Use of nimodipine in the medical treatment of Menière's disease: clinical experience.
OBJECTIVE
Nimodipine is a highly lipophilic, centrally acting calcium channel blocker. It is similar in action to flunarizine, which has been studied for use in the medical treatment of Menière's disease.


METHODS
Nimodipine was offered to patients with Menière's disease for whom first-line medical management failed (dietary restrictions and diuretics or vestibular suppressants).


RESULTS
Our preliminary clinical experience using nimodipine in 12 patients with Menière's disease from December 1992 until March 1995 resulted in successful control of vertigo and hearing improvement or stabilization in seven (58%) of 12 patients. When hearing stabilization was not considered, eight (67%) patients had vertigo satisfactorily controlled (AAOO class A, B, or C). The four (33%) patients whose vertigo symptoms persisted despite treatment with nimodipine (AAOO class D) were surgically treated with successful vertigo control. Nimodipine was discontinued in one class D patient because of gastrointestinal intolerance.


CONCLUSIONS
Nimodipine provides an alternative successful means for medical management of Menière's disease.
Lassen
L F
LF
Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Naval Medical Center, Portsmouth, Virginia 23708, USA.
Hirsch
B E
BE
Kamerer
D B
DB
D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006198:Hair Cells, Auditory / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008575:Meniere Disease / Q000188:drug therapy*; D009553:Nimodipine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers; D009553:Nimodipine