Cyclandelate is a vasodilating agent that, like
papaverine, acts directly on the smooth muscles of blood vessels. The
drug has been used primarily as an adjunctive treatment for various
peripheral vascular diseases; some studies advocate its use for treating ischemic
cerebrovascular disease. Early nonrandomized and uncontrolled studies suggest that
cyclandelate is efficacious in treating
tinnitus. Recent personal communications regarding
cyclandelate's effectiveness in treating
tinnitus prompted this study. Fifty-nine adult patients with constant
tinnitus for more than 1 year were randomly selected for this prospective, placebo-controlled, double-blind study with a treatment period of 3 months. Audiometric testing with
tinnitus pitch and loudness matching was performed before initiation of treatment and at the end of treatment, and frequent questionnaire evaluations were performed during the treatment period. Four patients in the
cyclandelate group and three in the placebo group reported a subjective reduction in the loudness of their
tinnitus. Audiologic testing before and
after treatment showed no significant changes in
tinnitus pitch or loudness. Although
cyclandelate treatment was beneficial for some patients and the decrease in subjective loudness scoring was significant for the
cyclandelate group, the impact of its effect did not appear to warrant its continued use by those patients. A significant percentage of patients could not tolerate the
drug because of side effects.