This is a list of investigational tinnitus drugs, or drugs that are currently under development for clinical use in the treatment of tinnitus but are not yet approved. Chemical/generic names are listed first, with developmental code names, synonyms, and brand names in parentheses. The format of list items is "Name (Synonyms) – Mechanism of Action [Reference]". This list was last comprehensively updated in September 2025. It is likely to become outdated with time.
Under development
Phase 2 Brexanolone (allopregnanolone; SAGE-547; SGE-102; Zulresso) – GABAA receptor positive allosteric modulator and neurosteroid [1] Ebselen (DR-3305; ebselene; ebseleno; ebselenum; harmokisane; PZ-51; SPI-1005; SPI-3005) – various actions [2]
Not under development
Suspended Esketamine ((S)-ketamine; AM-101; esketamine otic gel; Keyzilen) – ionotropic glutamate NMDA receptor antagonist [3]
No development reported AM-102 (AM102) – sodium–potassium–chloride symporter inhibitor [4] AUT-00063 – shaw potassium channel modulator [5] Disufenton/acetylcysteine (disufenton/N-acetylcysteine; HPN-07/NAC; NHPN-1010; NXY-059/NAC) – free radical inhibitor and oxygen radical scavenger [6] EGb-761 (GBE 761; Gingogink; Ginkgo biloba special extract; Tanakan; Tebonin; Tramisal) – various actions [7] (R)-Ketoprofen – cyclooxygenase (COX) inhibitor and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) [8] Research programme: fluorine-based therapeutics/radiolabelled diagnostics - OcuTerra Therapeutics (SF-0034) – various actions [9] Seliforant (SENS-111; UR-63325) – histamine H4 receptor antagonist [10]
Discontinued Gacyclidine intratympanic controlled release – ionotropic glutamate NMDA receptor antagonist [11] Lidocaine transdermal patch (ADL-87223; LidoPAIN) – sodium channel blocker [12] Neramexane (KRP-209; MRZ 2/579) – ionotropic glutamate NMDA receptor antagonist and nicotinic acetylcholine receptor negative allosteric modulator [13] Selurampanel (BGG-492; BGG-492A) – ionotropic glutamate AMPA and kainate receptor antagonist [14] Sodium phenylbutyrate slow-release (4-PB-D-alanin; LU-901; Lunaphen) – histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor [15] Vestipitant (GW-597599; GW-597599B) – neurokinin NK1 receptor antagonist [16]
Clinically used drugs
Approved drugs Caroverine (Spasmium, Tinnitin, Tinnex) – calcium channel blocker, NMDA receptor antagonist, and other actions Pentoxifylline (BL-191; Claudicat; Dospan Pento; Elorgan; oxpentifylline; Trental) – non-selective phosphodiesterase (PDE) inhibitor and adenosine receptor antagonist [17] Trimetazidine (Adexor; Flavedon; Idaptan; Preductal; S-5016; Trimetazine; Vastarel; Vastinan) – long-chain 3-ketoacyl-CoA thiolase inhibitor and other actions [18]
Off-label drugs Antidepressants (e.g., sertraline, nortriptyline, amitriptyline) Benzodiazepines (GABAA receptor positive allosteric modulators) (e.g., alprazolam, clonazepam) Corticosteroids (e.g., dexamethasone) Gabapentinoids (α2δ subunit-containing voltage-gated calcium channel ligands) (e.g., gabapentin) Others (e.g., acamprosate, melatonin)
See also Lists of investigational drugs
References
External links AdisInsight - Springer
