From the Guidelines
For a 48-year-old female weighing 70kg experiencing vertigo, vestibular suppressants such as meclizine (25-50mg orally, every 4-6 hours as needed) or dimenhydrinate (50-100mg orally, every 4-6 hours as needed) may be used for short-term management of autonomic symptoms, such as nausea or vomiting, in a severely symptomatic patient 1.
Medication Options
- Meclizine: 25-50mg orally, every 4-6 hours as needed
- Dimenhydrinate: 50-100mg orally, every 4-6 hours as needed
- Betahistine: 8-16mg orally, three times daily, may be considered for its vestibular stabilizing properties, especially in patients with hypertension and brief attacks 1
Important Considerations
- Treatment duration is typically limited to 1-3 days for acute episodes, but may be extended up to 2-3 weeks for more persistent symptoms, with gradual tapering of doses to minimize rebound effects 1
- Vestibular suppressant medications are not recommended for routine treatment of BPPV, due to potential harm, such as drowsiness, cognitive deficits, and increased risk of falls 1
- Canalith repositioning procedures are recommended as initial therapy for patients with posterior canal BPPV 1
From the FDA Drug Label
Meclizine hydrochloride tablets are indicated for the treatment of vertigo associated with diseases affecting the vestibular system in adults (1). The medication used to treat vertigo is meclizine, which is administered orally (PO) 2.
- The patient's weight and age do not affect the choice of medication in this case.
- Meclizine is specifically indicated for the treatment of vertigo in adults.
From the Research
Medications for Vertigo
- The medication used to treat vertigo in a 48-year-old female is not explicitly stated in most of the studies provided 3, 4, 5, 6.
- However, one study mentions the use of IV methylprednisolone and oral tacrolimus to improve symptoms and ocular motor signs in a patient with vertigo and other symptoms 3.
- Another study mentions the use of antiplatelet drugs, steroid anti-inflammatory drugs, and neurotrophic nerve therapy to promote blood circulation and remove blood stasis in a patient with vertigo and sudden hearing loss 7.
- Additionally, one study mentions the use of warfarin for anticoagulation in a patient with mesenteric vein thrombosis, but this is not directly related to the treatment of vertigo 5.
Treatment Approaches
- Physical therapy assessments and interventions, such as balance training and visual, vestibular, and somatosensory re-education, may be used to treat patients with unilateral vestibular hypofunction-related symptoms 4.
- It is essential to note that the treatment approach may vary depending on the underlying cause of vertigo, and a thorough evaluation is necessary to determine the most effective treatment plan 3, 4, 7.