You likely keep over-the-counter (OTC) medications like aspirin, acetaminophen, or ibuprofen on hand when managing migraine pain. These are three of the most commonly used medicines in the U.S. Acetaminophen is typically used by 23% of the population weekly and aspirins by about 17%. The more frequent your migraine, the more often you’re likely to take nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). However, regular high doses of these drugs can cause hearing loss and tinnitus.
NSAIDs have been reported to reduce cochlear blood flow, meaning your protection from noise-induced damage is depleted. However, the link between acetaminophen and hearing loss hasn’t been extensively studied.
Drug-induced tinnitus begins as a continuous high-pitched sound in both your ears. Tinnitus caused by aspirins and related drugs typically causes a high-pitched or hissing sound in your ear. Sometimes it can sound like a continuous musical note. This is different from other drug-induced tinnitus sounds.
Though aspirin and acetaminophen-based drugs have been linked to tinnitus, it is often temporary. In rare cases, NSAIDs can cause permanent tinnitus. But most likely, the ringing in your ears will stop within a couple of weeks after slowing down or reducing your dosage.
OTC medications are an essential tool for helping reduce the pain of mild to moderate migraines. The Food and Drug Administration approved three OTC products for migraine headaches, including:
- Excedrin® Migraine
- Advil® Migraine
- Motrin® Migraine Pain
There are still precautions you should take to avoid permanent hearing loss or NSAID-related dependencies, though.
Side effects of aspirin can include:
- Stomach irritation causing ulcers or bleeding
- Easy bruising
- Tinnitus
- Worsening of asthma
- Anaphylaxis
While NSAIDs like aspirin and acetaminophen-based drugs have been linked to tinnitus, it's a rare side effect. Talk to your doctor if you feel you're becoming dependent on pain relievers for your migraines and are experiencing other side effects. They'll be able to decide if you should start taking prescription medication.
