Many people take medications for dizziness and vertigo. They can be very helpful in some situations, but may not be necessary long term for patients who can resolve the cause of their dizziness.
The most important thing for people who feel dizzy is to seek appropriate medical care for assessment and treatment in order to reduce their discomfort, to reduce their risk of falling down, and to discover why they feel dizzy.
Many medications for dizziness today are designed to simply reduce the symptoms of dizziness or vertigo, but not to resolve the underlying cause of the dizziness.
That approach works short term to reduce discomfort and it may be needed long term if the prognosis for recovery is poor. A root cause analysis of the reasons for the dizziness or vertigo is recommended so long term use of medications for dizziness and vertigo can be avoided if possible.
The reason that long term use of medications for dizziness or vertigo is not ideal is because all medications have side effects, and many of them can increase the risk of falling.
Types of Medications for Dizziness and Vertigo
The following discussion focuses on two common types of prescription medications for dizziness and vertigo.
First generation antihistamine: Meclizine
For example, a common medication given for vertigo is meclizine.
This medication has side effects of dizziness, drowsiness, and blurry vision which can cause falls. Also, long term use of meclizine can cause irreversible cognitive impairment, or dementia, due to its effect on brain chemicals.
The harmful potential effects of meclizine are so widely shown in research, that meclizine is included on the BEERS criteria list of medications that should be avoided in older adults regardless of their condition.
Yet it is still prescribed for many older adults.
For more considerations on meclizine, visit my other blog.
Benzodiazepines
Another example of a common group of medications for dizziness and vertigo prescribed are benzodiazepines, with brand names such as Ativan, Xanax or Valium.
Both short-acting and long-acting benzodiazepines are on the BEERS criteria list of medications that should be prescribed with caution to older adults due to the increased risk of falls and hip fractures while on benzodiazepines.
Research has shown that benzodiazepines increase the risk of hip fracture in older adults by 50%.
Yet they are still prescribed for many older adults.
Medications for dizziness and vertigo can reduce anxiety
For my physical therapy patients with overwhelming and debilitating anxiety, I have found that anti-anxiety medications, such as benzodiazepines, can be helpful for a patient to take before a vertigo assessment or treatment session.
Without taking a benzodiazepine to calm their level of anxiety, some of my patients with severe vertigo would not be able to participate in Vestibular Rehabilitation.
Discuss with your doctor
It is recommended to always take your medications as prescribed by your doctor and never stop taking a prescription drug without your doctor’s supervision.
Certain medications for dizziness and vertigo, like benzodiazepines, may need to be tapered down over time with your doctor’s supervision before you can stop taking them.
Your doctor may be able to switch an existing prescription to “as needed” or PRN, if he or she decides that is best for you.
You can also consult with a Vertigo or Dizziness expert to determine the cause of your symptoms and if your symptoms can be resolved, thereby possibly eliminating the need for long term use of medications.
Disclaimer
This blog is provided for informational and educational purposes only. The content and any comments by Dr. Kim Bell, DPT are not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. The details of any case mentioned in this post represent a typical patient that Dr. Bell might see and do not describe the circumstances of a specific individual.
I have extreme vertigo. However doctors are very wary of prescribing any benzos. The main answer given is to take meclizine or benadryl. I have never fallen and broken any major bones. I have broken a finger and toe, but the toe was due to stubbing and my finger was broken due to my child accidentally closing a car door on it when he was 4. If benzos is the answer for my debilitating vertigo, I wish doctors would prescribe them prn for the extreme times when the vomiting goes on forever.
I understand you.
I’ve been suffering from ALS that caused Scoliosis to 67 degrees in 2008 and had surgery.
I’ve been struggling with Failed Spinal Fusion Syndrome ever since.
I’m waiting on disability now.
I don’t understand why I can’t get grant for it. I can barely walk.
I also have debilitating anxiety insomnia PTSD and that excels the Chronic Pain off the charts!
Tendinitis is starting to wreck every joint and limb in my body.
I was diagnosed as having Meniere’s Disease last February (2025). We used Meclizine. It seemed to make matters worse before they got better. So I tried fighting of the vertigo without medication.,It has worked so far, for the last 6 weeks:
At first sign of dizziness
1. I visually focus very hard on a distant object, like a patch of light through trees
while I take a deep breath and hold it for three seconds. Repeat two or three times.
2. Follow my index finger as it moves slowly before my eyes back and forth for a few minutes.
3. Chew peeled ginger root a few times a day.
Tinnitus:
Pure ground ginger tea every day may help reduce ringing in the ear associated with Meniere’s. Not sure about this yet.
I have been suffering from Vertigo for 25+ years. As I age, 76 now, it has gotten progressively worse. I have been to allergists, primary care doctors, 4 ENT’s snd 2 Neurologists over the years to no avail. I have taken Meclizine and have gone through a battery of tests and (PT) exercises for benign paroxysmal positioning vertigo. I know there are new procedures for this debilitating disease but I don’t know where to turn. I want to find the cause of course, but in the meantime I need something so that I can function dad to day. Someone please nelo.
I have continuing imbalance, even after I have had long and repeated vestibular rehab therapy many times.
VPT has much improved my life.
But vestibular neuritis, repeated BPPV and lingering symptoms from an undiagnosed have left me with imbalance and anxiety that gets triggered as much as imbalance while walking, sitting without a backrest or standing without my walking stick.
My brain tells me I’m unstable.
I’ve use a benzodiazepine since the worst injury in 2008. (less than .5 mg/day) as it quells the constant something is ‘pushing me over’ messages I get from my brain.
I feel I cannot live without it!