What You Need to Know About the New Tinnitus Drug OTO-313

Do you suffer from tinnitus? If so, you know it can be a debilitating condition that impacts your quality of life. Tinnitus is a condition where you hear ringing, buzzing, or other sounds in your ears that are not caused by an external noise. While some treatments like hearing aids, cognitive behavioral therapy, and Tinnitus Retraining Therapy can help alleviate symptoms, researchers are working hard to find a cure. One promising drug is OTO-313, currently in development to treat tinnitus.

The Promise of Gacyclidine

In 2009, a study was conducted on a drug called gacyclidine that showed promise in suppressing salicylate-induced tinnitus in guinea pigs. An implantable catheter was used to administer a continuous perfusion of gacyclidine to six individuals with single-sided deafness and tinnitus, and four of these participants experienced temporary relief of their tinnitus symptoms.

The Clinical Trials for OTO-313

Otonomy, a company that specializes in developing treatments for ear diseases, took gacyclidine through a phase I and phase II FDA clinical trial to assess its safety and effectiveness in treating tinnitus. However, these clinical trials differ from the 2009 study. The clinical trials are double-blind and use an intratympanic injection to administer gacyclidine to the middle ear space to make contact with the round window.

Currently, the FDA is conducting phase II clinical trials on OTO-313, which will be completed by May 2020. After which, the publicly available data pertaining to its effectiveness will be published later this year.

Finding Help

Because there is no known cure for tinnitus, finding ways to treat it is crucial. The American Tinnitus Association website and specialised audiologists can help identify appropriate treatment options to help reduce the perception of tinnitus. While Otonomy is creating pharmaceuticals to treat conditions such as hearing loss and Meniere’s disease, discovering effective treatments for tinnitus could prove to be a significant step forward.

While there is no shortage of research into treating tinnitus, the clinical trials for OTO-313 offer hope for sufferers who desire a cure. With continued research and development, OTO-313 could be the solution millions of people are waiting for.