Treating Meniere’s Disease: Medications

Certain medications can help manage Meniere’s symptoms. Some help reduce the fluid pressure in the inner ear that leads to symptoms. Others help ease symptoms themselves. No medication will cure Meniere’s, and no medication is right for everyone.

Reducing the Fluid

Certain medications called diuretics rid your body of excess fluid. By doing so, they may help reduce fluid buildup (hydrops) in your inner ear. Because diuretics may also make your body lose a mineral called potassium, your doctor may prescribe potassium supplements.

Treating Your Symptoms

• Antidizziness medications help relieve vertigo.

• Antinausea (also called antiemetic) medications help relieve nausea and vomiting.

• Sedatives help you relax and sleep during a vertigo attack.

Note: Because of the nausea and vomiting that often accompany vertigo attacks, these medications may be prescribed in rectal suppository form.

Other Medications

Your doctor may prescribe one or more additional medications for you. These may help reduce inner ear swelling, improve hearing, or relieve symptoms. These medications include vasodilators, antidepressants, antianxiety medications, steroids, and antihistamines.

Antibiotic Therapy

Certain antibiotics may permanently shut down the balance portion of the inner ear, helping to relieve symptoms of vertigo. Antibiotic therapy is generally given in the doctor’s office over a period of several weeks. If only one ear needs treatment, liquid antibiotic is injected directly into the middle ear. If both ears need treatment, liquid antibiotic is injected into a muscle, such as the arm.