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Real members of MyEpilepsyTeam have posted questions and answers that support our community guidelines, and should not be taken as medical advice. Looking for the latest medically reviewed content by doctors and experts? Visit our resource section.

After taking Clobazam, has anyone else developed tinnitus?

A MyEpilepsyTeam Member asked a question 💭
Pittsburgh, PA

I was recently tapered off of Clobazam and have developed tinnitus since. AI says that this is common. I'm worried that it will be a long term side effect. Has anyone else experienced this problem?

July 3
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A MyEpilepsyTeam Member

JohnAndrew, I was told my episodes as a child weren't seizures, I was a day dreamer. Then had a Grand Mal Clonic tonic 2003 to find a brain tumor ganglioglioma I was born with after brain surgery 2007. So I understand your history all to well. As for the tinnitus, I've had it ever since 2004 when I was loaded up on several different Anti-Convulsant medications, and then tapered off. Some have made it worse and others seem to lesson the ring, but it's been constant for nearly 22 years. Unusually worse on the left side as my brain surgery was on the right side. Clobazam didn't make it worse for me, but I didn't like that particular medicine because of its other effects and demanded, rather tapered off of it and ask for a different medication.
Much kindness

July 3
A MyEpilepsyTeam Member

John: Tinnitus is unusual for Clobazam, but I would not be surprised! That is because Clobazam, like all other AED's, changes your brain function. You can consider for a moment all the potential things that could possibly change when someone's brain function is altered. Clobazam hits several of them, so it's definitely doing something. I just hope it also reduces your seizures, because that's what it's designed to do. Regards, Jake

July 6
A MyEpilepsyTeam Member

I understand, sometimes the ringing gets quieter, but it still rings. So sorry this is happening to you. I will pray for you

July 3
A MyEpilepsyTeam Member

I take 3mg of ClonazePan 3mg each night, and 20mg of cloBAZam each night, and 0.5 prn. I hate it, but my doctor won't change. I have started to have ringinng in my ears. I don't know what to do. I take a lot more of epilepsy medicine, and weigh only 97-100 pounds

July 3 (edited)
MyEpilepsyTeam

Has anyone else developed tinnitus after tapering off Clobazam, and could it be a long-term side effect?

Tinnitus after tapering off Clobazam is something worth taking seriously. While it's not one of the most commonly listed side effects, changes to the nervous system during and after tapering can sometimes cause unexpected Show Full Answer

Has anyone else developed tinnitus after tapering off Clobazam, and could it be a long-term side effect?

Tinnitus after tapering off Clobazam is something worth taking seriously. While it's not one of the most commonly listed side effects, changes to the nervous system during and after tapering can sometimes cause unexpected symptoms like ringing in the ears.

It's really important to loop in your neurologist about this. Here's why:

- Clobazam affects the central nervous system, and tapering can sometimes trigger withdrawal-related symptoms
- Tinnitus could be temporary as your body adjusts, but only a doctor can properly evaluate whether it's likely to resolve
- Never adjust your tapering schedule or stop any medication without medical guidance, as this can lead to more frequent or severe seizures As for whether other MyEpilepsyTeam members have experienced this — tinnitus specifically after Clobazam tapering hasn't been widely shared in available discussions, but members do frequently talk about unexpected side effects from epilepsy medications.

Reaching out to your neurologist sooner rather than later is the best move here. Keeping a symptom diary noting when the tinnitus occurs and how intense it is can also be really helpful information to bring to that appointment. 🙂

July 3

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