Medical Treatment
Diuretics: By increasing urine production, treatment with diuretics contributes to a "negative sodium balance", which means that more sodium is lost from the body than is eaten in the diet.
Dyazide, Maxzide - a combination of hydrochlorothiazide and triamterine. Triamterine is a potassium-sparing diuretic, which means that it increases excretion of sodium and chloride in the urine, while conserving potassium.
Lasix - Furosemide is a loop diuretic, a specific class of diuretics that inhibits reabsorption of sodium and chloride ions not only in the proximal and distal tubules, but also in Henle's loops, therby increasing the volume of urine excreted.
Diamox - Acetazolamide is sometimes prescribed because of its effectiveness in treating glaucoma of the eye (with which endolymphatic hydrops is sometime compared). However, regulation of endolymph in the inner ear occurs by completely different mechanisms to those in the eye, so it is unlikely to have any direct effect on hydrops in the ear. One study reported poor results and a high incidence of side effects with this diuretic.
HCTZ, Esidrix, Oretic, HydroDiuril, Microzide - hydrochlorothiazide without the triamterine
Anti-Nausea: While most of these drugs are generally aimed at treating the effects of vertigo, they may also play a role in controlling the disease itself by reducing stress and anxiety.
Antivert, Bonine, D-Vert, Dramamine II, Meclicot, Medivert - Meclizine is used to treat the nausea and vomiting associated with motion sickness and vertigo. It is believed to work by decreasing the sensitivity of the body's central nervous system balance centers.
Serc - Betahistine is also reported to increase cochlear blood flow, which may in some way contribute to the improvement seen in patients.
Phenergan - Promethazine controls nausea, vomiting and motion sickness.
Dramamine, Vomex - Dimenhydrinate is an antihistamine used to treat motion sickness, nausea, and vomiting. It works by blocking histamine from binding to its receptor, preventing histamine from exerting its effects.
Compazine, Stemetil - It is used for the management of psychotic disorders, anxiety and to control nausea and vomiting.
Transderm-Scop - It is used to prevent nausea and vomiting associated with motion sickness in adults.
Vistaril - An antihistamine used to treat a variety of allergic conditions and sometimes used preoperatively to induce sleep.
Torecan - It is used to treat severe nausea and vomiting in certain patients.
Anti-anxiety: Like the anti-nausea medications, While most of these drugs are generally aimed at treating the effects of vertigo, they may also play a role in controlling the disease itself by reducing stress and anxiety.
Valium, Di Tran, Diazepam - It is used to treat several disorders including panic disorder, muscle spasms, anxiety, and alcohol withdrawl.
Ativan, Lorazepam - It is used to treat anxiety, associated with depression, or insomnia.
Xanax, Alprazolam - It is used to treat anxiety associated with depression and panic disorders.
Thorazine - It is used to treat schizophrenia as well as for the control of anxiety or agitation in certain patients, severe nausea and vomiting.
Steroids: The benefit seen by some patients has been attributed to the suppression of an autoimmune response. However, they also affect carbohydrate and protein metabolism, lipid metabolism, electrolyte balance, inflammatory responses and immune responses. It is not known which of the effects is important in relieving the symptoms of Meniere's. They are used to treat various inflammatory conditions.
Prednisone - It works by altering how the immune system responds to certain stimuli. It may also act directly on fluid homeostasis in the inner ear by interacting with glucocorticoid receptors in the ear.
Cortisone - Cortisone may act the supplement the body's natural glucocorticoid stores or alter how the immune system responds to certain stimuli.
Dexamethasone - Is sometimes given locally to the cochlea (by injection through the eardrum into the middle ear space) in conjunction with intravenous administration.
Natural supplements:
Ginger - Some find that ginger helps reduce nausea.
Vertigoheel - Some find that it is as successful as SERC in reducing vertigo