Chronic vertigo: treat with exercise, not drugs

A recent BMJ article highlighted concerns about the potential for vestibular suppressant medications (anticholinergics, antihistamines, and benzodiazepines) to suppress vestibular compensation. The authors advised limiting use to the acute phase of vestibular neuronitis and to no more than three days.

In the twelve months before the article was published, CCGs in Cumbria & the North East spent over £300,000 on betahistine alone – a drug that has been shown to be no better than placebo.