condition of Tinnitus when it is administered as a treatment for sudden hearing loss.
However, there have also been several instances where Prednisone has been able to reduce or even eliminate Tinnitus as well. This study examined the results of 75 people who were treated with Prednisone for sudden hearing loss. 35% of the patients experienced improved hearing. A small portion of that 35% also experienced a reduction of additional symptoms such as existing Tinnitus or dizziness.
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Why Prednisone could cause Tinnitus? Ototoxicity is Why
Prednisone being a steroid has the ability to cause a toxic reaction that can damage the structures in the inner ear. These structures include the cochlea. Damage to such structures causes various symptoms such as Tinnitus, dizziness and also hearing loss.
What causes Prednisone Ototoxicity? High Dosage and Improper Tapering
Prednisone is a powerful steroid. As we mentioned earlier, it is 4 to 5 times stronger than Cortisol. Only your doctor can determine if it can help you, what dosage you will need and how you will need to taper off the drug.
Steroid tapering is critical and needs to be timed and scheduled properly. If you suddenly stop taking Prednisone after having taken it for a while, your body will shock itself into withdrawal. Some of the symptoms of that withdrawal are fatigue, dizziness, nausea and unfortunately, also Tinnitus and dizziness.
As an example, let’s say a doctor prescribes someone to take 40 mg of Prednisone everyday, for 14 days. A taper schedule might require them to reduce the dosage by 10 mg every 1 to 2 weeks, until it reaches 0. This is however just an example. Only your doctor can come up with a taper schedule that is right for you. It is also vital that you take Prednisone at the exact time your doctor tells you to take it, usually in the morning, after breakfast.
When having to take Prednisone, it is highly recommended that you seek a second opinion to see if another doctor will concur with your Prednisone dosage strength and taper schedule. It is quite critical to get it right, if you want to avoid symptoms that can affect you for several months.
Will Tinnitus caused by Prednisone go away?
The general consensus is that Tinnitus that came on or got worse as a result of Prednisone will usually last up to 30 days after the last day of your taper. If the Tinnitus persists or remains louder than before after this window, it could unfortunately be permanent.
A vast majority have seen their Tinnitus go away though. Or . it at least returns to a baseline they had before taking Prednisone. So, if it still hasn’t been 30 days since you finished your Prednisone taper, hang in there and watch for these signs that Tinnitus is going away. Talking to your doctor always helps of course.
What is the difference between Prednisone and Prednisolone?
You might be confused by how the names Prednisone and Prednisolone are used interchangeably. There is a difference between the two. They both do the same thing. But, most doctors will prescribe Prednisolone over Prednisone because it is easier on the liver. The downside is that Prednisolone is usually more expensive. But, if insurance can cover your costs, you can definitely ask your Doctor if they can prescribe Prednisolone over Prednisone.
Prednisone will first need to be converted to Prednisolone by your liver. If you have liver disease or a compromised liver, you must definitely tell your doctor about it. Only your doctor can tell you if you can handle Prednisone or even Prednisolone for that matter.
