Medicines for labyrinthitis, such as betahistine, dimenhydrinate or flunarizine, may be recommended by the doctor to help treat the symptoms of labyrinthitis such as dizziness, vertigo, ringing in the ears, nausea or vomiting, for example.
Labyrinthitis is an inflammation of the ear that affects the labyrinth, a region of the inner ear responsible for hearing and balance, and can have different causes such as ear infection, flu, cold, high blood pressure or even neurological diseases, for example, and it is always important to consult the otorhinolaryngologist or neurologist to assess the cause and indicate the most appropriate treatment. Check out all the causes of labyrinthitis.
In addition to the remedies recommended by your doctor, some homemade options can also help alleviate symptoms and complement medical treatment, such as ginkgo biloba tea, which helps improve blood circulation, relieving the symptoms of labyrinthitis.
10 pharmacy remedies for labyrinthitis
Remedies to treat labyrinthitis must be prescribed by an otorhinolaryngologist or neurologist and depend on the symptoms and causes of labyrinthitis.
Some of the main medications that may be prescribed by your doctor are:
1. Flunarizina
Flunarizine (Flunarin or Vertix), as well as cinnarizine (Stugeron), are anti-vertigo medications indicated to treat and prevent various symptoms of labyrinthitis such as vertigo, dizziness, ringing in the ears, nausea or vomiting, as they act by reducing the excessive entry of calcium into the sensory cells of the vestibular system, which is responsible for balance.
These remedies can be found in tablet or oral solution form and should only be used with medical advice.
2. Dimenidrinato
Dimenhydrinate (Dramin) is an antihistamine, as well as meclizine (Meclin), promethazine (Phenergan), which can be indicated to prevent or treat nausea and/or vomiting caused by labyrinthitis, as they act by blocking the action of histamine in the brain and reducing the production of acid in the stomach, responsible for the body’s nausea and vomiting response.
These medications should be used with caution as they can cause drowsiness as a side effect, and care should be taken when driving, for example.
3. Scopolamine
Scopolamine (Buscopan) is an anticholinergic medicine that works by reducing stomach contractions due to its antispasmodic action. Therefore, it is able to reduce the feeling of nausea and prevent vomiting caused by labyrinthitis.
This remedy should only be used under medical advice, as it is contraindicated for children, pregnant women, breastfeeding women, or people with glaucoma. Furthermore, this medicine can cause side effects such as dry mouth, dizziness, drop in blood pressure, heart palpitations, or urinary retention, for example.
4. Metoclopramide
Metoclopramide (Plasil) is an antiemetic indicated for the treatment of nausea and vomiting caused by labyrinthitis, as it acts by increasing contractions of the muscles in the digestive tract, accelerating gastric and intestinal emptying.
Another antiemetic that may also be recommended by the doctor is prochlorperazine, which works by blocking the effect of dopamine, a type of neurotransmitter that acts on the vomiting center present in the brain, responsible for causing nausea and vomiting.
5. Betaistine dihydrochloride
Betahistine dihydrochloride (Labirin or Betadine) is a vasodilator medicine that works by improving blood flow in the inner ear, reducing pressure and thus reducing dizziness, nausea, vomiting and tinnitus related to labyrinthitis.
This medicine should be taken orally, preferably with a meal to reduce the risk of side effects such as nausea, vomiting or abdominal pain. This medicine should also always be used only under medical advice.
6. Diazepam
Diazepam (Valium), as well as lorazepam (Lorax), are anxiolytics that may also be recommended by the doctor for some cases of labyrinthitis, as they help to reduce initial dizziness and vertigo.
These medications should only be used for a short period of time, no longer than 72 hours, as they can interfere with the repair of the vestibular system, which is responsible for balance and movement.
7. Prednisone
Prednisone is a corticosteroid that reduces ear inflammation responsible for labyrinthitis. For this reason, it may be recommended by a doctor when a sudden hearing loss occurs, or in cases of autoimmune labyrinthitis or viral labyrinthitis. Learn how to use prednisone.
8. Amoxicillin
Amoxicillin is an antibiotic that may be recommended by your doctor in the case of bacterial labyrinthitis, as it works by eliminating bacteria that are causing an ear infection.
In addition to amoxicillin, the doctor may prescribe other types of antibiotics, such as cefuroxime, azithromycin or clarithromycin, for example, depending on the type of bacteria that is causing the infection.
In some cases, the application of antibiotics into a vein, such as ceftriaxone, for example, may also be recommended.
9. Acyclovir
Acyclovir is an antiviral, as are famciclovir and valacyclovir, which may be indicated for viral labyrinthitis, in order to reduce the duration of symptoms or prevent ear damage caused by herpes zoster optica.
Generally, in these cases, the doctor can combine the antiviral with prednisone or another corticosteroid, in addition to diazepam to reduce dizziness or vertigo.
It is important that these medications are used with medical guidance, in the doses and for the duration of treatment indicated by the doctor.
10. Azatioprina
Azathioprine, as well as cyclophosphamide, are immunosuppressive medications that may be indicated for the treatment of autoimmune labyrinthitis, as they act by reducing the action of the immune system, preventing healthy cells in the ear from being attacked and destroyed by the immune system itself.
Home remedy options
To carry out home treatment for labyrinthitis, it is recommended to eat every 3 hours, do regular physical activity and avoid some foods, especially processed foods. Find out everything you can do to avoid labyrinthitis attacks.
1. Natural remedy
A good home remedy for labyrinthitis that can complement the treatment recommended by your doctor is ginkgo biloba tea, which improves blood circulation and can help combat the symptoms of the disease.
In addition, ginkgo biloba can also be taken in capsules, available in pharmacies and herbalists, but should only be used if recommended by your doctor.
See other home remedy options for labyrinthitis.
2. Diet
There are some foods that can worsen or trigger a labyrinthitis attack and should be avoided, such as white sugar, honey, sweets, white flour, biscuits, fried foods, processed meats, white bread and salt. This is because salt increases pressure in the ear, worsening the feeling of dizziness, while sweets, fats and flour increase inflammation, stimulating attacks of labyrinthitis.
Furthermore, you should avoid sugary, processed or alcoholic drinks, and drinks that contain caffeine, such as coffee, black tea or green tea, for example.
To help reduce ear inflammation and prevent seizures, you can increase your consumption of anti-inflammatory foods, such as vegetables, chia seeds, sardines, salmon and nuts, as they are rich in omega 3. Discover a list of foods anti-inflammatories.
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