The treatment of tinnitus is conditioned by its diagnosis. Each case is treated specifically with medication by targeting its underlying condition if one is found. Symptomatic treatment is initiated otherwise.

While there is no consensus regarding them, vasodilator drugs (or alternatively vitamin B3 or ginko biloba) are usually prescribed. They increase the blood flow through the skull and help with good nerve cell health.

Another approach is anti-depressants, muscle relaxants and tranquilizers. It is not clear whether these drugs act directly on the cause of tinnitus or they only make the patient think they feel better. A clinical study on Xanax showed that over 75% of patients had their tinnitus reduced by more than 40% after the treatment. However, because long-term use of Xanax (and other drugs in this category) is not recommended due to side-effects, it should be employed when the patient cannot benefit from tinnitus maskers, hearing aids, or other therapy.

Anti-convulsion dugs have a certain beneficial effect in reducing tinitus. However, their usage is hindered by the side-effects they have and the lack of studies regarding dosage and efficiency.

Lidocaine (a local anesthetic) has been used successfully to temporary make the tinnitus ear ringing disappear.

Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) was reported (Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences 75:243:468:74) to bring complete tinnitus recovery after one month of treatment in more than 50% of the patients taking part in the study. The others also experienced only diminished ear buzz, as an occasional problem.

Other medication for which there are success reports but no thorough studies include (SERC) betahistine hydrochloride, caroverine and carbogen.