Meniere's Disease: Medications and Treatment Options

Ménière's disease is a disorder characterized by excess fluid and pressure in the inner ear. It affects hearing and balance and causes severe dizziness and vertigo. Several medications can provide effective treatment.

Symptom Prevention

• Diuretics, which reduce fluid retention, can regulate fluid volume and pressure in the inner ear. Some patients respond better to one diuretic than another.

Symptom Reduction

• Some oral medications can decrease the severity of an attack. Meclizine (Antivert), dimenhydrinate (Dramamine) and diazepam (Valium), for instance, can reduce vertigo. If anti-vertigo medicines are ineffective, anti-nausea medicines can control nausea and vomiting.

Injected Medicines

• Medicines can be injected into the middle ear to be absorbed by the inner ear and decrease vertigo. The antibiotic gentamicin and some steroids are possibilities.

Side Effects

• Because diuretics increase urination, they can cause dehydration and depletion of potassium and other minerals. Some anti-vertigo medications can cause drowsiness. Gentamicin can lead to further hearing loss.

Drugs to Avoid

• Some patients have success at preventing or decreasing Ménière's disease symptoms by avoiding alcohol, caffeine and nicotine.