Meclizine: effective long-term dizziness solution?
When I described my visit to the neurotologist recently, I mentioned that he prescribed me 12.5 milligrams of meclizine three times per day. This initially seemed like quite a bit to me — but after doing some research, I guess it’s pretty much the lowest dosage possible.
Meclizine, which is often sold under the brand names Bonine and Antivert, is both an antihistamine and an antiemetic (it prevents vertigo). Mine came in 25 mg tablets that I can break in half and tastes like some gross artificial berry that doesn’t actually exist in nature (yes, I had to chew it just to see what it tasted like).
While I was hesitant about taking it at first, I took some yesterday, last night and today, and I find it actually helps substantially. I almost feel 100% while taking it (there’s still a slight twinge of something there once in a while, but it comes and goes).
I was quite worried about the sedating effects of meclizine, but I’ve only been slightly drowsy while on it. It also helped me to sleep much better than I usually do.
What I wonder, however, is if taking meclizine constantly is going to be an effective way to combat benign vertigo and dizziness. I also wonder if it will have an impact on any vestibular compensation that is still happening (although I wonder if after 3 years, the vestibular compensation is pretty much at an end).
If anyone has had an experience with meclizine (or any other drug that was used successfully or unsucessfully to treat their dizziness or vertigo), I’d love to hear what your experience was with it.
16 Comments, Comment or Ping
Dizzy Dame
I’ve tried meclizine/antivert and a scopolamine patch…neither being efffective in my case. The origin of my vertigo is not vestibular so perhaps its main function is to target these physical areas specifically?
Do you have BPPV or know the specific origin of your disequilibrium?
Jun 9th, 2008
Vertigo Guy
Wow, I just looked at the link to scopolamine and had no idea that it was so toxic — and that a dose of only 330 micrograms was used to treat vertigo.
I would assume the origin of your vertigo is not in the ear at all then? I suppose it wouldn’t help with anything brain- or CNS-related. According to my neurotologist, meclizine is a vestibular suppressant, which is why it works for anyone who has any kind of vestibular dysfunction.
While the exact cause of my vertigo/disequilibrium has never really been found, the neurotologist guesses that it’s a damaged vestibular nerve (caused by vestibular neuritis) that has never completely been compensated for. I sometimes do wonder about BPPV however, since my symptoms are remarkably similar to those. I sometimes wonder if the cyrstal-repositioning techniques would be worth a short just to see if they’re helpful.
Jun 9th, 2008
Dizzy Dame
I’ve been tested in just about any manor you could imagine at this point, but nothing vestibular in origin. (possible “blog” in the works — I think the more individuals discussing this, the more can receive effective care)
I was asking before I mentioned checking into the Epley or Semont maneuvers to try addressing your complaint. Unfortunately (for me) it works predominantly with BPPV cases only, but i’ve heard through six degrees that it can be quite effective.
I’m excited for you that the meclizine has helped so much!
Jun 9th, 2008
Vertigo Guy
It’s funny, I can actually feel the difference when the meclizine starts to wear off. I start to get the jumpy suddenly-off-balance feeling that I’m very used to getting at this point. I would guess that this lends itself to a vestibular origin to my disequilibrium.
I thought about asking a physician to perform the Epley maneuver to see if it made any difference (I figure it can’t hurt, the worst thing that can happen is that it does nothing).
I’d really suggest starting a blog about your condition. It’s a great way to hear about others who have similar issues, and it gives you an outlet when you’re feeling a bit down or stressed.
Jun 10th, 2008
Dizzy Dame
You’d mentioned vestibular neuritis…I guess this is something that has to wear off?
The maneuvers are definitely worth trying if there is even a remote chance of lessening/eliminating your symptoms. (especially if you have insurance) A physical therapist will generally test for nystagmus, along with the more expected evals. (walking tests, finger touching, etc.) beforehand.
At one point in time I did not see any usefullness in my words falling upon deaf ears (a text editor is just as easy to vent) as there did not seem an audience to commiserate with. (sound kind of egotistical?)
I really like the idea of being able to discuss, help, and just mingle with someone who understands without considering my kvetching a burden. *g* At any rate, your journal, along with the one or two others i’ve discovered over the past month or so have acted as a catalyst and i’ve created one.
Would you mind if I added your site to my “blogroll?”
Jun 10th, 2008
Vertigo Guy
I’m not sure that the effects caused by vestibular neuritis will ever wear off, unfortunately. I’m hoping that my brain will eventually completely compensate for the damage caused — that’s my long-term hope anyway.
I agree about the maneuvers, and I think I will bring it up when I go to see my GP (I have a physical on Friday, so that might be a good time to bring it up). Doesn’t hurt to try I think.
I’m really glad you decided to start a blog. It’s a great experience, and gets people talking. I’ve added your site to my blogroll, and of course you’re welcome to do the same.
Having an audience that understands and can appreciate what you’re going through is not egotistical at all I think, it’s just human nature. We all want to be heard, and no one wants to be screaming into the void. So anyway, I’ll be looking forward to reading and happy blogging!
Jun 10th, 2008
thelight1974
From my understanding with the correct VRT and time you will compensate. Meclezine merely masks the symptoms as alchohol does. It deadens the faulty signals, I am surprised your specialist prescribed them to be honest as while taking them you will not compensate.
Jun 12th, 2008
Vertigo Guy
I’m hoping to hear back about the VRT sometime next week, and then we’ll see how it goes from there. As I said, I figure it can’t hurt to try it out. I’ll make sure to ask them when I start if I should stop taking the meclizine before I start VRT (I imagine that would be the best scenario).
I think the neurotologist prescribed meclizine because he thinks my brain has compensated all it can at this point. He said that after 3 years, more compensation is highly unlikely. This was definitely not the answer I was hoping for, and I’m really hoping that the VRT will help me make some progress.
Jun 12th, 2008
Emily
I started taking meclizine (25mg) once a day, ever since I moved to Santa Fe, NM. I have had problems with motion sickness my whole life. Normally, when I drive I’m ok, but I think this occasional hilly terrain, and possibly due to the high altitude, sometimes gets to me. I feel totally fine all day when I take meclizine, and have no adverse side effects. I’m wondering if I could take this forever? I would like too!
Jul 25th, 2009
BARBARA
the vertigo I get is usually positional, and with all the tension in my neck and shoulders, it also could be shutting off blood supply, usually these bouts are at bhome after a nap and I wake with vertigo try to nap again wake and the vertigo is gone. This time it happened in public while turning my heat side to side looking for a partucular item. It came on fast my fiance was in the car, thank God, I prayed all the way there, got home could not wask the room was spinning so past I vomited 5-6 times in 1/2 hour called after hours doc, he suggested I have someone go get me (Bonine-meclizine) took 25mg woke up 2 hours later, not gone but much better, when I woke next morning it is like nothing has happened, when I went to see the i told him i was told to take 25 mg a day i split- half in am half in pm. I loved it the vertigo was gone and because it is antihistimine based didn’t have to take allergy meds. i was to take a 5 day course as mine comes on fast and serious and then gone, I wish i could talk all the time.
Aug 4th, 2010
mooseman
has anybody been diagnosed with dyslexia-dyspraxia and be treated with meclizine?
well i am a dyslexic-dyspraxic with probable vestibular lesion
i want to know 1) what are the side effects of long term use of meclizine 2) does the effect wear off with time 3) do we get tolerant to it?
the thing is IF ARE SUPPRESSING THE VESTIBULAR SYSTEM AND NUMBING IT WE ARE ACTUALLY CAUSING MORE DAMAGE
WE SHOULD ACTUALLY EXPOSE TO MORE STIMULI AND OVER EXPOSE SO IT IS ACTUALLY ACCOMODATED TO ANY SITUATION………
Dec 15th, 2010
mooseman
well the connection with dyslexia-dyspraxia with vestibular defect was made by Dr Harold Levinson (NY) a neurologist
if any body wants to check it up
thanks
Dec 15th, 2010
Laurie
I use Meclizine occasionally to try to combat the vertigo, had some really bad episodes last fall that some were lasting up to three days or more, and really intense and debilitating, then I was prescribed Maxalt which helps me, takes about half an hour to kick in but I am able to carry on with my day and the vertigo episodes have decreased substantially. Hope this helps.
Jun 2nd, 2011
Jody
I have taken meclizine for about 30 years for BPPV. I have taken up to 50mg per day but for the past 10 years or so I take only 12.5 per day. My episodes of dizziness have decreased to only a couple of times per year where I can’t function for a day. I get the occasional rush of dizziness when bending over or turning over once in awhile but can recover quickly. I have been expericing some blurred vision over the past couple of years and didn’t read until now that it is a side effect. Don’t know if it is that or just older age? The dizziness seems to run in my family, which the doctors said wasn’t possible, but I think is something with our inner ear makeup. I’m afraid to stop taking meclizine for fear that I will get the depilitating episodes that I had 20-30 years ago where I was out of commission for up to 3 days.
Nov 23rd, 2011
Bonnie
My first bout of vertigo I had was about 8 years ago, it had me in bed for 3 weeks…It was a horrible experience I was given meclizine and it didnt do a thing for me. My next bout came about three years later, which lasted a few days in bed. I went to an ENT dr a neurologist, who ran every test under the sun, thank g-d it wasn’t anything in my brain. I did some research and found a physical therapist who specialized in vertigo, during my 3rd bout and this PT really saved my sanity, he did all sorts of manuvering with my head, puttinmg me into vertigo states, and taught me how to control them and not let them control me. I learned how to focus and do breathing technics that kept them from getting out of control, I’m sure that most people who have vertigo, get very anxious which makes the vertigo worse. Now when I get an attack I can at least keep them in control. I tell meself you are not going to control me I am going to control you!!!!!!!!
Stay strong everybody we will all beat this 
people that have never experience this can never understand what it’s like!!!!!
Another thing that I was told to do, was before getting out of bed to flex my feet back and forth to get the blood flowing faster, there isn’t a day that I don’t do that now
Jan 31st, 2012
CHARLOTTE
I was just diagnosed yeterday w/ positional vertigo. It happened as I was rolling over in bed to the left side and the room started spinning. I thought it was a fluke so I tried it again and it did the same thing. I have to drive alot so I went to dr. to have it checked. She said I have mild form of BPPV. She prescribed 1/2 pills of Meclizine which I took and only feel tired from it. I slept great last night. I do not have episodes while I am sitting, walking, standing, or even exercising. It is only lying down. Do you think it will stay that way? The dr. didn’t say I was not ok to drive, so I took my kids to school today with my husband and I drove ok. Do you think I can drive long distances again? My fear is that the positional vertigo gets worse. Nice to have someone to chat with. My husband does not understand and thinks one can only be sick unless they are bleeding! I don’t want this problem to come between me and my job, and I want to lead a normal life.
Feb 2nd, 2012
Reply to “Meclizine: effective long-term dizziness solution?”