Conclusion: Flupirtine, a functional NMDA antagonist, does not seem to be efficacious in the treatment of tinnitus.
Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate whether flupirtine has any beneficial effect on tinnitus perception.
Patients and methods: Twenty-four patients were selected (6 female and 18 male patients) with continuous subjective tinnitus. Eight patients suffered left-sided tinnitus, 4 right-sided tinnitus and 12 bilateral tinnitus. We assessed the burden of the tinnitus by loudness visual analogue scale (VAS) and tinnitus questionnaire (TQ) according to Hallam et al., and Hiller and Goebel. All patients were treated with a 2 x 100 mg daily dosage of oral flupirtine for 3 weeks in an open prospective design.
Results: There was no statistical effect on VAS and TQ of the treatment with flupirtine. Only one patient (4.2%) experienced a positive effect on the tinnitus but discontinued the treatment because of amnesia and concentration disorders.