What medication helps with balance?
Medications for Vertigo
The following list of medications are in some way related to or used in the treatment of this condition.
Generic name: meclizine systemic
Brand names: Antivert, Bonine, Dramamine II, Dramamine Less Drowsy, Travel-Ease …show all
Generic name: meclizine systemic
Generic name: meclizine systemic
Generic name: meclizine systemic
Generic name: promethazine systemic
Brand names: Phenergan, Promethegan, Antinaus 50, Phenadoz …show all
Generic name: promethazine systemic
Generic name: meclizine systemic
Generic name: promethazine systemic
Generic name: promethazine systemic
Generic name: promethazine systemic
Generic name: meclizine systemic
Frequently asked questions
- How long does amlodipine stay in your system?
- What is betahistine used for?
Learn more about Vertigo
Care guides
Symptoms and treatments
Legend
Rating | For ratings, users were asked how effective they found the medicine while considering positive/adverse effects and ease of use (1 = not effective, 10 = most effective). |
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Activity | Activity is based on recent site visitor activity relative to other medications in the list. |
Rx | Prescription only. |
OTC | Over-the-counter. |
Rx/OTC | Prescription or Over-the-counter. |
Off-label | This medication may not be approved by the FDA for the treatment of this condition. |
EUA | An Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) allows the FDA to authorize unapproved medical products or unapproved uses of approved medical products to be used in a declared public health emergency when there are no adequate, approved, and available alternatives. |
Expanded Access | Expanded Access is a potential pathway for a patient with a serious or immediately life-threatening disease or condition to gain access to an investigational medical product (drug, biologic, or medical device) for treatment outside of clinical trials when no comparable or satisfactory alternative therapy options are available. |
Pregnancy Category | |
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A | Adequate and well-controlled studies have failed to demonstrate a risk to the fetus in the first trimester of pregnancy (and there is no evidence of risk in later trimesters). |
B | Animal reproduction studies have failed to demonstrate a risk to the fetus and there are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women. |
C | Animal reproduction studies have shown an adverse effect on the fetus and there are no adequate and well-controlled studies in humans, but potential benefits may warrant use in pregnant women despite potential risks. |
D | There is positive evidence of human fetal risk based on adverse reaction data from investigational or marketing experience or studies in humans, but potential benefits may warrant use in pregnant women despite potential risks. |
X | Studies in animals or humans have demonstrated fetal abnormalities and/or there is positive evidence of human fetal risk based on adverse reaction data from investigational or marketing experience, and the risks involved in use in pregnant women clearly outweigh potential benefits. |
N | FDA has not classified the drug. |
Controlled Substances Act (CSA) Schedule | |
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M | The drug has multiple schedules. The schedule may depend on the exact dosage form or strength of the medication. |
U | CSA Schedule is unknown. |
N | Is not subject to the Controlled Substances Act. |
1 | Has a high potential for abuse. Has no currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. There is a lack of accepted safety for use under medical supervision. |
2 | Has a high potential for abuse. Has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States or a currently accepted medical use with severe restrictions. Abuse may lead to severe psychological or physical dependence. |
3 | Has a potential for abuse less than those in schedules 1 and 2. Has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. Abuse may lead to moderate or low physical dependence or high psychological dependence. |
4 | Has a low potential for abuse relative to those in schedule 3. It has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. Abuse may lead to limited physical dependence or psychological dependence relative to those in schedule 3. |
5 | Has a low potential for abuse relative to those in schedule 4. Has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. Abuse may lead to limited physical dependence or psychological dependence relative to those in schedule 4. |
Alcohol | |
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X | Interacts with Alcohol. |
Further information
Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.
Balance Disorders Treatment Options
Balance disorders can have a significant impact on well being and the ability to pursue everyday activities, but treatment from an ENT specialist can help. A range of treatments are available at the Harley Street ENT Clinic that can help with inner ear problems and other causes of dizziness, vertigo and balance problems. The doctor will explain the treatment options in detail and ensure that you understand what to expect from your care at the ENT clinic in London.
Intratympanic Infusions
An intratympanic steroid injection can be used to treat certain kinds of balance disorders. Inner ear problems such as Menière’s disease and sudden vestibular failure are the most common reasons for using this treatment for vertigo and dizziness. The ear will be numbed with a local anaesthetic before the injection is given directly into the middle ear through a long, fine needle. Patients may experience a sensation of fullness in the ear, along with temporary hearing loss. The operating table may need to be tilted head-downwards for a while after the injection is given in order to prevent the medication from leaking out.
Medication
Medication can sometimes be an effective treatment for vertigo and balance disorders. Drugs can be used to suppress the activity of the balance organs, which can help to relieve symptoms such as dizziness and vertigo caused by inner ear problems. The medication will usually be prescribed for a limited period rather than as a long term treatment for vertigo. Taking the medication for too long can make it more difficult for the sense of balance to recover. Other types of medicine may also be prescribed at the ENT clinic in London in order to control specific symptoms such as nausea or to tackle ear infections that are causing balance problems. It is essential for patients to understand how the medication should be taken and to complete the full course of treatment in order to achieve the best results. The ENT doctor will explain the medication, its effects and any potential side effects in detail before giving a prescription. Follow up appointments may be recommended to ensure that the medication is working as expected.
Referral for Vestibular Therapy
Vestibular therapy is a form of physical therapy that can help with balance disorders. The therapist will perform a thorough assessment in order to design a personalised programme of exercises to improve balance and relieve symptoms such as dizziness and vertigo. Following the therapist’s advice should help to improve the symptoms and can make it easier to manage everyday activities. However, the treatment isn’t suitable for all vertigo and dizziness causes. An ENT specialist can provide a referral for vestibular therapy in London if it would be an effective treatment for vertigo, dizziness or balance problems. In some cases vestibular therapy may be the only treatment that is required, but it can also be combined with other types of care.
Grommet Insertion
Grommets are small tubes that can be inserted into the ear drum. The grommet forms an opening through which air can pass into the ear if the Eustachian tube is not functioning normally. The Eustachian tube is a small passage that links the middle ear with the nose. When it is working properly, it ensures that the correct pressure is maintained in the ear so that the vestibular system can function properly. If the Eustachian tubes are blocked it can cause balance problems. A grommet can provide an alternative route for air to move in and out of the middle ear. Grommet insertion is a surgical procedure that can be performed by an ENT doctor in London. The grommet will be placed into an incision made in the eardrum. The grommet will usually be extruded naturally from the ear drum in six to 12 months.
Epley
The Epley manoeuvre is a technique that can be used to treat certain kinds of vertigo. It is a simple sequence of movements that can relocate particles in the ear so that they are no longer causing problems. The technique is used when there is debris in the sensitive semicircular canal in the ear that is stimulating the vestibular system. The movements will encourage these particles to move into the less sensitive utricle, where they will no longer be able to trigger vertigo. The patient will be moved into a series of different positions that will draw the particles in the right direction by using the power of gravity. The Epley manoeuvre takes about 15 minutes to complete and it can be a very successful treatment for vertigo.
Michigan Balance: Vestibular Testing and Rehabilitation
At Michigan Balance, we provide comprehensive evaluation and management for patients with dizziness and balance disorders. We have a team of audiologists and physical therapists (PTs) with advanced training in vestibular testing and rehabilitation. Our audiologists and PTs work side-by-side to evaluate and provide up-to-date, evidence-based testing and treatment. We pride ourselves on excellent patient education so you can learn how to better manage your symptoms.
We work closely with our board-certified ENT physicians who have specialized training in evaluating patients with dizziness. Our team has more experience than anywhere in the state of Michigan and is a national leader in the diagnosis and treatment of dizziness and balance disorders.
What is dizziness?
Dizziness is one of the most common symptoms that leads people to seek medical attention. Dizziness can feel like different things to different people. Some people may experience vertigo (the sensation that you or your environment is spinning, tilting, or moving), lightheadedness, or imbalance. The degree to which dizziness impacts a person’s life can vary from one person to the next. Some patients find their dizziness to be a minor nuisance, while others are severely disabled by their symptoms and are unable to work, drive, or socialize outside of the home.
What are common causes of dizziness?
There are many potential causes for dizziness, including disorders that affect the ear, brain, eyes, or heart. Causes of dizziness may include the following:
- Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV)
- Meniere’s Disease
- Vestibular Migraine
- Vestibular Neuritis
- Vestibular Labyrinthitis
- Acoustic Neuroma
- Persistent Postural-Perceptual Dizziness (PPPD)
- Superior Semicircular Canal Dehiscence Syndrome
- Concussion/Traumatic Brain Injury
- Medication side-effects
How do we normally maintain our balance?
Three different body systems help you keep your balance and stay upright:
- Vision: your eyes
- Vestibular: your inner ear
- Proprioception: the sensory feedback from your skin, your joints, and the muscles in your feet and legs
Why is the inner ear balance system so important?
The inner ear balance system, also called the vestibular system, helps us:
- Keep our balance
- Know if we are moving or if objects around us are moving
- Keep our eyes steady on an object while our head is moving
What can I expect from Balance Function Testing?
Our clinic has state-of-the art equipment that can provide important data to help reach the correct diagnosis and treatment. A balance function test is performed by an Audiologist and may last up to 2 hours. It includes different tests that will measure how well you are able to use the part of your inner ear that controls balance, your vision, and your legs and feet to maintain your balance. There are several parts of the test. Your audiologist and physician will determine which parts of the test are needed:
- Videonystagmography (VNG): During this test, you will wear goggles with special cameras inside them. The cameras record your eye movements during different tasks while you are in the dark. You will use your eyes to follow a light. You will move into different positions while sitting and lying on an exam table. We record your eyes after we put warm and cool water into each ear. This is not painful, but it might make you feel like you are moving. The feeling of motion usually comes and goes within a few minutes.
- Rotational chair testing: You will wear goggles while we record your eye movements. You sit in a dark room in a special chair. The chair turns from side to side during the test. We will talk with you during the test to let you know what to expect.
- Postural control testing: You will stand on a platform that measures your balance. You will wear a harness to protect you from falling during this test. Motion sensors measure the sway of your body under different conditions while balancing with your eyes open and closed.
- Video Head Impulse Test (vHIT): You will be staring at a target while a clinician moves your head quickly in a small range of motion several times.
- Audiogram: You may also be scheduled for a hearing test. Because the same nerve controls both hearing and balance, your hearing is usually tested as part of a balance evaluation
What kinds of treatment are available for dizziness?
Treatment varies based on the cause of dizziness and can include vestibular rehabilitation therapy, dietary and behavioral modifications, medications (taken orally or injected directly into the ear), and— in select cases—surgery.
What is Vestibular Rehabilitation?
Vestibular Rehabilitation is a special kind of physical therapy that focuses on exercises to decrease dizziness and improve balance. Vestibular Physical Therapists have unique training in this area.
How does Vestibular Rehabilitation help to decrease my symptoms?
It is natural to avoid movement when you are dizzy. However, it is very important to move so your body can heal, and you can return to all of your usual daily activities. By doing specific exercises and increasing movement and activity, your brain will make up for or compensate for an inner ear problem. These exercises can also help with the communication between your eyes, inner ear, and sensory information from your feet.
What are the goals of Vestibular Rehabilitation?
- Decrease dizziness or vertigo
- Decrease visual symptoms like blurred or bouncing vision
- Improve balance and walking stability
- Improve fitness and endurance
- Learn how to manage your symptoms
- Prevent falls
- Improve your quality of life
- Help you safely return to your usual daily activities
What kinds of exercises will I be doing?
Your physical therapist will provide you with a home exercise program specific to your needs. Some of the different kinds of exercises include:
- Coordinated eye and head movements aimed at decreasing dizziness
- Strengthening exercises
- Balance exercises
- Walking or aerobic exercise program
How often do I need to perform these exercises?
Research shows that doing the exercises 3 times each day results in the best outcome. The goal of each exercise is to stimulate your brain by making you feel a little dizzy, then giving your brain and body a chance to recover. These exercises train your brain to tolerate activities. Your therapist with give you written exercise handouts and tell you how often the exercises should be done.
How long do I need to do these exercises to notice improvements?
Some exercises may make your symptoms seem worse at first. This is normal and it is important to be patient and continue the exercises. Many patients do have significant improvement in their symptoms with the help of Vestibular PT. Often patients are able to return to their normal day-to-day activities. Your home exercise program is a key part of your recovery. It is very important that you give your exercise program your best effort.
What else do I need to know about vestibular disorders?
- Your symptoms may be worse when you are tired or under stress. Getting good rest and managing stress and anxiety is important.
- Staying physically active is also important. Walking daily can be very helpful.
- Avoid taking anti-dizziness medications like meclizine (Antivert). These medications may help you control your symptoms for the first few days of a severe dizziness attack. However, taking these medications for more than a few days can lengthen your recovery because they delay the process of central compensation. This means your brain won’t compensate as quickly and your symptoms will last longer.
How do psychological conditions affect my symptoms?
Vestibular problems affect each person differently. The way you think, feel, and react can have either a positive or negative impact on your physical health and your ability to recover. Anxiety and depression may contribute to your dizziness and may result in slower progress with your vestibular rehabilitation program. Managing anxiety and depression are important to your recovery.
How do I make an appointment?
Our specialized, dedicated team is happy to provide you with comprehensive evaluation and individualized treatment.
Schedule an appointment by calling us at 734-936-8051, then press option 2.