Abstract
Dihydroergotoxine (Hydergine), a kind of ergot alkaloid, is famous for its action on the CNS. Recently its efficacy in the therapy of tinnitus has been reported. We undertook a study to evaluate the effect of Hydergine on tinnitus. Hydergine in doses of 6mg/day with no other drugs was given orally to 43 adult patients who have tinnitus, every day for a period of more than 8 weeks.
The results were as follows:
1) It proved effective in 63% of patients according to the judgment of the doctors, in 54% according to the patient's subjective tinnitus score, and in 67% according to the results of the pitchmatch-method tinnitus test.
2) It was more effective when the period between the disease onset and the beginning of its administration was shorter.
3) It was especially effective for patients who have hearing loss at higher frequencies.
