Vertigo Medications and When to Use Them

Vertigo is a symptom that feels like dizziness or a spinning sensation while standing still. While vertigo itself is not life-threatening,  vertigo attacks can be quite disorienting. These symptoms can become more dangerous in elderly patients prone to dizzy spells.

Medication management with drugs like meclizine, an antihistamine, and migraine medications are often used to treat vertigo symptoms. Your doctor may also recommend medications to treat the underlying conditions causing your vertigo.

While many of these drugs can treat vertigo symptoms quite quickly, most should be viewed as a short-term solution in vertigo patients.

There are 2 main types of vertigo: peripheral and central vertigo. Peripheral vertigo is much more common and typically caused by inner ear conditions. Central vertigo can stem from central nervous system disorders like multiple sclerosis, strokes, or brain illnesses or infections.

Cervical vertigo is often considered a third type by many vertigo specialists, especially following a neck injury or head trauma.

What triggers vertigo attacks?  Head injury, an inner ear condition, or unexpected head movements can all trigger vertigo attacks. Common underlying causes of vertigo include:

A vertigo diagnosis typically comes with a primary diagnosis for the underlying cause of your symptoms. Your doctor will ask for a detailed health history and account of your symptoms, including what you were doing just before your first vertigo attack. From there, your diagnosis may include:

Once your primary care physician understands the case of your vertigo, they may prescribe medication as part of your vertigo treatment plan.

In some cases of vertigo, medication may provide some immediate relief as you work with your physician on identifying the underlying causes of your dizziness. Medications are typically prescribed to treat acute vertigo attacks, rather than as a long-term strategy.

For example, migraine sufferers may benefit from migraine prevention medications when exposed to known migraine triggers. Patients with vertigo due to blood pressure dysregulation may benefit from calcium channel blockers.

Vertigo patients with underlying neurological conditions may also benefit from drugs that address those conditions and improve their overall quality of life. The focus for many patients is simpler: They want to reduce episodes of vertigo.

What is best medicine for vertigo?  The best medicine for vertigo in many patients is medication that relieves nausea and dizziness, the primary symptoms reported by vertigo sufferers. This includes dimenhydrinate and meclizine, medications often prescribed for motion sickness.

What are some of the common medications for vertigo?  Some of the most common medications for vertigo are antihistamines, benzodiazepines, diuretics, and corticosteroids.

Medications are prescribed based on your symptoms. Some target inflammation, while others prevent nausea or vomiting. Most are meant for acute symptoms only. Before taking any prescribed medication, make sure your doctor knows about any drug allergies.

You should also report medications you are already on to avoid interactions that may worsen your symptoms. Dizziness, for example, is a  side effect  of many medications.

What are the side effects of some of these medications?  The side effects of some of these medications may resemble vertigo. From there, side effects vary by medication, as drug treatment for vertigo includes a wide variety of medications.

We’ll detail possible side effects with each category of medication frequently prescribed for vertigo symptoms. Note: alcohol should always be avoided with any vertigo medication.

Doctors often recommend antihistamines, or allergy medications, to combat the nausea and vomiting that accompany  peripheral vertigo. Some anticholinergics and antiemetics fall under this category, as well.

Antiemetics in particular work by blocking the chemical messengers in the brain that cause those feelings of nausea. They are commonly prescribed for patients undergoing chemotherapy. More common antihistamines used for vertigo include:

Many of these medications are available over-the-counter. Before using them for your episodes of vertigo, it’s important to speak to your primary care physician first.

Some of these drugs may interact with other medications you’re taking. Possible side effects of antihistamines include:

Benzodiazepines are anti-anxiety medications that may also relieve dizziness in vertigo patients. They work by  suppressing the vestibular system  and essentially acting as a sedative. These drugs should only be prescribed in small doses.

Benzodiazepines commonly prescribed for vertigo include:

These drugs come with a number of precautions, including a risk of addiction. Benzodiazepines should not be prescribed as a long-term strategy for vertigo sufferers, as they may come with withdrawal symptoms once you stop taking them.

Additional side effects include:

Diuretics, or water pills, are a  common treatment  for inner ear disorders like Meniere’s disease. They may also allieviate symptoms of hearing dysfunction in some vertigo sufferers by reducing fluid in the ear. Frequently prescribed diuretics for vertigo sufferers include:

There is evidence that the drug may also  lower blood pressure  to dangerous levels in some patients. It’s important to share a complete health history with your doctor before starting any medication regimen, especially if you have problems with blood pressure regulation.

Additional side effects of these drugs may include:

Corticosteroids are steroid drugs often prescribed for vertigo patients with inner ear disorders, including inner ear inflammation. They work by reducing inflammation and swelling that cause vertigo symptoms.

These drugs are typically prescribed for short-term use until your condition improves. Corticosteroids commonly prescribed for vertigo patients include:

Studies show mixed results with these medications in vertigo patients. One study showed little evidence that the medication works with  vestibular neuritis  patients. Another reported positive results in  Meniere’s patients.

Your own success on the drug may depend on the exact cause of your symptoms. Possible side effects include:

It is important to note that treating the underlying cause of your vertigo is the best first course of action for long-term relief. Medication management may help relieve your symptoms, but in many cases of vertigo, it won’t address the true cause of your dizziness.

In some cases, medications may simply mask what’s really going on, especially if you’re taking medications without a direct diagnosis for the cause of your vertigo. Outside of medication, a complete vertigo treatment plan may include:

If your vertigo symptoms are the result of a neck injury or misalignment in your upper cervical spine, help is waiting for you at Georgia Upper Cervical Chiropractic. Long-term relief for our patients is our primary goal, without a focus on long-term medication.