Use of papaverine for the treatment of sudden deafness with diabetes mellitus

Abstract

Diabetes mellitus is a well-known cause of progressive sensorineural hearing loss but there is only a few reports about sudden deafness in diabetic patients. In the present paper three patients with non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM), presenting with idiopathic sudden hearing loss (ISHL), is reported. Papaverine hydrochloride, a selective cerebral vasodilator agent, was given by intravenous route to the patients. Two of the patients had complete and one had partial recovery with the therapy. No side-effect of the drug was observed and patients remained metabolically stable during treatment. We conclude that papaverine is a safe and effective agent in the treatment of diabetic patients with ISHL.