Medications

Medicines do not cure benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV). But they may be used to control severe symptoms, such as the whirling, spinning sensation of vertigo and the nausea and vomiting that may occur.

Medication Choices

Medicines to reduce the whirling sensation of vertigo are called vestibular suppressants. They include:

• Antihistamines, such as Dramamine (dimenhydrinate), Antivert (meclizine), Benadryl (diphenhydramine).
• Scopolamine, also known as Transderm-Scop.
• Sedatives, such as Valium (diazepam) or Klonopin (clonazepam).

Antiemetic medicines may be used if you have nausea or vomiting along with the vertigo.

What To Think About

Medicines that calm the inner ear (vestibular suppressants) may also slow down the brain's ability to adjust to the abnormal balance signals triggered by the particles in the inner ear. They should be taken only for 1 to 2 weeks to control severe symptoms.