Vertigo is the sensation that the room is spinning or that one's head is spinning inside. The uncomfortable disorder can stem from a wide variety of causes. Accompanying symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, ringing in the ears, falling, involuntary eye movements and hearing problems. Treatment is dependent on the cause of the condition. Physicians use medication, surgery and manipulation of the head to treat vertigo.
Meclizine Hydrochloride
Meclizine hydrochloride is an oral medication taken for vertigo due to conditions such as motion sickness. It is sometimes prescribed as a preventative measure to be taken prior to travel on a boat, train or automobile, explains the "2010 Lippincott's Nursing Drug Guide."
Scopolamine Hydrobromide
Scopolamine hydrobromide is a medication administered orally, as a shot into the muscle or fat layer under the skin, or as a patch placed behind the ear. Individuals using scopolamine are cautioned to avoid hot environments to avoid a serious reaction, explains Lippincott's drug guide.
Antibiotics
When vertigo is due to an infection of the middle or inner ear, antibiotics may be prescribed. Oral preparations of ceftriaxone and amoxicillin are commonly prescribed for this purpose. It is important to finish the prescribed course of antibiotic treatment and not discontinue taking it when the vertigo improves. An antibiotic called gentamicin is sometimes used to treat Meniere's disease, the cause of some cases of vertigo. This medication is injected into the middle ear and left for a short period of time.
Antidepressants
Antidepressants are oral medications used to treat vertigo due to migraines or anxiety. Tricyclic antidepressants such as nortriptyline hydrochloride and amitriptyline hydrochloride are sometimes used to treat migraines, another cause of vertigo in some individuals. It is important to limit sun exposure while taking tricyclic antidepressants. This can be avoided by using sunscreen or protective clothing, explains Lippincott's drug guide. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, or SSRIs, such as fluoxetine hydrochloride and paroxetine hydrochloride are occasionally employed to treat anxiety, the root cause of some cases of vertigo. SSRIs should not be stopped abruptly after long-term use without physician guidance.
Dimenhydrinate
Dimenhydrinate works to control motion sickness that leads to vertigo. It is given orally, as an injection into the muscle or as an injection into the vein, explains the American Academy of Family Physicians. It is often prescribed as a preventative for individuals with a history of vertigo while traveling.
Benzodiazepines
Benzodiazepines such as diazepam and lorazepam are medications used for a range of psychiatric purposes. They are sometimes prescribed for vertigo, usually in oral form. These drugs are controlled substances that are addictive for some individuals.
References
- “2010 Lippincott’s Nursing Drug Guide”; Amy M. Karch, R.N., M.S.; 2010
- "Medical-Surgical Nursing"; Donna Ignatavicius, M.S., R.N. and Linda Workman, Ph.D., R.N.; 2002
- American Academy of Family Physicians: Treatment of Vertigo
- MayoClinic.com: Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo
