A reader writes to say that he has stopped taking his medicine because it makes him drowsy and asks what else he should do.
The reader should talk to his doctor and discuss whether an adjustment in the frequency and dosage of his medicine is in order.
For every medicine, there are one or more side effects. The idea is to balance the side effects with the sought direct effect of the medicine. Medicines such as Valium and Antivert (meclizine hydrochloride) are intended to sedate the vestibular system to reduce the frequency, duration, and intensity of attacks of rotational vertgo. Naturally, the side effect of any vestibular sedative will be drowsiness to a greater or lesser degree. Also naturally, each patient has different tolerances for various side effects. Each patient must decide whether one prefers vertigo attacks to drowsiness, when medicines that cause drowsiness are also medicines that improve rotational vertigo.
It may be that the doctor will recommend reducing one’s dosage so that one takes only as much medicine as will supress the vertigo while allowing the patient to perform reasonably well. If one can sense an impending attack, perhaps the doctor will recommend that one only take the medicine when one so senses an impending attack. Perhaps other medicines or other treatments are more appropriate. These are issues to discuss with one’s doctor. See the MenieresInfo.com Treatment Page.