Vertigo is a state of dizziness or a feeling of spinning. According to "Adam and Victor’s Principles of Neurology," vertigo can arise from four primary sources: vertigo of brainstem origin, vertigo of vestibular nerve origin, vestibular neuritis and labyrinthine vertigo. The area located behind the hearing apparatus in the ear regulates balance in human beings, and alterations in this balance center produce vertigo. Prescription medications can be used to treat vertigo.
Antihistamines
Patients with vertigo may be prescribed the antihistamine medications cyclizine, meclizine or transdermal scopolamine. These medications act on the balance site in the ear to decrease excitability and lessen the vertigo. "Davis’s Drug Guide for Nurses" reports the daily pill dose for meclizine vary from 25 to 100 mg per day, and the transdermal scopolamine releases 0.5 to 1 mg over three days. "Goodman & Gilman’s Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics" notes that a daily pill dose for cyclizine is 50 mg. The cyclizine, meclizine and scopolamine produce dry mouth and may cause drowsiness.
Vestibular Suppressants
Promethazine and diphenhydramine have vestibular suppressant and antihistamine properties. Vestibular suppressants are drugs that act on the balance area in the ear. Promethazine also reduces nausea and vomiting. Both promethazine and diphenhydramine come in pill and injectable forms. "Goodman & Gilman’s Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics" states that a daily dose of promethazine ranges from 12.5 to 200 mg; the diphenhydramine dose varies from 25 to 100 mg per day. Both promethazine and diphenhydramine generate drowsiness as a side effect. The patient is advised to use caution if driving or operating machinery.
Anti-anxiety Medications
Some individuals with vertigo also display signs of high anxiety. To reduce the anxiety, a doctor may prescribe oral clonazepam. According to "Davis’s Drug Guide for Nurse," a therapeutic effect can be achieved with 0.5 to 20 mg of clonazepam per day. Since the drug may cause drowsiness, patients should avoid driving or working with equipment requiring wakefulness.
References
- “Adams and Victor’s Principles of Neurology”; A. H. Ropper & M. A. Samuels; 2009
- “Davis’s Drug Guide for Nurses”; Judith H. Deglin, et al.; 2010
- “Goodman & Gilman’s The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics”; Laurence L. Brunton, Ph.D.; 2006
