Tolerability and Safety of Ketamine in Tinnitus Treatment

Abstract

Background & Aim: Tinnitus is a common symptom. Tinnitus has a neuropsychological background as a pathophysiological mechanism. ketamine has a positive rapid and prolonged antidepressant effect consequently on tinnitus; But it does only cause bad side effects if used with an anesthetic dose.  In this study,   the aim was to determine the side effects of ketamine when administered with  subanaesthetic dose as an intravenous infusion with 200mg Sulpiride  PO.

Materials & Methods: ketamine was applied intravenously (at a dose of 0.5 mg/kg over 40 minutes) to a sample of 30 patients who complained of disturbing sensoneural tinnitus with a background of depression, trauma or pharmacological origin, and the patient was given a Sulpiride 200 mg tablet orally, This is in the otolaryngology department at Al-Mowassat Hospital. The duration of the study is 9 months, it started on 1/9/2020 and continued until 1/6/2021.

Safety and safety parameters were measured, hemodynamic changes were measured, and psychotic and psychiatric status was assessed during the infusion period and for two hours after its completion. Specific criteria for inclusion and exclusion were applied.

Results: - During the infusion and one hour after its completion, the most common side effects are drowsiness and dizziness (30) patients and lightheadedness (29) patients.

Pulse, arterial pressure and oximetry improved in all patients (slight positive change) at a rate of (4 ± 1 beats/min), (10 ± 5 mm/h) and (2 ± 1%) respectively.

A sensation of dry mouth and lip numbness appeared in 25 patients.

- A feeling of heaviness in the body appeared in all patients.

No psychotic or dissociative states appeared in any of the patients.

Conclusion: This study, despite the fact that the sample size is not large, clearly showed that the administration of Sulpride with ketamine with  subanesthetic dose was safe and tolerable. But we need other studies and several research centers.