What is vertigo and how does it differ from dizziness. How common is vertigo and what are its main causes. What treatments are available for vertigo, including exercises and medications. How can diet impact vertigo symptoms.

Understanding Vertigo: More Than Just Dizziness

Vertigo is a condition that can be both alarming and disorienting. Often mistaken for simple dizziness, vertigo is characterized by a distinct sensation of spinning or whirling. This illusion of motion can be accompanied by nausea and vomiting, making it a particularly unpleasant experience.

How does vertigo differ from dizziness? While dizziness typically involves feelings of lightheadedness or loss of balance, vertigo creates a false sense that either you or your surroundings are rotating. This key distinction is crucial for proper diagnosis and treatment.

The Prevalence of Vertigo: Who’s at Risk?

Vertigo can affect individuals of all ages, but it’s particularly common among older adults. Statistics show that approximately 30% of people over 65 experience vertigo at some point in their lives. However, it’s rare to encounter vertigo before the age of 20.

Is vertigo becoming more prevalent? While there’s no clear evidence of an increase in overall incidence, greater awareness and improved diagnostic techniques may lead to more reported cases. Additionally, as the global population ages, we might see a rise in vertigo-related complaints.

Age-Related Factors Contributing to Vertigo

• Deterioration of inner ear structures
• Increased susceptibility to balance disorders
• Higher likelihood of developing conditions that cause vertigo
• Changes in blood flow to the brain

The Inner Ear Connection: Understanding Vertigo’s Root Causes

At the heart of most vertigo cases lies the vestibular system, located in our inner ears. This intricate system is responsible for our sense of balance and spatial orientation. When something disrupts this delicate mechanism, vertigo often ensues.

What are the primary medical conditions that lead to vertigo? Several disorders can affect the inner ear and trigger vertigo symptoms:

1. Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV): The most common cause, often triggered by sudden head movements
2. Labyrinthitis: Inflammation of the inner ear
3. Meniere’s Disease: A disorder characterized by fluid buildup in the inner ear
4. Vestibular Neuritis: An infection affecting the nerves that connect the inner ear to the brain
5. Vestibular Migraines: A type of migraine that can cause vertigo symptoms

Can other health conditions contribute to vertigo? Indeed, vertigo can also be a symptom of more serious conditions such as stroke, multiple sclerosis, or head injuries. In some cases, even common colds can temporarily affect the inner ear and lead to vertigo.

Unexpected Triggers: When Everyday Activities Cause Vertigo

While medical conditions are often at the root of vertigo, certain activities and situations can unexpectedly trigger episodes. Understanding these triggers can help individuals manage their symptoms more effectively.

Common Vertigo Triggers

• High-intensity aerobic exercises
• Rough bike rides or other jarring activities
• Prolonged head positions (e.g., at the dentist or hair salon)
• Extended bed rest
• Playing 3D video games

Can lifestyle changes help prevent vertigo episodes? For some individuals, avoiding or modifying certain activities may reduce the frequency of vertigo attacks. However, it’s essential to consult with a healthcare professional to determine the underlying cause and appropriate management strategies.

Acute vs. Chronic Vertigo: Understanding the Duration

Vertigo experiences can vary significantly in terms of frequency and duration. Some individuals may have a single, isolated episode, while others grapple with recurring bouts over extended periods.

How long does vertigo typically last? The duration of vertigo symptoms can range from a few seconds to several days, depending on the underlying cause. Acute vertigo often resolves on its own, but chronic cases may require ongoing management and treatment.

Seeking Professional Help for Vertigo

When should you consult a doctor for vertigo? It’s advisable to seek medical attention if:

• Vertigo symptoms persist or recur frequently
• Vertigo is accompanied by other neurological symptoms
• The condition significantly impacts your daily life
• You experience sudden, severe vertigo with no apparent cause

Which medical specialists treat vertigo? Depending on the suspected cause, you may be referred to:

1. Neurologists
2. Otolaryngologists (ENT doctors)
3. Vestibular rehabilitation specialists

Therapeutic Exercises: A Non-Invasive Approach to Vertigo Treatment

For many vertigo sufferers, specially designed exercises can provide significant relief. These techniques aim to reposition displaced inner ear crystals or retrain the brain’s balance system, depending on the underlying cause of vertigo.

Canalith Repositioning Procedures for BPPV

How effective are particle repositioning exercises for BPPV? Studies show that about 70-80% of BPPV cases can be resolved in a single treatment session using these maneuvers. The most common techniques include:

• Epley Maneuver
• Semont Maneuver
• Foster Maneuver (Half Somersault)

Vestibular Rehabilitation Exercises

What types of exercises help with other forms of vertigo? Vestibular rehabilitation therapy often includes:

1. Gaze stabilization exercises
2. Balance training
3. Habituation exercises
4. Tai Chi (which has shown promise for vestibular disorders)

Can these exercises be done at home? While many vestibular exercises can be performed at home, it’s crucial to receive proper instruction from a qualified healthcare provider to ensure safety and effectiveness.

Surgical Interventions: When Conservative Treatments Fall Short

In some cases, particularly when other treatments have proven ineffective, surgical options may be considered for vertigo management. However, surgery is typically reserved as a last resort due to potential risks and complications.

What surgical procedures are available for vertigo? The type of surgery depends on the underlying cause:

• Endolymphatic sac decompression for Meniere’s disease
• Labyrinthectomy for severe cases of Meniere’s disease
• Vestibular nerve section for intractable vertigo
• Posterior canal plugging for persistent BPPV

What are the risks associated with vertigo surgeries? As with any surgical procedure, there are potential complications, including:

1. Hearing loss
2. Balance problems
3. Tinnitus
4. Facial nerve damage

Given these risks, surgical interventions are carefully considered and discussed with patients before proceeding.

Medication Management: Navigating Pharmaceutical Options for Vertigo

While medications play a role in vertigo treatment, their use is generally more focused on acute episodes rather than long-term management of chronic conditions. The choice of medication depends on the underlying cause and severity of symptoms.

Common Medications Used for Vertigo

• Antihistamines (e.g., meclizine)
• Anticholinergics (e.g., scopolamine)
• Benzodiazepines (e.g., diazepam)
• Antiemetics for nausea and vomiting

How do these medications work? Most vertigo medications act as vestibular suppressants, reducing the intensity of symptoms by dampening the nervous system’s response to balance disturbances. Some also help alleviate associated symptoms like nausea.

Preventive Medications for Specific Conditions

Can medications prevent vertigo episodes? For certain conditions, such as vestibular migraines, preventive medications may be prescribed. These might include:

1. Beta-blockers
2. Calcium channel blockers
3. Antidepressants
4. Anticonvulsants

It’s important to note that medication strategies should be tailored to individual needs and regularly reviewed by a healthcare provider.

Dietary Considerations: The Impact of Food and Drink on Vertigo

For individuals dealing with chronic vertigo, particularly those with conditions like vestibular migraines or Meniere’s disease, dietary choices can significantly influence symptom frequency and severity.

Key Dietary Recommendations for Vertigo Management

• Reduce caffeine intake
• Limit or avoid nicotine
• Moderate alcohol consumption
• Decrease salt intake
• Minimize added sugars
• Maintain consistent eating and drinking patterns throughout the day

Why do these dietary changes help? Many of these substances can affect fluid balance in the body or stimulate the nervous system, potentially exacerbating vertigo symptoms. Maintaining stable hydration and blood sugar levels can help reduce the likelihood of vertigo episodes.

Specific Dietary Considerations for Vestibular Migraines

What foods should be avoided for vestibular migraine-related vertigo? Common trigger foods include:

1. Aged cheeses
2. Processed meats
3. Chocolate
4. Artificial sweeteners
5. MSG

Keeping a food diary can help identify personal triggers and inform a tailored dietary approach to managing vertigo symptoms.

Lifestyle Adaptations: Minimizing Vertigo’s Impact on Daily Life

Living with vertigo often requires making certain adjustments to daily routines and environments. These adaptations can help reduce the frequency of episodes and improve overall quality of life.

Environmental Modifications

• Install handrails in bathrooms and along staircases
• Use night lights to improve visibility during nighttime movement
• Remove throw rugs and other tripping hazards
• Organize living spaces to minimize the need for sudden head movements

Activity Adjustments

How can daily activities be modified to accommodate vertigo? Consider the following strategies:

1. Rise slowly from lying or sitting positions
2. Avoid rapid head movements, especially when changing positions
3. Use a cane or walker if balance is significantly affected
4. Practice relaxation techniques to manage stress, which can exacerbate symptoms
5. Engage in gentle, balance-promoting exercises like tai chi or yoga

Can technology help manage vertigo symptoms? Some individuals find relief using:

• Vestibular training apps
• Wearable devices that provide balance feedback
• Virtual reality systems for vestibular rehabilitation

While these technologies show promise, it’s essential to discuss their use with a healthcare provider to ensure they’re appropriate for your specific condition.

The Psychological Impact of Vertigo: Addressing Mental Health Concerns

Chronic vertigo can have significant psychological effects, impacting mental health and overall well-being. Recognizing and addressing these aspects is crucial for comprehensive vertigo management.

Common Psychological Challenges Associated with Vertigo

• Anxiety about future episodes
• Depression related to lifestyle limitations
• Social isolation due to fear of symptoms in public
• Reduced self-confidence in physical abilities

How can these psychological impacts be addressed? Strategies may include:

1. Cognitive-behavioral therapy
2. Mindfulness and relaxation techniques
3. Support groups for individuals with vestibular disorders
4. Consultation with a mental health professional

Can psychological interventions improve vertigo symptoms? While they may not directly affect the physical symptoms, addressing mental health concerns can significantly improve overall quality of life and may indirectly reduce symptom severity by lowering stress levels.

Emerging Research: New Frontiers in Vertigo Treatment

The field of vestibular research is continuously evolving, with new treatments and diagnostic tools on the horizon. Staying informed about these developments can provide hope and new options for individuals struggling with vertigo.

Promising Areas of Research

• Gene therapy for inherited vestibular disorders
• Stem cell treatments to regenerate inner ear cells
• Advanced imaging techniques for more precise diagnosis
• Implantable vestibular prostheses

How might these advancements change vertigo treatment in the future? While many of these technologies are still in early stages, they hold the potential to offer more targeted, effective treatments with fewer side effects.

Integrative Approaches to Vertigo Management

What role might complementary therapies play in vertigo treatment? Some areas of interest include:

1. Acupuncture for balance disorders
2. Herbal remedies with potential vestibular benefits
3. Biofeedback techniques for symptom management
4. Nutritional approaches to supporting vestibular health

While these approaches may offer additional support, it’s crucial to discuss their use with a healthcare provider to ensure they don’t interfere with conventional treatments.

10 Things to Know About Vertigo

Ever tilted your head back–and suddenly found the world spinning around you?

You likely had an episode of vertigo, which is a common but frightening experience, especially the first time it strikes. One minute you are fine, and the next you feel scarily out of control, caught in a whirling that won’t stop.

What is vertigo, what can cause it, and what can you do about it? Here are 10 things you need to know.

1. Vertigo is not the same thing as dizziness.

Vertigo is an illusion of motion: You feel like the room is spinning around you or that you are whirling. You also may experience nausea and vomiting.

Dizziness is marked by lightheadedness or loss of balance.

2. Vertigo is common, especially as you get older.

You can get vertigo at any age, but usually not before age 20. As you get older, you are more likely to experience the condition. Among people older than 65, about 30% experience vertigo at some point.

3. Vertigo is usually caused by medical conditions that disrupt our inner ear.

Our sense of balance is directed by our vestibular system, which is located in our inner ears. Sometimes, medical conditions occur that disrupt this system. The result: vertigo.

Medical conditions that cause vertigo include:

• Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV): the most common cause of vertigo, typically associated with a sudden change in the position of your head

• Labyrnthitis: an inflammation of the inner ear

• Meniere’s disease: a disorder in which fluid builds up in the inner ear

• Vestibular neuritis: an infection of the nerves connecting the inner ear to the brain

• Vestibular migraines

• Colds

• Stroke

• Multiple sclerosis

• Head injury

4. Riding your bike on a rough trail or doing high-intensity aerobics can bring on vertigo.

Other triggers include having your head in one position for a long time, like at the dentist’s office or hair salon, or while on bed rest.

Some people even get brief episodes of vertigo from playing 3D video games.

5. Vertigo can be either acute or chronic.

Some people experience vertigo once and never again. Other people have chronic, recurring episodes of vertigo.

Often vertigo goes away on its own. If it doesn’t, it can be treated either by your general practitioner or by specialists, such as neurologists or ENT (ear, nose and throat) doctors.

6. Exercises can help treat some types of vertigo.

Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) is caused by tiny calcium crystals breaking free in your inner ear chamber. Doctors can use a series of exercises to move these particles so that they no longer cause problems. About 70 to 80% of BPPV sufferers are cured in a single visit.

Other kinds of exercises can help other types of vertigo. Vestibular rehabilitation exercises help people whose inner ears have been damaged by retraining the brain’s balance system. Common exercises include moving your eyes from side to side and rotating your head. Tai chi also is helpful for people with vestibular disorders.

7. Some types of vertigo can be treated surgically.

Surgery isn’t typically done unless more conservative measures have failed to work. However, it can be effective for some conditions, such as Meniere’s disease.

BPPV also can be addressed surgically for patients who don’t respond to particle positioning exercises. The procedure carries the risk of hearing loss.

8. Medications are generally used for acute, not chronic, cases of vertigo.

Medications can help treat and prevent vertigo, depending on what is causing your symptoms. For example, if your vertigo is caused by vestibular migraine, you may receive medications to prevent the migraine from occurring.

Other kinds of vestibular suppressant drugs can help during sudden, temporary attacks of vertigo, but generally are not used for chronic conditions.

9. Your diet can make a difference.

If you have chronic vertigo, particularly due to vestibular migraine or Meniere’s disease, avoiding caffeine, nicotine, alcohol, salt and sugar can help, as well as eating and drinking regularly throughout the day to maintain a good fluid balance. People who have vestibular migraine also should avoid common migraine triggers (such as foods containing the amino acid tyramine).

10. If vertigo is accompanied by other symptoms, seek ER help.

If your vertigo recurs for more than a week, see your doctor. But if you also have other symptoms, like a severe new headache, fever, vision problems, trouble speaking, hearing loss, leg or arm weakness, or loss of consciousness, seek emergency help.

BPPV & Vertigo Symptoms | When to See a Doctor for Dizziness

Dizziness is a feeling of lightheadedness or even a feeling that you could fall or pass out. Dizziness is often temporary for most people, but in more severe instances, it can be accompanied by nausea, vomiting, clamminess or cold sweat, imbalance, and fainting.

While not a medical condition on its own, dizziness and dizzy spells can be symptoms that result from many factors, ranging from relatively harmless to life threatening. Either way, dizziness—especially when combined with other symptoms—should never be taken lightly.

Common Causes of Dizziness

In many cases, dizziness occurs due to a temporary situation or condition. Once the root cause is treated, the dizziness also goes away. Some common causes of temporary dizziness include:

Many different medications, including antidepressants, high blood pressure medicines, and sedatives also can cause dizziness. If you take medications, look at the drug information label for known side effects, and tell your doctor about the dizziness. Your doctor can help determine if one or more of your medications could be the cause.

If you have been diagnosed with a chronic condition such as anemia or diabetes, tell your doctor about dizzy spells so you can adjust your lifestyle or treatment as needed. If you do not have a current diagnosis and experience dizziness, see your doctor to determine if it’s related to an underlying condition.

Dizziness Treatment at Home

Treating less severe dizziness focuses on stopping the sensation of feeling unbalanced or lightheaded. Some of the following tactics can reduce dizzy spells and help pinpoint the severity of the dizziness:

If dizziness persists or gets worse, or is accompanied by additional symptoms, seek immediate care (call 911).

When Dizziness Could Be Signaling an Emergency

In some cases, dizziness can be caused by more serious, life-threatening conditions like heart attack or stroke. Call 911 immediately if your dizziness is associated with:

In temporary cases of dizziness, your primary care provider can evaluate your symptoms with your medical history to determine if you may have an underlying chronic condition. Depending on your diagnosis, your doctor may refer you to a specialist, such as an ENT (ear, nose, throat) doctor, endocrinologist, cardiologist, or hematologist. In urgent and emergency care situations, such as dizziness with other heart attack or stroke symptoms, an emergency doctor will treat your acute condition, then refer you to an appropriate specialist for further treatment.

Dizzy spells are a common physical experience for many people. By knowing when dizzy spells could signal a chronic or emergency condition, you can take prompt action and find effective—possibly life-saving—treatment.

Dizziness – Diagnosis and treatment

Diagnosis

If your doctor suspects you are having or may have had a stroke, are older or suffered a blow to the head, he or she may immediately order an MRI or CT scan.

Most people visiting their doctor because of dizziness will first be asked about their symptoms and medications and then be given a physical examination. During this exam, your doctor will check how you walk and maintain your balance and how the major nerves of your central nervous system are working.

You may also need a hearing test and balance tests, including:

• Eye movement testing. Your doctor may watch the path of your eyes when you track a moving object. And you may be given an eye motion test in which water or air is placed in your ear canal.
• Head movement testing. If your doctor suspects your vertigo is caused by benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, he or she may do a simple head movement test called the Dix-Hallpike maneuver to verify the diagnosis.
• Posturography. This test tells your doctor which parts of the balance system you rely on the most and which parts may be giving you problems. You stand in your bare feet on a platform and try to keep your balance under various conditions.
• Rotary chair testing. During this test you sit in a computer-controlled chair that moves very slowly in a full circle. At faster speeds, it moves back and forth in a very small arc.

In addition, you may be given blood tests to check for infection and other tests to check heart and blood vessel health.

Treatment

Dizziness often gets better without treatment. Within a couple of weeks, the body usually adapts to whatever is causing it.

If you seek treatment, your doctor will base it on the cause of your condition and your symptoms. It may include medications and balance exercises. Even if no cause is found or if your dizziness persists, prescription drugs and other treatments may make your symptoms more manageable.

Medications

• Water pills. If you have Meniere’s disease, your doctor may prescribe a water pill (diuretic). This along with a low-salt diet may help reduce how often you have dizziness episodes.
• Medications that relieve dizziness and nausea. Your doctor may prescribe drugs to provide immediate relief from vertigo, dizziness and nausea, including prescription antihistamines and anticholinergics. Many of these drugs cause drowsiness.
• Anti-anxiety medications. Diazepam (Valium) and alprazolam (Xanax) are in a class of drugs called benzodiazepines, which may cause addiction. They may also cause drowsiness.
• Preventive medicine for migraine. Certain medicines may help prevent migraine attacks.

Therapy

• Head position maneuvers. A technique called canalith repositioning (or Epley maneuver) usually helps resolve benign paroxysmal positional vertigo more quickly than simply waiting for your dizziness to go away. It can be done by your doctor, an audiologist or a physical therapist and involves maneuvering the position of your head. It’s usually effective after one or two treatments. Before undergoing this procedure, tell your care provider if you have a neck or back condition, a detached retina, or blood vessel problems.
• Balance therapy. You may learn specific exercises to help make your balance system less sensitive to motion. This physical therapy technique is called vestibular rehabilitation. It is used for people with dizziness from inner ear conditions such as vestibular neuritis.
• Psychotherapy. This type of therapy may help people whose dizziness is caused by anxiety disorders.

Surgical or other procedures

• Injections. Your doctor may inject your inner ear with the antibiotic gentamicin to disable the balance function. The unaffected ear takes over that function.
• Removal of the inner ear sense organ. A procedure that’s rarely used is called labyrinthectomy. It disables the vestibular labyrinth in the affected ear. The other ear takes over the balance function. This technique may be used if you have serious hearing loss and your dizziness hasn’t responded to other treatments.

Clinical trials

Explore Mayo Clinic studies testing new treatments, interventions and tests as a means to prevent, detect, treat or manage this condition.

Lifestyle and home remedies

If you tend to experience repeated episodes of dizziness, consider these tips:

• Be aware of the possibility of losing your balance, which can lead to falling and serious injury.
• Avoid moving suddenly and walk with a cane for stability, if needed.
• Fall-proof your home by removing tripping hazards such as area rugs and exposed electrical cords. Use nonslip mats on your bath and shower floors. Use good lighting.
• Sit or lie down immediately when you feel dizzy. Lie still with your eyes closed in a darkened room if you’re experiencing a severe episode of vertigo.
• Avoid driving a car or operating heavy machinery if you experience frequent dizziness without warning.
• Avoid using caffeine, alcohol, salt and tobacco. Excessive use of these substances can worsen your signs and symptoms.
• Drink enough fluids, eat a healthy diet, get enough sleep and avoid stress.
• If your dizziness is caused by a medication, talk with your doctor about discontinuing it or lowering the dose.
• If your dizziness comes with nausea, try an over-the-counter (nonprescription) antihistamine, such as meclizine or dimenhydrinate (Dramamine). These may cause drowsiness. Nondrowsy antihistamines aren’t as effective.
• If your dizziness is caused by overheating or dehydration, rest in a cool place and drink water or a sports drink (Gatorade, Powerade, others).

Preparing for your appointment

Your family doctor or primary care provider will probably be able to diagnose and treat the cause of your dizziness. He or she you may refer you to an ear, nose and throat (ENT) specialist or a doctor who specializes in the brain and nervous system (neurologist).

Here’s some information to help you get ready for your appointment.

What you can do

• Be aware of any pre-appointment restrictions. At the time you make the appointment, be sure to ask if there’s anything you need to do in advance, such as restrict your diet. If you’re scheduled for vestibular testing, your doctor will provide instructions regarding any medications to withhold the night before and what to eat on the day of testing.
• Be prepared to describe your dizziness in specific terms. When you have an episode of dizziness, do you feel like the room is spinning, or like you are spinning in the room? Do you feel like you might pass out? Your description of these symptoms is crucial to helping your doctor make a diagnosis.
• List any other health conditions or symptoms you have, including any that may seem unrelated to your dizziness. For example, if you have felt depressed or anxious recently, this is important information for your doctor.
• List key personal information, including any major stresses or recent life changes.
• Make a list of all prescription and over-the-counter medications, vitamins or supplements that you’re taking.
• List questions to ask your doctor.

Your time with your doctor is limited, so preparing a list of questions ahead of time will help you make the most of your time together. For dizziness, some basic questions to ask your doctor include:

• What’s the most likely cause of my symptoms?
• Are there any other possible causes for my symptoms?
• What tests do you recommend?
• Is this problem likely temporary or long lasting?
• Is it possible my symptoms will go away without treatment?
• What treatment options might help?
• Do I need to follow any restrictions? For example, is it safe for me to drive?
• Should I see a specialist?
• Is there a generic alternative to the medicine you’re prescribing?
• Do you have any brochures or other printed material that I can take home with me? What websites do you recommend?

What to expect from your doctor

Your doctor will likely ask you a number of questions about your dizziness, such as:

• Can you describe what you felt the first time you had an episode of dizziness?
• Is your dizziness continuous, or does it occur in spells or episodes?
• If your dizziness occurs in episodes, how long do these episodes last?
• How often do your dizziness episodes occur?
• When do your dizzy spells seem to happen, and what triggers them?
• Does your dizziness cause the room to spin or produce a sensation of motion?
• When you feel dizzy, do you also feel faint or lightheaded?
• Does your dizziness cause you to lose your balance?
• Are your symptoms accompanied by a ringing or fullness in your ears (tinnitus) or trouble hearing?
• Does your vision blur?
• Is your dizziness made worse by moving your head?
• What medications, vitamins or supplements are you taking?

What you can do in the meantime

If you tend to feel lightheaded when you stand up, take your time making changes in posture. If you have had episodes of dizziness while driving, arrange for alternate transportation while you’re waiting to see your doctor.

If your dizziness causes you to feel like you might fall, take steps to reduce your risk. Keep your home well lighted and free of hazards that might cause you to trip. Avoid area rugs and exposed electrical cords. Place furniture where you’re unlikely to bump into it, and use nonslip mats in the bathtub and on shower floors.

Oct. 15, 2020

List of 13 Vertigo Medications Compared

Other names: Balance Disorder; Benign Positional Vertigo; BPV; Dizziness; Lightheadedness, dizzy; Loss of balance

About Vertigo

An illusion of movement, a sensation as if the external world were revolving around the patient

Drugs used to treat Vertigo

The following list of medications are in some way related to, or used in the treatment of this condition.

Learn more about Vertigo

IBM Watson Micromedex

Symptoms and treatments

Mayo Clinic Reference

Legend

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Medical Disclaimer

Meclizine: Uses, Dosage & Side Effects

Generic Name: meclizine (MEK li zeen)
Brand Name: Antivert, Bonine, D-Vert, Dramamine Less Drowsy, Driminate II, Meclicot, Medivert, Ru-Vert-M, Meni-D

Medically reviewed by Sanjai Sinha, MD. Last updated on Dec 11, 2020.

What is meclizine?

Meclizine is an antihistamine that reduces the effects of natural chemical histamine in the body.

Meclizine is used to treat or prevent nausea, vomiting, and dizziness caused by motion sickness. It is also used to treat symptoms of vertigo (dizziness or spinning sensation) caused by disease that affects your inner ear.

Meclizine may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Warnings

You should not take this medication if you are allergic to meclizine.

Before you take meclizine, tell your doctor if you have liver or kidney disease, asthma, glaucoma, an enlarged prostate, or urination problems.

This medication may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be alert.

Drinking alcohol can increase certain side effects of meclizine.

Cold or allergy medicine, sedatives, narcotic pain medicine, sleeping pills, muscle relaxers, and medicine for seizures, depression or anxiety can add to sleepiness caused by meclizine.

Before taking this medicine

You should not use meclizine if you are allergic to it.

To make sure meclizine is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have any of these conditions:

• liver disease;

• kidney disease;

• asthma;

• glaucoma;

• enlarged prostate; or

• urination problems.

FDA pregnancy category B. Meclizine is not expected to harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.

It is not known whether meclizine passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

This medicine should not be given to a child younger than 12 years old.

How should I take meclizine?

Use meclizine exactly as directed by your doctor. Follow all directions on your prescription label. Do not take this medicine in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.

The chewable tablet must be chewed before you swallow it.

To prevent motion sickness, take meclizine about 1 hour before you travel or engage in activity that causes motion sickness. You may take a dose once every 24 hours while you are traveling, to further prevent motion sickness.

To treat vertigo, you may need to take meclizine several times daily. Follow your doctor’s instructions.

This medication can affect the results of allergy skin tests. Tell any doctor who treats you that you are using meclizine.

Store at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Since meclizine is sometimes taken only when needed, you may not be on a dosing schedule. If you are taking the medication regularly, take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

What should I avoid?

This medication may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be alert.

Drinking alcohol can increase certain side effects of meclizine.

Meclizine side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction to meclizine: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Common meclizine side effects may include:

• headache;

• vomiting;

• dry mouth;

• tired feeling; or

• drowsiness.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What other drugs will affect meclizine?

Taking meclizine with other drugs that make you sleepy or slow your breathing can increase these effects. Ask your doctor before taking meclizine with a sleeping pill, narcotic pain medicine, muscle relaxer, or medicine for anxiety, depression, or seizures.

Tell your doctor about all medicines you use, and those you start or stop using during your treatment with this medicine, especially:

• cinacalcet;

• quinidine;

• terbinafine; or

• the antidepressants bupropion, duloxetine, fluoxetine, paroxetine, or sertraline.

Other drugs may interact with meclizine, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell each of your healthcare providers about all medicines you use now, and any medicine you start or stop using.

Further information

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use meclizine only for the indication prescribed.

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Medical Disclaimer

Copyright 1996-2021 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version: 6.01.

Bonine Uses, Side Effects & Warnings

Generic Name: meclizine (MEK li zeen)
Brand Name: Bonine, Travel-Ease

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com on Jan 22, 2021. Written by Cerner Multum.

What is Bonine?

Bonine is used to treat or prevent nausea, vomiting, and dizziness caused by motion sickness.

Bonine is also used to treat symptoms of vertigo (dizziness or spinning sensation) caused by disease that affects your inner ear.

Bonine may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Warnings

Follow all directions on your medicine label and package. Tell each of your healthcare providers about all your medical conditions, allergies, and all medicines you use.

Before taking this medicine

You should not use Bonine if you are allergic to it.

Bonine should not be given to a child younger than 12 years old.

Do not give Bonine to a child without medical advice.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breast-feeding.

How should I take Bonine?

Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Use the medicine exactly as directed.

You must chew the chewable tablet before you swallow it.

To prevent motion sickness, take Bonine about 1 hour before you travel or anticipate having motion sickness. You may take this medicine once every 24 hours while you are traveling, to further prevent motion sickness.

To treat vertigo, you may need to take Bonine several times daily. Follow your doctor’s instructions.

This medicine can affect the results of allergy skin tests. Tell any doctor who treats you that you are using Bonine.

Store at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Since Bonine is sometimes taken only when needed, you may not be on a dosing schedule. Skip any missed dose if it’s almost time for your next dose. Do not use two doses at one time.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

What should I avoid while taking Bonine?

Avoid driving or hazardous activity until you know how Bonine will affect you. Your reactions could be impaired.

Drinking alcohol can increase certain side effects of meclizine.

Bonine side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Common side effects may include:

• drowsiness;

• dry mouth;

• headache;

• vomiting; or

• feeling tired.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What other drugs will affect Bonine?

Using Bonine with other drugs that make you drowsy can worsen this effect. Ask your doctor before using opioid medication, a sleeping pill, a muscle relaxer, or medicine for anxiety or seizures.

Other drugs may affect Bonine, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any medicine you start or stop using.

Does Bonine interact with my other drugs?

Enter other medications to view a detailed report.

Further information

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Medical Disclaimer

Copyright 1996-2021 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version: 7.01.

Antivert vs. Bonine Treatment for Vertigo, Motion Sickness: Differences and Side Effects

All drug information provided on RxList.com is sourced directly from drug monographs published by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Any drug information published on RxList.com regarding general drug information, drug side effects, drug usage, dosage, and more are sourced from the original drug documentation found in its FDA drug monograph.

Drug information found in the drug comparisons published on RxList.com is primarily sourced from the FDA drug information. The drug comparison information found in this article does not contain any data from clinical trials with human participants or animals performed by any of the drug manufacturers comparing the drugs.

The drug comparisons information provided does not cover every potential use, warning, drug interaction, side effect, or adverse or allergic reaction. RxList.com assumes no responsibility for any healthcare administered to a person based on the information found on this site.

As drug information can and will change at any time, RxList.com makes every effort to update its drug information. Due to the time-sensitive nature of drug information, RxList.com makes no guarantees that the information provided is the most current.

Any missing drug warnings or information does not in any way guarantee the safety, effectiveness, or the lack of adverse effects of any drug. The drug information provided is intended for reference only and should not be used as a substitute for medical advice.

If you have specific questions regarding a drug’s safety, side effects, usage, warnings, etc., you should contact your doctor or pharmacist, or refer to the individual drug monograph details found on the FDA.gov or RxList.com websites for more information.

You may also report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA by visiting the FDA MedWatch website or calling 1-800-FDA-1088.

References

SOURCES:

Dailymed. Antivert Product Information.

https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=4a5d81fc-ad25-4c3f-a91c-93fe334c02e5

Dailymed. Bonine Product Information.

https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=0b4b55cd-063e-4d0e-911c-8e03886e15d3&audience=consumer

90,000 Betahistine for dizziness symptoms | Cochrane

Review question

Does betahistine help patients with dizziness developing for various reasons?

Relevance

Dizziness is a symptom in which people experience a false sensation of movement. This type of vertigo is thought to be related to disturbances in the inner ear, the organ responsible for balance or the structures that connect it to the brain.Many people suffer from the symptom of vertigo and it can cause serious problems with normal / daily activities. Betahistine is a drug that possibly works by improving blood flow in the inner ear. This review examined whether betahistine is more effective than placebo (dummy drug) in treating the symptoms of dizziness caused by various causes in patients of all ages.

Research characteristics

We included 17 studies with a total of 1025 participants.Sixteen studies involving 953 people compared betahistine with a placebo. The risk of bias in these studies ranged from high to unclear. All studies with data amenable to analysis lasted three months or less. One study with a high risk of bias comparing betahistine versus placebo enrolled 72 people with benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV). All patients were also treated with particle repositioning maneuvers. Overall, we rated the quality of the evidence to be low.

The studies varied significantly in terms of the types of participants, their diagnoses, the dose of betahistine prescribed and the duration of drug use, the study methods, and how any relief of dizziness symptoms was measured.

Highlights

When summarizing all studies, the proportion of patients who reported relief of symptoms of dizziness was significantly higher in patients taking betahistine than in patients taking placebo.However, there is significant inconsistency in the research results, so this result should be treated with caution.

The proportion of patients reporting side effects of treatment was similar in both groups: 16% in patients taking betahistine and 15% in patients taking placebo. Overall, 16% of patients in both groups dropped out of the study.

Not enough information was provided on the effect of betahistine on objective indicators of the functioning of the organ responsible for balance in the inner ear.No information was provided on the effect of betahistine on overall quality of life and incidence.

Quality of evidence

After evaluating the included studies, we rated the quality of the evidence as low. This means that our estimate of the effectiveness of betahistine may be inaccurate. This evidence is current to September 2015.

Conclusions

Low quality evidence suggests that betahistine may help relieve dizziness symptoms in patients suffering from various causes of dizziness.Betahistine is generally well tolerated. Further research on dizziness symptom management should use a more rigorous methodology and include outcomes (results) that are important to patients and their families.

Head spinning: medications used in treatment

Dizziness is a general term that generally denotes weakness, lack of clarity of consciousness, loss of balance or sensation of rotation.

General

Dizziness attacks usually do not pose a great threat to health, but sometimes they can be based on serious disorders (stroke, brain tumor, anemia).Mild dizziness, occurring in the form of episodes of confusion, confusion, can occur when the head is turned in different directions, when the position of the head changes, and also when a person gets out of a chair or bed. Such attacks of dizziness last no more than a minute. More severe vertigo can last for minutes, hours, or even days and is accompanied by symptoms such as loss of balance (with risk of falls), unsteady gait, hearing impairment, nausea, ringing in the ears, and blurred vision.During such an attack, you may feel a sharp weakness, as if you could faint. Such attacks occur with diseases of the inner ear, anxiety, hyperventilation.

Some people feel dizzy when they rise too quickly from a sitting or horizontal position. This type of dizziness, which occurs when changing position, is also called orthostatic hypotension and is caused by a sharp outflow of blood from the brain during a sharp change in position.At the same time, the pressure in the vessels supplying the brain decreases rather quickly. To avoid this condition, you need to get up not abruptly, gradually. Before getting up, sit on the edge of a bed or chair to find a fulcrum. When lifting, the muscles of the legs should be tense, so that more blood will flow to the brain.

There are other causes of dizziness. These include dehydration, high blood pressure, heart disease, and anxiety. Be sure to tell your doctor if you have hypertension or heart disease or feel dizzy.

If you have problems maintaining balance, it becomes difficult to walk straight and straight. There is a feeling that your feet are unsteady on the ground, and that now you will fall. This type of balance disorder is a serious hazard, as there is a high risk of injury if you fall. Impaired balance is often caused by age-related changes in the vestibular apparatus of the inner ear (labyrinth), decreased sensitivity of the balance receptors of the lower extremities and their joints, arthritis, and poor vision.See your doctor if you feel unable to maintain your balance or lose your sense of support. To protect yourself from falling, do not turn off the lights at night, remove the carpets, because you can trip over them, walk with a cane or a special stick.

With systemic dizziness, there is a sensation of rotation, whirling, twisting of the surrounding objects. This can also cause nausea, vomiting and flies before the eyes. This type of dizziness is usually temporary, does not pose a great danger to life, but is caused by a disturbance in the semicircular canals of the inner ear, which are responsible for maintaining balance.Such disorders include labyrinthitis, benign positional vertigo, and Meniere’s disease.

What makes your head spin more often

• Sudden rise from a sitting or lying position
• Hunger, stress, high temperature
• Diseases of the visual apparatus
• Certain medicines, alcohol
• A sharp rise to a great height (in an airplane), because at high altitudes, the oxygen content in the air is less than on the ground.
• Motion sickness.

Dizziness can be a sign of more serious medical conditions:

• Anemia
• Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar)
• Heart disease
• Temporary partial blockade of blood flow in the arteries supplying the brain
• Heavy blow to the head
• Subdural hemorrhage (bleeding in the space between the membranes covering the brain)
• Brain tumor

Symptoms

• Periodic dizziness and feeling of disorientation, weakness when getting out of bed.
• Imbalance, feeling of circling objects around, lasting more than three days.
• Imbalance combined with nausea and vomiting.
• A feeling of disorientation in space associated with fever, hearing loss, ringing in the ears, or pain in the ear.
• A feeling of disorientation in space with a head injury or severe headache.
• Dizziness with feeling of numbness, weakness in the limbs and involuntary urination and defecation.
• Dizziness and flies or double vision, hearing loss, slurred speech
• Loss of balance combined with shock symptoms (rapid pulse, shallow breathing, cold, damp to the touch, pale face).
• Loss of balance and feeling of pressure or chest pain.

What can you do when you feel dizzy

If an attack of dizziness begins when you stand up quickly, do it slowly, slowly.If you are currently feeling dizzy, sit down slowly and assume a reclining position. This makes it less likely that you will fall and injure yourself. If you feel that you may pass out, or your eyes become dark, sit with your head between your knees.

Drink plenty of fluids to stay hydrated and maintain normal blood pressure.

Give up alcohol, caffeine, smoking. Don’t drive.

Relaxation techniques can be used to overcome anxiety. Breathe slowly and deeply.

If you feel the approach of an attack of dizziness, do not close your eyes and focus your vision on any one stationary object. This can help reduce the intensity of the discomfort.

If your family members also feel dizzy, have a headache, or complain of nausea or vomiting, this could be due to carbon dioxide poisoning.Go outside immediately and seek help from a hospital.

Consult a doctor if dizziness persists, recurs frequently, becomes more intense, or is accompanied by visual impairment, hearing impairment, numbness or weakness in the arms and legs.

What a doctor can do

The doctor can determine the immediate cause of the dizziness, prescribe appropriate medications (for example, antiemetic or antihistamines). If your doctor discovers any serious health problems that are causing you dizziness, he or she may refer you to an appropriate specialist.

Attention! Symptom chart is for educational purposes only. Do not self-medicate; for all questions regarding the definition of the disease and methods of treatment, contact your doctor. Our site is not responsible for the consequences caused by the use of information posted on the portal.

Common codeine-containing drugs. Help

Currently, codeine-containing drugs are included in the list of drugs dispensed without a doctor’s prescription, approved by order of the Ministry of Health and Social Development of the Russian Federation dated September 13, 2005 No. 578.

Inexpensive drugs containing codeine are purchased by drug addicts for the manufacture and sale of desomorphine (a hard drug that is highly addictive and highly toxic).

Combined analgesics

Pentalgin-N.

One tablet contains 8 mg of codeine (base).

It is prescribed for moderate pain syndrome: toothache and headache, myalgia, arthralgia, sciatica, neuralgia, etc.; feverish conditions, colds and other diseases accompanied by pain and inflammation.

May cause side effects: from the nervous system and sensory organs – dizziness, drowsiness; on the part of the cardiovascular system and blood – a violation of hematopoiesis; from the organs of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) – nausea, vomiting, constipation, erosive and ulcerative lesions of the gastrointestinal tract, allergic reactions – skin rash, itching, urticaria. With prolonged use – impaired renal function.

In case of overdose, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, tachycardia, arrhythmia, respiratory depression are observed.

Solpadein

One tablet contains 8 mg of codeine (in the form of codeine phosphate hemihydrate).

The medicine is used for pain syndrome (headache, rheumatic pain, toothache, migraine, menalgia (menstrual pain), neuralgia, lumbago (acute back pain), traumatic pain, pain with sprains), with sinusitis (inflammation of the paranasal sinuses), fever (a sharp increase in body temperature), colds and flu.

When taking the medicine, side effects are possible: nausea, vomiting, dizziness, insomnia, nervous agitation, constipation, allergic reactions (skin rashes).

In case of an overdose of the drug, complications are possible in patients with non-cirrhotic liver damage. Symptoms are pallor, nausea, vomiting, anorexia, abdominal pain, signs of circulatory and respiratory depression, tremors (tremors), nervousness, irritability.

Nurofen Plus

One tablet contains 10 mg of codeine (in the form of codeine phosphate hemihydrate).

The drug is used for headaches and toothaches; migraines; painful periods; neuralgia; back pain, muscle and rheumatic pain; feverish condition with flu and colds.

In case of prolonged use of the drug, nausea, vomiting, heartburn, anorexia, discomfort in the epigastrium (part of the abdominal cavity below the sternum), diarrhea, flatulence (excessive accumulation of gas in the intestines), abnormal liver function, abdominal pain (abdominal pain) ), exacerbation of gastric ulcer, headache, dizziness, hearing loss, tinnitus, insomnia, agitation, drowsiness, depression, heart failure, increased blood pressure, tachycardia, edema syndrome, renal dysfunction, hematopoietic disorders, skin rash, itching , urticaria, Quincke’s edema, bronchospasm, respiratory depression, suppression of the cough reflex, increased sweating.With prolonged use (in large doses) – ulceration of the mucous membrane of the gastrointestinal tract, bleeding (gastrointestinal, gingival, uterine, hemorrhoidal), visual impairment.

In case of an overdose of the drug, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, lethargy, drowsiness, depression, headache, tinnitus, metabolic acidosis (the most severe form of acid-base balance in the body), coma, acute renal failure, decreased blood pressure , bradycardia (very low heart rate), tachycardia, atrial fibrillation, respiratory arrest.

“Caffetin”

One tablet contains 10 mg of codeine phosphate sesquihydrate.

Indications for use are headache, toothache, migraine, neuralgia, sciatica, myalgia, dysmenorrhea, colds, flu, postoperative and post-traumatic conditions.

May cause side effects: nausea, pain in the epigastric region, increased excitability (especially in children), impaired blood formation, allergic reactions (skin rash, itching, urticaria, Quincke’s edema).
Causes liver dysfunction with prolonged use in high doses.

“Sedalgin-Neo”

One tablet contains 10 mg of codeine phosphate.

It is prescribed for neuralgia, neuritis, migraine, pain syndrome (headache, toothache, rheumatic pain, phantom, post-burn, traumatic, postoperative), colds accompanied by pain syndrome and hyperthermia; dysmenorrhea (menstrual disorder).

Long-term use of the drug can cause impaired renal and liver function, as well as attacks of bronchial asthma.With a sudden discontinuation of the drug, withdrawal symptoms may appear, in this case, headache prevails. With long-term use of large doses, resistance to some of the effects of the drug may appear.

Antitussive tablets

Codelac

One tablet contains 8 mg codeine.

It is prescribed for coughs of various etiologies. Side effects of the drug on the part of the nervous system and sensory organs – headache, drowsiness; from the digestive tract – nausea, vomiting, constipation.Allergic reactions are possible.

Terpincode

One tablet of the drug contains 8 mg of codeine.

It is used for coughing. May have side effects: nausea, vomiting, constipation, headache, drowsiness.

Codterpin

One tablet contains 15 mg of codeine.

It is used for coughing. May have side effects: constipation, physical dependence with prolonged use.

90,000 P – has an analgesic, antipyretic and anti-inflammatory effect

Askofen-P, an analgesic with an optimal * combination of three active components, can help cope with pain.Askofen-P is a gentle, time-tested product at an affordable price **

The analgesic effect of is achieved through a combination of three main active ingredients: paracetamol, acetylsalicylic acid and caffeine.

Acetylsalicylic acid in Ascofen-P has analgesic, antipyretic and anti-inflammatory effects. It is associated with the suppression of the enzyme cyclooxygenase 1 and 2 types, which regulate the synthesis of prostaglandins – mediators of pain and inflammation.

Paracetamol is an analgesic with analgesic and antipyretic effects, which are achieved by the action of the drug on the centers of pain and thermoregulation in the brain. Paracetamol has a well-studied mechanism of action and safety profile.

Caffeine – is an active ingredient that stimulates the respiratory and vasomotor centers of the brain and helps relieve fatigue and increase mental and physical performance.Caffeine acts as an auxiliary component, which, according to studies, is capable of enhancing the analgesic effect of paracetamol and acetylsalicylic acid.

Thanks to these components, the drug Askofen-P® helps to relieve common pain syndromes caused by neurological and inflammatory diseases, as well as muscle, headache, joint and toothache.

Indications for use

In adults and children (over 15 years old) as an anesthetic for mild to moderate pain syndrome:

• headache
• migraine
• toothache
• muscle and joint pain
• neuralgia
• algodismenorrhea

In adults, it can be used for ARVI and influenza as an antipyretic agent.

Askofen-P® is a time-tested and affordable ** analgesic that has been trusted for over 20 years.

Self-medication as a hobby

Before you take a pill, think about it: do you need it?

– There are no safe medicines. A medicine is not just a product or just a commodity, it can be harmful to health. The version that there are effective and absolutely safe drugs must be forgotten forever. Medicines eliminate some problems, but they will not make you healthy, – says Larisa Gavrilenko, associate professor of the Department of Clinical Pharmacology of the Belarusian State Medical University, chief freelance specialist of the Ministry of Health of Belarus on clinical pharmacology, .

A case from the life: a woman has stomach bleeding. Frightened relatives called an ambulance, suggesting the worst thing – oncology. At the hospital, the patient was examined. It turned out that the bleeding was caused by improper use of conventional aspirin.

What drugs are now in special demand among the population and how can their uncontrolled intake result?

– Among domestic drugs in the list of sales leaders (by the number of packages): citramon, analgin, corvalol, validol, activated carbon, and according to the money raised – lysitar-LF, tri-zidine M, mucosat, enalapril, – said at the event in Minsk Republican scientific and practical seminar “Medicines of the Republic of Belarus” Associate Professor of the Department of Clinical Pharmacology of the Belarusian State Medical University, chief freelance specialist of the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Belarus on clinical pharmacology Larisa Gavrilenko.

– Of the imported drugs, Actovegin, Diabetone, Cardiomagnyl, Teraflu have the highest rating.

So, details about some of these drugs.

Citramon

Tablets for the treatment of headaches and colds. The drug is available in almost every home, sold without a prescription. Efficiency and low cost made it popular. However, you will not find instructions for it. The medicine is sold in blisters or paper contour packages, the annotation is not attached.The drug consists of acetylsalicylic acid (better known as aspirin), paracetamol and caffeine. Most patients tolerate it well, but hypersensitivity to one of the ingredients can lead to the development of allergic reactions (itching, rash, hives). Due to the presence of acetylsalicylic acid, doctors do not recommend giving it to children under 15 years of age. The drug is contraindicated for those suffering from stomach or intestinal ulcers, coronary heart disease, insomnia, glaucoma, as well as people with high blood pressure, impaired renal function, while breastfeeding.

Analgin

Anesthetic and antipyretic agent. The active ingredient is sodium metamizole. The subject of controversy is the side effects of the drug, and above all the risk of developing agranulocytosis against the background of its administration, a condition in which the content of neutrophilic granulocytes in the blood significantly decreases. Because of which, a person can very quickly develop severe weakness and death.

Metamizole is banned (or its use is limited) in Australia, Great Britain, Denmark, Israel, Iran, Italy, Norway, United Arab Emirates, USA, Saudi Arabia, Sweden.In a number of countries, metamizole and preparations with its content are completely withdrawn from circulation, in others they are prohibited for use by children and adolescents, and thirdly, they are allowed only in certain situations, for example, for short-term use when other means are ineffective.

Metamizole is sold over the counter in Eastern Europe and Latin America and is considered a safe analgesic.

Clinical studies of the efficacy and safety of metamizole, including in comparison with other non-narcotic analgesics, are ongoing.

Another common mistake people make when taking pain relievers is trying to improve the effectiveness of one drug by taking another. Under no circumstances should you take several different types of pain relievers at the same time!

Corvalol

Traditional medicine. For him, however, as well as for valocordin, even healthy people grab hold of when, in a state of stress, they complain of a rapid heartbeat and heaviness in the chest area.The drugs soothe the nervous system, are the same in composition and properties. They include valerian extract, hop tincture, hawthorn and rhubarb tincture, sodium barbital, ethyl alcohol and distilled water.

But if your heart palpitations are not related to stress, these medications will not help. The same Corvalol is not as safe as it might seem: one of the constituents of the drug – phenobarbital – is not strong, but still hypnotic. Misuse of the medicine can be fatal.In addition, over time, a person gets used to the drug, becomes addicted.

Validol

The medicine is a 25% solution of menthol (obtained from peppermint leaves) in isovaleric acid methyl ester (from valerian root).

Who can take validol and how can it be dangerous?

Validol will help with heart pains of a neurotic nature, to relieve nervous tension, to relieve headaches after taking nitroglycerin.The drug will relieve nausea and vomiting if you are seasick in transport.

Validol can be harmful if used incorrectly. In no case should you remove the attacks of angina pectoris with validol. The medicine cannot relieve the spasm of the vessels that feed the heart muscle. Time will be lost, and myocardial infarction may develop. Therefore, with angina pectoris, attacks should be removed only with the drug prescribed by the doctor (most often it is nitroglycerin), and validol can only be used in combination with it as a sedative.

There are almost no contraindications for the drug. It should not be used for hypotension. Patients with diabetes should take validol not in tablets, since it contains sugar, but in capsules or drops.

Activated carbon

Used mainly as a sorbent for poisoning.

Contraindicated in gastric ulcer and duodenal ulcer, as well as if intestinal bleeding is suspected.

It should be borne in mind that activated carbon absorbs all substances indiscriminately – both harmful and useful.If you get carried away with it, it will significantly weaken or nullify the effectiveness of the necessary medications prescribed by the doctor for treatment (antibiotics, vitamins, hormonal agents). The constant intake of this sorbent can lead to hypovitaminosis, disruption of the normal absorption of fats, proteins, vitamins and other nutrients from the gastrointestinal tract, and the development of chronic constipation. So use activated charcoal only as an ambulance and only take it for a few days.

Taking activated charcoal simultaneously with oral contraceptives reduces the effectiveness of the latter.

Cardiomagnyl

Can be purchased without a prescription, but it is in your best interest to consult a doctor.

A means of primary prevention of cardiovascular diseases such as thrombosis and acute heart failure in the presence of risk factors (diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidemia, arterial hypertension, obesity, smoking, old age).It is also used to prevent recurrent myocardial infarction and blood vessel thrombosis, thromboembolism (after coronary artery bypass grafting). The composition contains acetylsalicylic acid, we mentioned it. With the drug, jokes are bad: in case of an overdose, nausea, vomiting, tinnitus, hearing impairment, dizziness, confusion appear. In severe cases, fever, coma, cardiovascular and respiratory failure.

Teraflu

The combined remedy is not for treatment, as many hope, but for eliminating the symptoms of acute respiratory infections, colds, flu.The active ingredient is paracetamol.

… In one speech, Associate Professor Larisa Gavrilenko said about self-medication that it implies a person’s care and responsibility for their health. He should lead a healthy lifestyle and use a minimum of medication. At the same time, the pharmacist, having learned about the symptoms of the visitor’s illness, is responsible for the drug that he advises to purchase. He also needs to know when the patient should be sent to the doctor immediately.

90,000 Rating of the best drugs for dizziness for 2021

Dizziness is one of the main reasons bringing patients to the neurologist’s office.Quite often this happens with the elderly: according to statistics, a large number of elderly patients suffer from such an ailment. The numbers suggest that about 30% of people are over 65 and almost half are 80-year-olds. The reasons may vary. For example, deviations arise from ailments of the cardiovascular system or the psychological state of a person.

Self-medication or going to the doctor?

Dizziness is not a disease, but only a manifestation of a certain disease or pathology in the human body, and the cause must be eliminated.

This rating of the best drugs is for informational purposes only, and it will not be superfluous to remind you that only a doctor can find out the true source of such a symptom, and even more so, an effective treatment can be prescribed.

There are cases when the phenomenon of dizziness occurs with a sharp rise from a lying or sitting position. This type is called orthostatic hypotension. It is caused by a sudden outflow of blood from the brain. This entails a rapid decrease in pressure in the vessels through which the brain receives nutrition.To prevent this state from happening, you need to get up gradually, without making any sudden movements. Before lifting, it is best to sit on the edge of a chair or bed and find a fulcrum. The muscles of the legs need to be tense, this will lead to more blood flowing to the brain.

There are other causes of dizziness. This can happen with dehydration, high blood pressure, heart disease, anxiety, and anxiety. During a visit to the doctor, you need to inform him that there is arterial hypertension, heart disease or problems with the head, for example, its spinning.

Preparations for vertigo caused by damage to the vestibular apparatus

Deep in the temporal bone there is an organ called the vestibular apparatus. It is very small, but its importance leaves no doubt, as it is responsible for the sense of balance. If his work fails, a person becomes the center of the universe, it seems to him that space and all objects around him revolve, but in fact his body revolves.

This type of vertigo is called systemic.The reason lies in the following: the vestibular apparatus is located in the inner ear. The neurons that connect it to the brain are connected to the neurons that transmit the sensations of sound. A state when everything is floating in front of your eyes, and the earth begins to leave under your feet. This is due to inflammation and hearing loss.

Benign postural paroxysmal vertigo can be caused by movement of certain structures. They are called otoliths and are crystals or stones of calcium that, when moved, irritate the receptors, which in turn leads to bouts of nausea or dizziness.This is often felt after a sharp turn of the head or a turn of the body from one side to the other. Such a deviation does not pose a threat to life. You can be cured by performing special exercises.

But there are other diagnoses associated with lesions of the inner ear:

• Meniere’s disease;
• migraine-associated dizziness;
• vestibular neuronitis,
• labyrinth infarction;
• tumors in the inner ear;
• barotrauma;
• toxic nerve damage.

To get rid of such diseases, complex treatment is necessary, and the symptoms and discomfort from dizziness can be reduced by drugs that reduce the activity of receptors. Experts have recognized some drugs as the best.

Dramina

Based on an active ingredient called dimensionhydrinate. It inhibits the increased activity of the vestibular analyzer. There is a decrease in dizziness. The medicine also suppresses the gag reflex and slightly relieves allergic manifestations.Dramina also helps with “seasickness” and motion sickness in transport, tablets are taken as a preventive measure before travel. Like any other medicine, there can be side effects. Patients may experience a feeling of dryness in the mouth, decreased pressure, sleep disturbances, and headaches. Contraindications: pregnancy, children (up to 2 years).

Dramina

Values:

• OTC available….

Disadvantages:

• allergic side effects.

Betaserk

The active ingredient in the preparation is betahistine. Targeting receptors in the inner ear improves blood flow in the arteries, which are responsible for supplying blood to the inner ear and brain. Vascular problems are eliminated. Betaserc reduces the frequency and intensity of dizziness attacks, relieves nausea, relieves tinnitus.Patients with gastric and duodenal ulcers, asthma, pheochromocytoma are not recommended to use this medication. Children and pregnancy are also contraindications. Release form: tablets of different dosage. The most common analogs are tagista, vestibo.

Betaserk

Values:

• high efficiency.

Disadvantages:

• side effect in the form of rash, itching, swelling.
• is only dispensed with a doctor’s prescription.

Vertigo due to poor circulation and better remedies

The phenomenon of dizziness can occur due to circulatory disorders in those areas of the cerebral cortex that are responsible for balance. This occurs when a person suffers from various diseases. Pathological conditions such as atherosclerosis, stenosis, deformation of the vertebral arteries, arterial hypertension require drug treatment, doctors prescribe drugs and the appropriate dosage, which depends on the general condition of the patient.

Vinpocetine

Other names: cavinton, karsavin, telektol.

The product has contraindications. These include arrhythmias in severe form, the acute phase of hemorrhagic stroke. The medicine should not be given to children under 18 years of age, pregnant women and nursing mothers. Side effects: headaches, low blood pressure, dry mouth, stomach discomfort.

Vinpocetine

Values:

• high efficiency.

Disadvantages:

• Available on prescription only.

Cinnarizine

The drug expands the small vessels of the brain, as a result, blood circulation improves, headaches are relieved, tinnitus disappears, and the resistance of cells to hypoxia increases. The dosage and the need for use are prescribed by the doctor. Allergy-prone people can use the medicine as a mild antihistamine. The most common side effects are drowsiness, fatigue, and indigestion.Pregnant and lactating mothers should not use the drug. Analog: stugeron

Cinnarizine

Values:

• improved blood circulation;
• high efficiency.

Disadvantages:

Tanakan

The product is made on the basis of Ginkgo Biloba extract. The risk of side effects is minimal due to the fact that the preparation is based on plant materials.Regular use normalizes vascular tone, improves blood circulation, and increases brain metabolism. Antioxidant properties enhance immunity. The drug is used on the recommendation of a doctor. The duration of treatment is from 1 to 3 months.

The drug should not be used for people with erosive gastritis, stomach and duodenal ulcers during an exacerbation. It is also not recommended for use during pregnancy and lactation. For children under 18 years of age, patients with reduced blood clotting, the drug can also be harmful.Side effects are mainly manifested only in the form of allergies. It is not recommended to use the drug for a long time, as blood clotting may decrease, pain in the head will become more frequent, and tinnitus will appear. From the side of digestion, nausea, vomiting, and sometimes diarrhea are possible. Do not drive or do work that requires concentration after taking the product. A similar drug is memoplant. There are no reported cases of overdose, so it is not clear what the consequences might be.

Tanakan

Values:

• vegetable origin;
• leave without a prescription.

Disadvantages:

• contains ethyl alcohol;
• reduces blood clotting.

Best drugs for stress-induced vertigo

This group of diseases is called psychogenic. Pathologies are susceptible to people with an unbalanced psyche, emotionally unbalanced, taking any negative events in life to heart.Such patients need the help of a neurologist or psychiatrist. After examination, the specialist prescribes antidepressants – prescription drugs. Dizziness in itself can be stressful for a suspicious person. Often, such phenomena appear against the background of panic attacks. The reaction from the autonomic nervous system is deterioration. In women, such deviations can occur during menopause. Dizziness is accompanied by weakness, flies and flickering appear before the eyes.Sometimes this phenomenon leads to loss of consciousness. Doctors advise taking antidepressants in such cases.

Afobazole

The drug reduces irritability, anxiety, emotional imbalance, eliminates mood swings. In addition to dizziness, the pills reduce the heart rate, which rises as a result of stress, and reduces excessive sweating. The effect of the tablets is manifested on the fifth or seventh day after the start of taking.The maximum effect will be achieved at the end of the fourth week. The recommended course of treatment is 2 to 3 months. Side effects: headache, rash, urticaria, swelling and other allergic manifestations. It is not advisable to use for pregnant women and nursing mothers for children under 18 years of age.

Afobazol

Values:

• good antidepressant;
• can be used without a doctor’s prescription.

Disadvantages:

Anvifen

Based on the active ingredient aminophenylbutyric acid.The drug reduces feelings of anxiety and fear, reduces irritability. Nootropic effect is manifested in improving attention, memory, sleep. Regular intake leads to an improvement in the condition within 5-7 days after the start of the intake. The course of treatment and dosage, depending on the patient’s condition, is prescribed by the doctor.

Can be used to prevent motion sickness. For this purpose, take 500 mg one hour before the planned trip. A possible side effect at the beginning of the course of treatment is headache and drowsiness.It is recommended to take the drug with caution for pregnant women and lactating mothers, as safety studies have not been conducted in this category of women. When tested on animals, no harmful effects on the fetus were found. Similar means: Noofen, Phenibut.

Anvifen

Values:

• high nootropic effect.

Disadvantages:

• is used strictly by prescription.

Deprim forte

The antidepressant is based on natural ingredients. St. John’s wort extract in the composition of the drug suppresses anxiety, reduces malaise. Available in capsules that are easy to use. It is recommended to take the medicine 2 times a day from one to two capsules, depending on the patient’s well-being. Consult a doctor before treatment. The greatest effect is observed two weeks after the start of the treatment, the course of treatment lasts from 4 to 6 weeks.The use of this drug in the summer leads to an increase in the sensitivity of the skin to ultraviolet radiation. This is due to the fact that the composition contains St. John’s wort, which contributes to this phenomenon. It is recommended to use sunscreen during treatment. There are contraindications: children’s age (up to 12 years), pregnancy.

Deprim forte

Values:

• 100% natural product.

Disadvantages:

Preparations for dizziness in case of neck muscle spasm

Muscle spasm can lead to disruption of the vessels that provide cerebral circulation.As a result, a stream of pathological impulses arises in the spasmodic area. They are the reason for the discoordination of the work of certain nerve endings. Diagnoses associated with this problem: osteochondrosis; spondylosis. Usually, with such pathologies, weakness appears, a feeling of floating away of surrounding objects, instability of body position. The specialist prescribes drugs that help reduce muscle spasm and relieve pain. After treatment, normal blood supply is restored in the spasmodic areas.

Milgamma Compositum

The preparation contains a vitamin complex (B1, B6 and B12) and an anesthetic component. Muscle and nerve spasms are removed. In addition, the complex restores the antinociceptive (suppressive pain) system of the body and the basic functions of nerve cells. Recommended dosage: 3 tablets per day for the first three weeks of taking the medicine. In the next 2 to 3 months, the dose is reduced to 1 tablet per day. Side effect: allergic rashes, swelling.It is not recommended to take the drug for pregnant women, as there is no definite evidence of the drug’s effect on the fetus. A similar drug is combilipen.

Milgamma compositum

Values:

• high efficiency;
• security.

Disadvantages:

Catadalon

The active ingredient flupirtine in the preparation relaxes muscles, at the same time acts on pain points in the brain, reduces the flow of pathological impulses.The use of the agent does not lead to addiction, thanks to this, the duration of treatment is not limited. Side effect: weakness and drowsiness is observed. During treatment, it is strictly forbidden to consume alcoholic beverages, since the substance enhances the effect of alcohol. Recommended dosage: 100 mg 3 times a day. A doctor’s consultation is required before taking. You can not drink the medicine during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Other contraindications: childhood, alcoholism, severe liver failure.The recommended analogue is Neidrodolone.

Catadalon

Values:

• quickly relieves muscle spasms;
• is no addictive.

Disadvantages:

• Requires a prescription
• after use, do not drive.

Conclusion

Only a doctor can determine the true cause of fainting and dizziness. Based on the diagnosis, he will prescribe the appropriate medication.If a specialist has found any serious abnormalities in the state of health that are the cause of dizziness, he can send for additional examination. It is possible that X-rays, magnetic resonance imaging and other hardware studies will be needed.

The information provided is for informational purposes only. Before using, be sure to consult a doctor. Remember that self-medication can have a sailing health effect.

90,000 “Central
regional hospital named afterKhatsukova A.A. ” Chegem

How to use medicines correctly

Many elderly people are afraid to take medicine, rightly believing: “There are no harmless chemicals.” Uncontrolled medication is actually doing more harm than good. But if you are afraid of harming yourself by taking medications prescribed by a doctor, this is not a reason to refuse the necessary treatment. To make sure that the medications are prescribed correctly, ask your doctor the questions that interest you.

It is necessary to use drugs in old and old age with extreme caution!

All medicines are divided into prescription and non-prescription drugs. To purchase prescription drugs from a pharmacy, you must obtain a prescription – a written message from a doctor to a pharmacist. Unfortunately, today in many pharmacies you can buy almost any medicine without a prescription, but you need to remember that only a doctor should make a decision on the appointment of any medicine.

Do we need medicines?

Our body is very intelligent. He is able to independently fight many ailments, but when the body’s defenses reach a limit, help is needed – and first of all, medications can provide this help. That is why, in case of mild ailment, it is often possible to do without pills, but in case of serious illnesses, refusal of drugs can lead to serious complications and even death.

What are the rules to follow when taking any medication?

Medication treatment must be treated responsibly.Tablets, capsules, powders, solutions require careful implementation of medical instructions and monitoring of their condition. Remember: almost any drug in excessive doses can cause poisoning! So, in order for the treatment to be effective and safe, simple rules must be followed.

1. For your own safety, take medication only as directed by your doctor.

Over the past 20 years, a huge number of new drugs have appeared on pharmacy shelves.Many of them are truly a “new word” in the treatment of diseases that were previously difficult to treat. However, for their competent use, a deep knowledge of their properties and features of use is required.

Only a qualified doctor can correctly decide on the prescription and choice of a medicine. Do not take any medication without your doctor’s advice!

2. Check with your doctor before taking over-the-counter medicines (for the common cold, headache, laxatives, etc.).etc.). Misusing over-the-counter products can be very dangerous!

3. Take an interest in the composition and principles of action of the prescribed drugs.

4. Be sure to ask your doctor what undesirable (side) effects may appear as a result of taking the medication, what symptoms are they characterized and when they appear. You should not independently draw conclusions about whether this medicine is right for you or not, only on the basis of familiarity with the information contained in the package insert: all possible, even the rarest, side effects are listed in the package insert.

5. Always ask your doctor for detailed information about the medication you are taking. Write down this information for yourself. You need to know exactly and write down for yourself the following information.

The exact name of the drug.

Release form – tablets, capsules, etc.

Dose of the medicine that you must take at one time.

How many times a day you need to take the medicine.

At what time and how to take the medicine (in the morning, in the evening, at night, before or after a meal, after what time, etc.)etc.).

It is possible or impossible to replace the prescribed drug in the absence of it in the pharmacy with another drug (analogue), and with which one.

What undesirable (side) effects may appear while taking the medicine and what to do if you have these effects.

The doctor can transmit information about the prescribed medicinal product in the form of a leaflet – an attachment to the “Health and Longevity Code”. Designed by clinical pharmacologists and physicians, the inserts provide answers to the questions people most care about when using medicines.Before taking the medicine, also read the instructions for its use, which the manufacturer always puts in the package.

6. Find out from your doctor what symptoms you need to stop taking the medication immediately and seek medical help.

For example, the appearance of a rash, shortness of breath, loss of consciousness may be signs of an allergy or individual intolerance to the drug. A sudden slowdown in your heart rate and dizziness are sometimes side effects of some medicines used to lower blood pressure; nosebleeds and “bruises” on the skin indicate an overdose of drugs that reduce blood clotting.Some medications should not be stopped abruptly; a gradual dose reduction is necessary. Ask your doctor about this.

7. Find out what diagnostic tests you need to regularly undergo to monitor the safety of the drug.

For example, when treating arterial hypertension, you need to systematically measure blood pressure and pulse rate, write these data in a diary; when taking drugs that lower cholesterol in the blood, you need to periodically conduct a biochemical blood test.

8. If you have been prescribed more than five medicines at the same time – be careful! Find out from your doctor what is the need for such treatment, which medications are the most important and which are secondary, if you can not refuse any of them.

Overdosing is called lolipragmasy; it increases the risk of side effects.

9. People over 60 years of age may need to take a lower dose of the medicine. This is due to the fact that at this age the processes of chemical transformation and excretion of chemicals are slowed down in the body.

10. Take medicine with boiled water at room temperature.

11. Strictly follow the rules for storing medicines. Do not transfer tablets from their original packaging. Do not use or store expired medicines. Keep medicines out of the reach of children.

How to deal with unwanted (side) effects of drugs?

Almost all drugs simultaneously with the therapeutic effect cause undesirable effects, which are usually called side effects.Will the medicine bring more benefit or harm – the doctor always decides.

For example, many people tolerate high blood pressure easily, sometimes without even noticing it. At the same time, all drugs that lower blood pressure have side effects. It can be weakness, dizziness, nasal congestion; some medications cause dry cough, swelling of the ankles, stool changes, etc. However, if patients with high blood pressure do not take medications that keep blood pressure at a normal level (less than 140/90 mm Hg).Art.), the condition worsens. Atherosclerosis develops faster, vision is impaired, kidneys suffer, the risk of angina pectoris, myocardial infarction, and stroke increases. This is why doctors will prescribe medications to keep blood pressure within normal limits. The likelihood and danger of side effects is much less than the danger of hypertension itself!

Another example. Nitroglycerin – the best remedy for angina attacks – can cause severe headaches. This pain in itself is not dangerous, but it causes severe discomfort (by the way, over time, the blood vessels of the brain get used to nitroglycerin, and the headache disappears).It is for this reason that many patients refuse to take this medicine. They should be reminded that the Englishman William Murrell, who introduced nitroglycerin into medical practice, himself died of myocardial infarction precisely because he did not have nitroglycerin with him during an angina attack.

Remember! There are no drugs without undesirable (side) effects! The doctor, when prescribing any medicine for you, always weighs the risk to which you are exposed due to your illness and the risk of side effects of the medicine.

Which is better – synthetic or herbal medicines?

Currently, there is a widespread opinion about the particular danger of synthetic drugs (products of chemical synthesis – “chemistry”, as patients call them). Therefore, many patients prefer to use various medicinal plants in the form of infusions, tinctures, decoctions, extracts, etc. However, it should be recalled that many modern medicines have their roots in substances isolated from plants! So, at one time, digoxin, atropine, morphine, papaverine and many other compounds were isolated from plants, which have been comprehensively studied and are successfully used in medicine.In addition, the benefits and safety of most modern drugs sold in pharmacies have been proven by the most serious research – first, just in a chemical laboratory, and then on animals and humans. (Trials involving humans are conducted only with the permission of the ethics committee and with voluntary consent to participate in these trials!)

It should also be warned against excessive enthusiasm for medicinal herbs – each medicinal plant contains several active principles and it is very difficult to scientifically assess the combination of their actions (especially if the agent is prepared from several plants).And in no case should a medicine prescribed by a doctor be replaced with a drug from a medicinal plant “with a similar effect”!

Don’t exaggerate the benefits of herbal medicines and the disadvantages of synthetic medicines.

Currently, there is an aggressive advertising of biologically active additives (BAA). Remember: dietary supplements are not drugs, there is no evidence of their effectiveness in treating many diseases and they should be used only after consulting your doctor.