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Alprazolam for Tinnitus User Reviews

Brand names: Xanax, Xanax XR, Alprazolam Intensol

Alprazolam has an average rating of 8.4 out of 10 from a total of 44 reviews for the off-label treatment of Tinnitus. 82% of reviewers reported a positive experience, while 7% reported a negative experience.

Alprazolam rating summary

8.4/10 average rating

44 ratings from 49 user reviews.

Compare all 2 medications used in the treatment of Tinnitus.

10
39%
9
30%
8
14%
7
7%
6
0%
5
2%
4
2%
3
0%
2
2%
1
5%

Reviews for Alprazolam

  • Myinput
  • February 3, 2014

Xanax (alprazolam) "Lifesaving. Was completely nonfunctional before being put on it. I understand the risks but the risks of disabling tinnitus were 1 million times worse. This medicine needs to be studied further as I also agree that severe tinnitus related to sudden sensorineural hearing loss is a brain condition. I tried a million things beforehand (steroids, steroids injected into ear, hyperbaric oxygen, etc.) Xanax saved my life."

10 / 10
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224 Report
  • sadie
  • Taken for 2 to 5 years
  • July 29, 2014

"I have suffered with tinnitus and mild hearing loss for the past 10 years. I had gotten to the point of completely "losing" it. The constant ringing, buzzing, etc. was driving me insane and causing anxiety. My doctor prescribed Xanax for the anxiety, but it clearly brought the tinnitus under control. I no longer suffer from anxiety because I'm no longer stressed by the continuous noise. Xanax gets a bad rap, but it saved me and made my life normal again. Many thanks to my doctor."

10 / 10
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184 Report
  • Lynn
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • March 4, 2020

"I have ringing in my right ear which has come out of no where. Hearing test was perfect, MRI showed nothing. Doctor put me on low dose of xanax and after a couple days the ringing went to a low fizzing sound that I can tolerate. The original ringing was so bad I was having some dark thoughts . Thank God its helping I'm very anxious by nature so perhaps the anxiety brought it on."

10 / 10
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87 Report

Frequently asked questions

  • mr l
  • May 1, 2014

"I was dignosed 2 years ago with hearing loss related tinnitus. The hissing was so loud I could not sleep. I tried masking devices, supplements, etc and nothing worked. My doctor prescribed Xanax to relax me enough to get some rest at night. After 2 nights, the hissing subsided during the day. Now some days I have little or no head noise. I continue to take Xanax with no side effects except being a little tired in the afternoon. Please try this medicine if your tinnitus is interfering with your life. Talk to your doctor about dosage."

10 / 10
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165 Report
  • JRano
  • Taken for 2 to 5 years
  • February 8, 2020

"I was prescribed 0.5 mg alprazolam by my primary care doctor to help with anxiety on flights. I found it to be good for stress and anxiety and helped me sleep, but I avoid using it regularly due to the potential for dependence. Several years later I was hit with a terrible spike of tinnitus, constant, loud, and with severe impact on my quality of life. Alprazolam is in fact the only treatment I have found that improves my tinnitus symptoms. Taken at night, I receive nearly 24 hours of relief. I intend to discuss with my doctors why this relief is experienced -- I do not believe it to be placebo and I do not believe it is evidence that the tinnitus is merely a stress/anxiety-induced condition. I'm hopeful this is evidence that a similar medication with less dependency concerns may have a similar affect."

9 / 10
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68 Report

Are you taking this medicine?

  • bones...
  • Taken for 2 to 5 years
  • April 3, 2017

"I developed tinnitus and it has been driving me nuts for a year. I reduced my dosage of alprazolam this past week to the point that I have not had any of this medication for several days now. Guess what! No tinnitus. It is completely gone. My alprazolam prescription is 2mg. If I find myself needing a dose because of anxiety I will take one half of a pill and it should get rid of my anxiety. I wanted other people to know the use of alprazolam can cause tinnitus."

5 / 10
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90 Report
  • flicker
  • March 14, 2011

Xanax XR (alprazolam) "I have been taking Xanax XR for about 8 years. Prior to that, I took Xanax every 4 hours. My tinnitus is so loud it cannot be tested, and after a lifetime of living with tinnitus, I sought help. Xanax XR is better than Xanax for me because you take it once a day and it continually releases, preventing ups and downs and the autonomic functions check which increases T after sleep. Panic attacks are gone from residual nervousness tinnitus causes. Definitely my quality of life is better, although Xanax XR is not a cure."

10 / 10
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142 Report

More FAQ

  • cat...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • January 16, 2014

"My ears were ringing like crazy, I was almost to start break down and cry, but I was reading on one guys experience on how to best the ringing and everything he went thru I was going thru so I stsrted to do exactly what he said is to tune it out cause the more you think about it the worse it gets because with titinus you csn become your own worst enemy. So I keep reading on other testimonials and read alot of people took zanax and it seemed to quite the ringing down. So I had a zanax 0.5mg took it also because I couldnt sleep, the next day I woke up with a slight ringing and as the day progressed it went completely away Thank the lord.I truly believe that this oh s a condition thats related to the nrevous system there is s cure out."

10 / 10
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115 Report
  • Anonymous
  • November 8, 2010

Xanax (alprazolam) "I have tried EVERYTHING and this is the only thing besides ginko biloba that helps. I strongly recommend it. I'd rather be a little sleepy at times then hear totally insane ringing in my ears all the time."

9 / 10
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127 Report
  • tjsno...
  • Taken for 2 to 5 years
  • August 19, 2012

Xanax (alprazolam) "I was taking 3mg per day at equal intervals. I tried to stop completely, and the noise came roaring back. So, I went back on 3mg per day, and the noise is reduced by 50% or more, with minimal side effects so far."

9 / 10
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108 Report
  • adams
  • January 31, 2015

"I have had this constant ringing in my ear for years now up until today I didn't even know there was a name for it but after reading all these testimonials I tried a Xanax and finally some relief! For people who have this you know what I mean. Thank God for Xanax. "

10 / 10
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89 Report
  • Elaine
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • June 1, 2020

"I've been suffering from tinnitus for the last month after taking Aspirin and Advil for inflammation-related pain. It's been making me crazy. Last night I took a 0.5 mg Alprazolam and 100 mg Magnesium Glycinate, Doctor's Best brand. Both reportedly treat tinnitus. I woke up 12 hours later, and the ringing in my ears is 100% gone. So relieved!! I take Alprazolam for panic attacks, too, but my tolerance has built up and it's no longer helping me. I'm afraid to up my dose, for fear of overdosing. (I'm on several other meds for chronic pain.) Magnesium has been helping me sleep and with mood, in place of my Alprazolam."

7 / 10
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46 Report
  • Betho...
  • Taken for 5 to 10 years
  • October 11, 2016

"Severe Tinnitus both ears, rings 24/7 and only Xanax seems to help, it does not eliminate the tinnitus but for some reason it calms it down so it's not as loud and makes it bearable it is the only drug that has helped me. My Tinnitus is so loud it causes headaches, ear pain and insomnia due to the severity of the tone I hear."

8 / 10
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69 Report
  • Keiths...
  • January 27, 2016

"I've had a ringing/buzzing in my right ear (only) for several years. It's been stressful I could barely function. My doctor prescribed alprazolam so I could relax & sleep at night but 1 day, when the ringing was unusually loud/distracting, I decided to just try using it during the daytime. I took 1/2 of a tablet and within a very short time, less than 1/2 hour, the ringing was gone. It seems to be effective for about 6-8 hours. I also take my usual 1 tablet for sleeping and my anxiousness about tinnitus is under control for the most part. I don't understand but I'm too happy to question it. My prescription is for 1 tablet 2X/day so I'm on the low end when taking only 1 1/2! "

9 / 10
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72 Report
  • Andip...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • February 10, 2015

"Xanax absolutely saved me from going crazy from tinnitus. Lowered my anxiety due to hissing loudly at night. I also use low sodium and drink plenty of water. The white noise app helps a lot. I wear ear buds on low for 15 minutes and it usually lowers the sound in my head. I especially like the shower sound. I never need xanax during the day. I use .5mg or 1mg XR(generic) at night. Bless all of you who have the crazy T."

9 / 10
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77 Report
  • DDLT
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • January 6, 2017

"I've been experiencing tinnitus since a severe ear infection and infection of my mastoid cell located behind my ear on my skull which resulted in extreme fullness and hearing loss. After getting my ear suctioned because antibiotics weren't helping and a tube put in I got my hearing back in my left ear but was left with bothersome tinnitus. To the point it was driving me crazy!!! That's been 7 years now. My family Dr recently prescribed xanex for my anxiety and panic attacks. I take .5 twice a day and I couldn't believe it all but eliminated 90% of the high pitch in my ear! I still can't believe it and plan bringing it up at my next appointment. I started researching and so happy I'm not alone with this experience. I can wait to tell my Dr!"

9 / 10
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56 Report
  • Simon...
  • August 13, 2017

"I have moderately severe sensorineural hearing loss. Xanax alleviated my tinnitus a great deal for a couple years. After that, I reached tolerance to Xanax and it was no longer effective. What's more, unless I increased the dose, the tinnitus was louder than ever. Because of tolerance, I was having withdrawal symptoms between doses. Since tapering off and discontinuing Xanax, I have been out of my mind with anxiety and loud hissing tinnitus. These will subside as my brain recovers from the damage the drug has caused. Please educate yourselves about benzodiazepines. Don't rely on your doctor because most of them are recklessly uneducated about the dangers of benzos. 0.5 mg. of Xanax is not a low dose; it is roughly equal to 10mg of Valium."

2 / 10
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46 Report
  • middl...
  • November 16, 2018

"45 yo male. I had shoulder infection following ortho repair of destroyed scapula/shoulder that required 12 months of IV antibiotics ending in 2016. Ciprofloxacin was the main one and the one that finally got the NTM under control. 6 months after we stopped then meds I wake up with headache and tinnitus in the middle of the night. I remember it being worse at first just because the onset was sudden. MRI the whole works. The hairs in the upper band are dead in the right ear only. The nerve is generating signal like when someone loses a limb and get phantom itches. I got to a point where I can generally coexist with it during the day. When it's low I have found it's a 9500 Mhz sine wave. When it's loud it's like a tree full of Kansas City Cicadas in the summertime. I dislike drugs but I find that being able to push it away with meds is better than not sleeping."

10 / 10
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39 Report
  • gmcajun
  • Taken for 6 months to 1 year
  • February 6, 2020

"I have been taking 1/2 of a 0.5mg alprazolam for 6 months 1 hour before bedtime for severe tinnitus as the only way I can get a full night of sleep. I have had no side effects and take many other drugs as I am 72 years old. Unfortunately, my primary physician doesn't want to renew my prescription so I am seeking a new doctor she was good but her hospital is making her practice like a "doc in a box" for cuts, bruises, broken bones, colds, etc. What a shame she is a good doctor who discovered nodules in my thyroid that were cancerous now she is more like a nurse."

10 / 10
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32 Report
  • Sadie
  • September 25, 2015

"I've had a little tinnitus for years in my left ear but the last year has been the worst. I suddenly lost alot of hearing in my right ear and now the tinnitus is so loud in my brain it's all I think about. I had a prescription for Xanax that I only used for anxiety very rarely. 30 pills lasted at least 6 months, but I read that Xanax may help tinnitus and started taking a half of .5mg pill each night before bed and it saved my life. My ENT doctor won't give me Xanax for some reason she told me to go back to my PCP, she suggested Melatonin which gave me startling nightmares and my PCP wants me to come in each time he renews the prescription. I don't care for my PCP but I'll go back to him and I'm sure he'll lecture me on the Xanax."

8 / 10
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51 Report
  • Stape...
  • Taken for 1 to 2 years
  • June 14, 2017

"After 8 ear surgeries, the tinnitus had grown louder then I could bear. It became overwhelming to be in groups of people larger than 4, hard to concentrate (at work or at play) because of the weird, loud constant sounds and forget about going to sleep if you focus in on the noise, your mind will not let go of it!! Alprazolam has not made it go away but, has put it where it belongs, in the far off background. Which has allowed me to live a pretty normal life once again. Thankful !"

10 / 10
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43 Report
  • Hurlg...
  • Taken for 2 to 5 years
  • August 13, 2017

"I have severe tinnitus after having IV antibiotics administered for a systemic infection. This was in 2014. The hair cells in my ears were damaged by the antibiotics. It was impossible to sleep. Tinnitus is constant and loud. I take 3 mg before bedtime so I can fall asleep. The tinnitus wakes me up in the morning. I use hearing aids designed for tinnitus and they help. Unfortunately, the xanax is causing memory loss and changes in my cognition. I want to get off of it. I live alone and am 61 years old. I need to have my brain completely functional to enter old age independently. I'm considering medical detox but have no idea how I will go on with the intense sound in my head. Anyone else detox and find an alternative?"

7 / 10
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42 Report
  • Angela...
  • January 23, 2016

"I have been suffering from tinnitus for years. It was pretty bearable when I first experienced it; however, I fell on the ice a few years ago and hit the back of my head and neck. I developed vertigo, which has gotten much better but the tinnitus was still unbearable. I tried Xanax to calm my anxiety and found it to greatly help my tinnitus. I was afraid of getting addicted to it but I only take a small dose and don't take it everyday. When I don't take it, the tinnitus is pretty bad. I don't know if it is because the anxiety is so bad and it helps that but it certainly reduces the volume of the tinnitus."

10 / 10
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47 Report
  • Anonymous
  • March 30, 2008

"I've used this drug for 14 years. I developed severe tinnitus. The drug (per research at Oregon Health & Sciences Univ Tinnitus Clinic) seems to reduce the loudness I experience and was given me originally to reduce anxiety about head noise enough to let me sleep. I began taking 1 .25 mg tab per night. 14 years later I take 3 .25 per night to sleep. I take "drug holidays" every 3 monhs for a week. Side effects do occur if you do not progressively reduce dose as you go I've had no side effec"

9 / 10
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75 Report
  • Robyn
  • December 12, 2015

"I took clonazepam instead of xanax, but they are in the same family. I found it greatly helped my tinnitus. I was ready to lose my mind when I first got tinnitus from a virus in my inner ear 12 years ago. I swear clonazepam saved my life, as I was struggling with the idea of living with tinnitus forever. Anyone considering it should be aware that benzos are addictive and can have long-term negative side effects - I didn't realize it at the time. I'm now tapering off clonazepam, as I hope to be able to handle the tinnitus with meditation, Effexor (anti-depressant and anti-anxiety drug) and a stubborn will. I do not regret using clonazepam for 12 years, but be aware going off it can be difficult. Most doctors aren't aware it helps tinnitus!"

9 / 10
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42 Report

Reviews may be edited to correct grammar/spelling or to remove inappropriate language and content. Reviews that appear to be created by parties with a vested interest are not published. This information is not intended to endorse any particular medication. While these reviews may be helpful, they are not a substitute for the expertise, knowledge, and judgement of healthcare professionals.

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