This is a frequent question that many of my patients ask me. Antivert, Meclizine, Bonine, and Dramamine are all drugs that can be bought over the counter to treat dizziness. But the question is, when should a person take these drugs?
To answer this question, one must first understand how these medications work. These drugs decrease or prevent dizziness, by blocking signals FROM the inner ear TO the brain. If a person is having a full blown vertigo attack, these drugs may be necessary, and may be prescribed by your doctor. However, once the attack is over, continuing to take these medications can interfere with one’s recovery.
For instance, when a person comes to physical therapy to treat an inner ear disorder, the purpose of the therapy is to teach the brain how to respond better to inner ear signals in order to improve one’s balance and decrease one’s dizziness. In other words, we want the inner ear to be able to send signals to the brain, so that the brain can learn how to adjust and use inner ear information again.
If a person is taking one of these drugs, then the medication is actually blocking the very signals that the brain needs in order for the person to get better. Therefore, in most cases, it is not advised to take these medications. In fact when used chronically, these medications can actually prevent or delay recovery.
*Disclaimer: The above recommendations reflect basic treatment philosophy when working with patients with inner ear disorders. Since physical therapists do not dispense medications, further specific questions about your medication regimen should be directed to your personal physician.
