Treatment of vertigo is intended to reduce the sensation of dizziness. According to Dr. Michael Strupp and Dr. Thomas Brandt, treatment may include medication, physiotherapy, psychotherapy, and in rare cases surgery. When diagnosed with vertigo there are several types of medications a doctor may suggest. There are medications taken during vertigo attacks, long-term medications meant to reduce fluid retention and middle ear injections.
Anti-Nausea and Motion Sickness Drugs
Medications taken during an episode of vertigo are generally anti-nausea or motion sickness medications. According to the Mayo Clinic, motion sickness medications may include meclizine, also known as Antivert, or diazepam, which is commonly known as Valium. These reduce the sensation of vertigo. Anti-nausea medications help to control nausea and vomiting during vertigo, and include prochlorperazine. These medications are only taken during an attack and are intended to reduce the symptoms of vertigo. Meclizine, or Antivert, can be taken up to three times a day, or on an as needed basis. These medications can often be taken nasally as a decongestant spray, or orally as decongestants or antihistamines.
Diuretics
Long-term diuretic medications help reduce fluid retention and lower the pressure in the inner ear. A combination of the drugs triamterene and hydrochlorothiazide, Dyazide and Maxzide, respectively, may help reduce fluid retention. This reduction of fluid retention reduces pressure in your inner ear. These medications will cause the user to urinate more often and mineral supplements may be necessary to maintain a healthy balance of potassium. Potassium-rich foods may also be added to the diet to cope with the potassium loss.
Middle Ear Injections
Middle ear injections are injected directly into the middle ear and absorbed into the inner ear. These may also help with vertigo symptoms. One of the medications that can be injected is gentamicin, which is toxic to the inner ear. This antibiotic may reduce the number of vertigo attacks and reduce their severity. There is a risk of hearing loss with this method. Steroids are also used to control attacks. According to the Mayo Clinic, steroids like dexamethason may be somewhat less effective than gentamicin, but less likely to cause hearing loss.
Other Medications
If these medications are ineffective then others can be prescribed. According to Health Communities, benzodiazepines like clonazepam, known as Kloonopin, or antihistamines, like promethazine may be tried. Side effects of these drugs include drowsiness. Clonazepam side effects also range from lack of coordination to confusion. Promethazine side effects include fatigue, insomnia, and tremors. A course of corticosteroids like prednisone may be used early in the progression of vertigo.
