Over the counter medicine for dizziness

As creatures of habit, we prefer the easiest solution. It doesn’t matter if it’s the best solution. As long as it requires the least amount of effort. That’s why there exists an entire class of medications for dizziness which are widely prescribed and used.

Ironically, there’s a long list of medications that cause dizziness. But that’s beside the point.

Are over-the-counter medications for dizziness effective? Sometimes. Are they something you should use long-term? Most certainly not.

However, many dizzy patients find themselves using OTC dizziness medications for years of their lives without ever getting the proper treatment.

Medications for Dizziness

Undoubtedly, the pharmaceutical industry has developed some great medications for dizziness. We cannot deny that. And they can be used short-term on patients who are really in a bad state.

These are some of the most widely-used medications for short term dizziness:

• Meclizine
• Promethazine
• Bonine
• Antivert
• Dramamine

However, these dizziness medications are a band-aid solution. An accessible, temporary fix that only temporarily alleviates symptoms.

Using over-the-counter medications for dizziness is like patching a hole on your roof with paper towels. It might work for a day or a couple of hours, but you’re committing to changing those paper towels every day… And who wants to do that?!

There are too many types of dizziness and sources of dizziness to just take a pill and expect it to solve your problems. For instance, you might be taking Antivert when your dizziness is actually caused by high blood pressure. So what’s the right way to treat dizziness?

When working with your physician and knowledgeable vestibular specialists, it will be determined if medications are necessary and the potential risk certain medications can have on slowing down the vestibular compensation process. 

There are a few classes of prescription medications useful in the treatment of vertigo. And working with your physician will determine what specific regimen makes the most sense for your cause of symptoms.

They can be used to alter the severity of symptoms (a good example of this would be when vestibular suppressants like anticholinergics and benzodiazepines are used for Ménière’s disease and briefly used for vestibular neuritis), or when prescribed to address the underlying cause of migraine associated vertigo (prophylactic agents L-channel calcium channel antagonists, beta-blockers and tricyclic antidepressants). 

For BPPV and bilateral vestibular disorders, medications (over-the-counter or prescription) are not currently recommended and starting vestibular rehabilitation therapy is vital.

The Right Way to Treat Dizziness

First and foremost, if you experience frequent dizzy or vertigo spells, then you need to find the right doctor to diagnose your problem. Unfortunately, too often, people visit the wrong doctors to treat their dizziness. That’s why there’s The Dizzy Diagnosis Conundrum: Why Dizzy Patients Struggle to Get Answers.

Following up with your primary care physician and getting medical clearance is important. Once your doctor has evaluated you, following up with the right doctor for dizziness is a Vestibular Audiologist, such as the team at the Dizzy & Vertigo Institute.

Vestibular Audiologists have the proper equipment to pinpoint the source of many types of dizziness. Whether it’s coming from the inner ear, the brain stem and nervous system, or even from other causes (hydration, blood pressure, stress, etc.). Vestibular Audiologists specialize in dizziness.

Fixing dizziness longterm happens through Vestibular Rehabilitation Therapy. It’s a program that encompasses recalibrating the input the brain takes in between the ears, eyes and muscles through Visual Desentization, Optokinetic Exposure, Gaze Stabilization, Habituation and/or Canalith Repositioning. All of which are used to naturally reset your balance system and build your body’s ability to reset its own balance.

To understand our process for treating dizzy patients in detail, head over to this article: How We Treat Dizziness – What To Expect Working with the Dizzy & Vertigo Institute.

We know that life is hectic. And adding dizziness on top of it only makes things worse. So, we understand why you might be tempted to reach for Antivert or Dramamine. But there’s a better, long-lasting solution out there for you. And it starts with a consultation at the Dizzy & Vertigo Institute.

We include products we think are useful for our readers. If you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission. Here’s our process.

How we vet brands and products

Healthline only shows you brands and products that we stand behind.

• Evaluate ingredients and composition: Do they have the potential to cause harm?
• Fact-check all health claims: Do they align with the current body of scientific evidence?
• Assess the brand: Does it operate with integrity and adhere to industry best practices?

Read more about our vetting process.

About dizziness

Dizziness is the disorienting feeling of being unbalanced or lightheaded. You may feel like you’re about to faint or your surroundings are moving or spinning around you.

Both feelings sometimes occur along with nausea or vomiting. Dizziness is not a medical condition on its own. It’s a symptom of an underlying cause.

Some possible causes of dizziness include:

• benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV)
• hypoglycemia
• hypotension
• taking certain medications
• inner ear problems
• circulation problems
• certain conditions, such as anemia, migraines, or anxiety
• stroke
• motion sickness
• head injuries
• certain illnesses such as the common cold

Treating your dizziness usually involves treating one of these other conditions.

Remedies for dizziness

Certain foods and nutrients may help relieve symptoms of dizziness.

Water

Dehydration is a common cause of dizziness. If you feel tired and thirsty and urinate less often when you’re dizzy, try drinking water and staying hydrated.

Ginger

Ginger may help relieve symptoms of motion sickness and dizziness. It may also help treat nausea in pregnant women.

You can take ginger in many forms. Add fresh or ground ginger to your diet, drink ginger tea, or take ginger supplements.

However, you should always consult your doctor before taking any kind of supplement, even if it’s natural. Supplements can interfere with other medical conditions you have or medications you take.

Shop for ginger tea

Vitamin C

According to the Meniere’s Society, consuming vitamin C can reduce vertigo in if you have Meniere’s disease. Foods rich in vitamin C include:

• oranges
• grapefruits
• strawberries
• bell peppers

Vitamin E

Vitamin E can help maintain the elasticity of your blood vessels. This can help prevent circulation problems. Vitamin E can be found in:

• wheat germ
• seeds
• nuts
• kiwis
• spinach

Vitamin D

Vitamin D has been shown to help you improve after BPPV attacks.

Iron

If your doctor thinks you have anemia, they may encourage you to get more iron. Iron can be found in foods such as:

• red meat
• poultry
• beans
• dark leafy greens

Medications to treat dizziness

Medications to treat dizziness often focus on treating the underlying condition.

Preventative migraine medicine, for example, is often prescribed if you have vertigo or dizziness with migraines. Anti-anxiety medications can also be prescribed to reduce the severity of anxiety attacks that cause dizziness.

Other medications that may be used for dizziness include:

• Water pills or diuretics may be used as treatment for conditions like Meniere’s disease that cause a fluid buildup in the inner ear
• Antihistamines and anticholinergics are two of the only prescription medications that focus entirely on treating dizziness instead of the underlying condition
• Over-the-counter antihistamines are another option, though the nondrowsy variations are less effective at treating dizziness.

Exercises and lifestyle practices

When you start to feel dizzy, lying down as soon as possible can often help. If you have a severe case of vertigo, close your eyes while lying down. If you’re overheated, get a cool drink and move to a shaded, air-conditioned area.

Epley maneuver

The Epley maneuver, which you can do at home, is an exercise that can help treat dizziness, especially from BPPV. It’s designed to dislodge crystals from the ear canals and reduce dizziness.

According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, the Epley maneuver involves the following steps:

• Sit on a bed and turn your head halfway to the right.
• Lie down on your back while keeping your head turned. A pillow should be under your shoulders only, with your head reclining.
• Hold this position for 30 seconds.
• Turn your head without raising it so it’s looking halfway to the left. Wait another 30 seconds.
• Keeping your head turned, turn your body to the left so that you’re lying on your side. Wait 30 seconds.
• Sit up on your left side.

Self-awareness

If you’re prone to dizziness, let your doctor know. That information can help when you’re undergoing treatment.

If you’re more aware that you may fall or lose your balance, you may be more prepared to prevent an injury. If you can identify what triggers your dizziness, you can avoid the triggers.

Acupuncture

Acupuncture may help treat dizziness. Acupuncture is the practice of inserting tiny, thin needles into specific areas of the skin. In asmall study, acupuncture seemed to reduce symptoms of dizziness.

Physical Therapy

A special type of physical therapy called vestibular rehabilitation may help. Physical therapy can also improve balance.

Preventing dizziness

Living a healthy lifestyle can help treat and prevent dizziness.

Try to reduce the amount of stress in your life. Drink plenty of water. Get enough sleep.

You should also avoid salt, alcohol, caffeine, and tobacco. According to the Mayo Clinic, frequent consumption of these substances can increase your symptoms.

Causes of dizziness

There are different causes of dizziness. Some are less serious than others.

Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) is one of the most common causes of vertigo. It’s caused by specific changes in the positioning of your head. It can cause short episodes of mild to severe dizziness, usually started by head movements.

BPPV is often idiopathic, which means no cause is known. However, it can be caused by a blow to the head. According to the Mayo Clinic, there’s a link between BPPV and migraines.

Hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar, is one of the most common causes of dizziness. Hypotension, or low blood pressure, can also cause fatigue and dizziness.

Certain medications can also cause dizziness.

For example, blood pressure medications may lower your blood pressure too much and lead to dizziness. Sedatives and tranquilizers have dizziness as a common side effect. Antiseizure drugs and antidepressants can also cause dizziness.

Talk to your doctor if you think dizziness is caused by any medications that you take.

Other common causes of dizziness can include:

• inner ear problems, such as infections or fluid buildup, which can affect balance
• circulation problems, including poor blood circulation that prevents adequate blood flow from reaching the brain or inner ear
• dehydration
• heat stroke or becoming overheated
• head or neck injuries
• stroke

There are times when dizziness is a medical emergency. If you experience dizziness along with blurred or double vision, weakness or numbness in the body, slurred speech, or severe headaches, call 911 immediately.

How do I get instant relief from dizziness?

What is the home medicine for dizziness?