Vol. 489 No. 2
120 Ms Clune asked the Minister for Health and Children if his attention has been drawn to any connection between the taking of a brand of aspirin (details supplied) and subsequent hearing loss or defects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [Ref 7707/98]
The aspirin product indicated by the Deputy is an authorised medicine under the Medical Preparation (Licensing and Sales) Regulations, 1996. It was first authorised in 1978 and since that date I am advised that only one reportof suspected hearing loss associated with its use has been received. This report, which was made in 1993 to the then National Drugs Advisory Board, involved a patient who was reported to have developed gradual hearing loss with some uncertainty as to the onset of the symptoms Symptoms such as tinnitus, dizziness, hearing loss and deafness have been reported in the medical literature with high doses of salicylates such as acetylsalicylic acid — aspirin. However, levels giving rise to such symptoms do not normally occur at recommended doses of the aspirin product referred to.
