Understanding and Treating Benign Positional Vertigo: Medications & Relief

Benign positional vertigo is a condition of the inner ear that causes a sudden spinning sensation or dizziness when a person changes the position of his or her head. In addition to dizziness, sufferers of benign positional vertigo also experience vomiting and vision problems. A number of medications are used to treat this condition.

Antihistamines

• Antihistamines are often used to treat benign positional vertigo. Antihistamines are used to prevent blood vessels from responding to the histamine in sensory nerve endings, which helps reduce the effects of the condition. Meclizine is one of the most common antihistamine medications prescribed to treat benign positional vertigo. Brand names for Meclizine are Antivert, Bonine, Postafen, Dramamine and Bonamine. Dimenhydrinate (Dimetab) is another antihistamine used to treat vertigo.

Anticholinergics

• Anticholinergics are prescribe to patients who suffer from benign positional vertigo because they inhibit nerve impulses that can cause the symptoms of the disorder. Scopolamine, a common anticholinergic, is often used in small doses to help treat the condition by reducing motion sickness.

Prochlorperazine

• Prochlorperazine is a medication that is commonly used to treat benign positional vertigo because it is said to reduce symptoms of vomiting and nausea that often accompany the condition. The medication works by blocking postsynaptic mesolimbic dopamine receptors.

Benzodiazepines

• Benzodiazepines work by binding to receptor sites to prevent the feeling of dizziness. Diazepam, commonly known as Valium, is a benzodiazepine. This medication depresses sensations, which reduces the symptoms of benign positional vertigo.

Other Treatments

• While medication can be used to treat benign positional vertigo, many patients use repositioning therapy either in conjunction with medication or to avoid the use of medication. The canalith repositioning procedure utilizes gravity to reposition calcium build-up that is the cause of the condition for many patients. The Epley maneuver is also a common treatment, which also works by repositioning loose particles in the inner ear that are thought to be the cause of some cases of benign positional vertigo.