I am (unfortunately) taking Norco, and me ears are ringing a bit, I find this just a wee annoying! Anyone else experiencing this? It seems to be exacerbated by water in my ears as well.
Does anyone know if opiate pain meds can cause tinnitus?
Question posted by Anonymous on 1 March 2011
Last updated on 6 March 2018 by CJofAZ
17 Answers
I am on this site because I have had ringing in my ears for 12 years. I believe this permanent disability was caused by blood pressure medications. It is so bad I can NEVER have it quiet. UNTIL, I took my first NORCO. I had quiet for about six hours. ... The first time in 12 years. It was wonderful. I would love to kn
ow how Norco works and why it would change my tinnitus situation in this positive way?
I have had tinnitus for 15 years now i have a added buzzing noise in one ear on top of the origanal tinnitus it happened to me after taking hydrocodone for awhile cold it be related they had done lots of tests to see what is causing the later of the 2 and came up with no reason i never asked the doc this question
Just telling you that since I've been wearing Butrans patches, no more tinnitus. It was really bad before. Except for one medication--a muscle relaxant called Baclofen, I am on all of the same meds as before the patches.
ABSOLUTELY... docs always say it is not a listed side effect but i was prescribed Norco,Morphium,and Oxy cause of my Cancer and every single one caused ringing in my ear which subsided after about 2 hours when the drug lost its potency.
I have been on oxycodone 30 mg tablets for about 8 years now and my ears have been constantly ringing for almost a year now and it's driving me up the wall ! It has gotten so bad if I start to do something, I can't finish it because it has messed up my concentration so much.
Yes I also take norco and have ringing in the ears. SWIM may be exasperating this with 420 however. . that is someone who isn't me that does. . that. ( i live in texas ) lol
Usually only if opiates are abused (and not just a little - taking a bottle of your meds a day or so) would possibly cause ringing in the ears. It can also be caused by high blood pressure (which is more likely) especially if you are in pain, and by water getting in your ears, which you should try to avoid.
Hope that helps. :-)
NIK and funkyjunkyDNA,
Nik your words meant a lot to me, thank you.
Funkyjunky, I would never abuse pain meds, ever. But I do think it is a combination of norco, and water in my ears, and possibly BLASTING my itunes!!!
Thank you all !!!
Lara
Hi Sweetlemon! I have read that some people have reported " ringing in the ears" after being on an opiate for a long period of time. I have also had people say that they have " a roaring sound," in their ears like b-52's. As everyone knows,I have been on Morphine for years now and I occassionally hear "air" blowing. It is very soft but it does get irritating at times. I, myself ,think that it has something to do with the blood vessels in our body widening or constricting. I am not sure though. I know it is not a pleasant experience. Have you talked to your doctor about it? I hope you can find a solid answer so that your treatment can be adjusted if necessary. Good Luck! Sweetie Pie
htwooh, sweetie pie, and all of you dear people that answered my query,
I now must change my profile, so proud was I to be off OxyContin. And I am now on opiate pain meds again. That old saying Pride cometh before shame comes to mind here. I just could bare the pain no longer. I thank you all.
xxxx,
Lara
Lara, don't be so hard on yourself. It happens. I don't know why you are taking the narcotics, but if you have a legit reason to be on them, don't sweat it so much. When and if the need for pain meds is ever resolved, you can work on getting off of them again. you did it before, so you can do it again when the time comes. Good Luck!! NIK
Have to ring in my 2 cents - I got that for a day or two when I first took it then it left but I would get it again when I took alot of fiorinal (too much aspirin). They would ring so loud I could not hear the TV until I turned it way up. Nice to see everyone again. It will go away in a day or two.I think it's just new to your system. H20
My daughter aked me why I had the tv so loud? I never thought to tell her that my tinnitus was so loud. I have read a lot of comment here to realize that all the things I am experiencing with these meds a re very real. It is the loudest at night but since I started the Norco, it is all the time. Does anyone experince any edema with this? Thank you.
Hi Lara,
Yes it does cause ringing in the ears; wish it was music... take care be well hail & hearty, wish you all the best.
Rajive
Hi Rajive !!! Nice to see you !!! It IS music and ringing at the same time, my friend,
Lara
Hi Lara, Hi Rajive, Saw Rajive's pic on FB and let me tell you , I would go see him to diagnose my problems anytime! THUMP, THUMP... there it goes again! I was wondering if I could Pant, pant... get a diagnosis. Rajive, That was not to embarass, only to flatter! Fall Queen
I am indeed flattered, trust me you... take care ladies, be safe, well, hail & hearty... from a distant friend... Rajive
Hello SL,
Yes it does cause tinnitus (ringing in the ears).
Norco (hydrocodone/paracetamol)
Please read under side effects:
https://www.drugs.com/norco.html
Read under side effects and then Norco it is right below side effects:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vicodin
If it does persist call your Dr.
I hope you get well soon, sorry to answer so late but just got home from work.
All the best and take care.
Winner winner, chicken dinner !!! BINGO, Thank you A !!
The sites you provided were great, and to all, I am not abusing Norco !!!
xxxx,
SL
When do I get my chicken dinner, L?
A
A-
Whenever his highness wishes !!
L
Hey syrupy citrus,the only way that Norco can give you tinnitus is if you take too many... then immediately go to a rock concert and fall asleep with your face in one of the speaker cabinets (as opposed to the lead vocalist's nether region).Hopefully your condition is just a temporary result of withdrawal from other meds or BP shift.Permanent tinnitus is Hell... How do I know... I have it... How did I get it... Right... playing my whole life in stupefyingly loud rock bands.. Walking past the lead guitarists amp at rehearsal when he suddenly let rip... sharp pain in the right ear..had the doc check it out..nothing..Week later started falling all over the place (despite having had only five Margueritas).I had, unbeknownst to me or doc,developed an ear infection which subsequently went untreated... Ooh and don't joke about playing your iTunes too loud,my twenty year old has the worst tinnitus(low buzzing) from playing death metal full blast through his headphones... Thankyou and goodnight!
No Gedenowski, thank YOU and goodnight!!! I've attended many a concert as well, good seats too, or so I thought !!
And I BLAST my music.
syrupty citrus girl
So sorry Gedenowski - I was trying to give you a thumbs up and with my big thumbs texting, I accidentally gave you a thumbs down! My apologies -
I know about the loud music. Worked with a band where the sound tech reversed the main volume sliders on the board. So every time the bar owner asked him to turn down the volume he was turning it up. We ran at 95db at the board. By the end of the night it could hit 120db.
I have to disagree, because I started on the lowest dose and had the roaring in my ears. But I must say when I increased the dose it is more frequent. I'm not sure why but any pain meds do this to me. Im glad I'm not the only one this happens to, as I was getting concerned.
Sorry haven't been around lately but sounds like you have your answer lil wedge. Hope it goes away soon!
Love ya!
chris
Li'l sissy sledge,
Sure hope you are feeling better my girl !!
Miss ya lots,
LS
Hey Lara,
Guess what? I just went to a website and reread adverse reactions to hydrocodone and there it was, ringing in the ears. The site is:
www.always-health.com/hydrocodone_​reaction_effects.html
It is listed at the bottom of the page.
Just thought I would share. Crank up the tunes, well, I mean within reason and hope this passes soon.
Laurie
Great Job Lady... Thank YOU !!!
Lara
It is ironic that you ask that question. Just yesterday I experienced a terrible episode of tinnitus/ringing in the ear. I am not taking pain meds, but I am taking Subutex, which of course, is an opiate. I have been having intermittant ringing in my ears for a few years, which just happens to coincide with the length of time I have been on Subutex. As an aside, I am happy to report, with the help of this site, that I have tapered down from 24mgs/day to 6mgs/day since December. Back to the question, I spoke to a physician yesterday about the ringing in my ear, and to make a long story short, it is difficult if not impossible to determine the cause of the tinnutis and it is virtually impossible to treat. He told me that it will go away and in the interim to listen to some music, which I found to be very helpful. Sorry I couldn't help you. Tbone
T-bone,
Yes, you did help !! Thank you, now I can just keep listening to my music and not mess about with this wee problem!
Lara
Related topics
norco, tinnitus, pain, fibromyalgia, opiate
Further information
- Norco uses and safety info
- Norco prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Norco (detailed)
Similar questions
Search for questions
Still looking for answers? Try searching for what you seek or ask your own question.