Dizziness

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The information in this article is intended as a helpful guide only. It is not intended to be used as a substitute for professional advice. If you have any questions about your medications and what is right for you see your doctor, pharmacist or other health care professional.


Roller coasters and spinning fair rides can be thrilling. Sometimes after the ride the participants stagger a bit for a short time. They say they are dizzy. Dizziness refers to a variety of sensations such as lightheadedness, fainting, spinning and giddiness. Vertigo is the sensation of movement when there is none, or an exaggerated sense of movement to a give body motion. Dizziness can be caused by a number of non-ear related conditions like high or low blood pressure, diabetes, migraine or head injury. Dizziness can be caused by medications like blood pressure pills, anti-depressants, alcohol, anti-Parkinson medication and anti-seizure medications. We will talk mostly about ear related dizziness.

Firstly, though, all patients with dizziness and vertigo should be assessed by a physician. It is important to find the cases of dizziness and not just let them go untreated. If a person is dizzy and has numbness, tingling, or weakness in any part of the body, vision problems, confusion or has difficulty speaking call 911 or take them to an emergency room. The person may be having a stroke.

What can be done for dizziness? Well, there are drug and non-drug treatments. My sister is a physiotherapist in British Columbia. She tells me that sometimes she can help patients by having them do some specific movements. She tells me that these semi-circular cannels in the ear that control balance can get debris moving through the fluid and making the person dizzy. If a trained health care professional rotates the patient in a special way the debris can moved “out of the way” so the dizziness gets better.

There are a few medications that can be used to treat dizziness. Most people are probably familiar with dimenhydrinate (brand name gravol). It can help dizziness but often causes drowsiness and dry mouth. Meclizine (brand name bonamine) is available without a prescription now and it lasts longer than dimenhydrinate. There are also patches which contain scopolamine which can last for up to 3 days. These are popular to combat sea sickness for people going on boats. By prescription there is betahistine (brand name serc). It usually lasts about 8 hours and has less sedation than the other dizziness medications. All of these medications are called antihistamines. To differing degrees they can all treat nausea and vomiting as well as dizziness. Also to varying degrees they can all cause drowsiness, confusion, dry mouth, blurred vision, constipation and trouble urinating. They should be used with caution with people on antidepressants. They should be avoided in certain types of glaucoma (closed angle), certain prostate problems and if the person already has trouble with urinary retention.

As always if you have any questions or concerns about these or other products, ask your pharmacist.