Vestibular migraine: a critical review of treatment trials.
Vestibular migraine (VM), also known as migraine-associated vertigo, is a common cause of dizziness in adults. We performed a comprehensive literature search regarding treatment for VM or migraine-associated vertigo during the period of 1990-2008 and used, individually or in combination, the search terms VM, migraine-associated vertigo, migraine-associated dizziness, migrainous vertigo, migraine and vertigo, migraine and disequilibrium, and headache and vertigo. We found nine publications that address treatment strategies for VM. One small randomized clinical trial found some benefit from the use of zolmitriptan for abortive treatment of VM. The other eight observational studies showed marginal improvement with migraine prophylactic medications such as nortriptyline, verapamil, or metoprolol. Until more specific treatment options become available, patients with VM need to be managed with similar prophylactic and abortive strategies as those used for migraine in adults.
Fotuhi
Majid
M
Center for Balance, Dizziness, and Vertigo, LifeBridge Health Brain & Spine Institute, 5051 Greenspring Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21209, USA. mfotuhi@lifebridgehealth.org
Glaun
Braeme
B
Quan
Susan Y
SY
Sofare
Tzipora
T
D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000929:Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004244:Dizziness / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D008881:Migraine Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D040242:Risk Reduction Behavior; D017366:Serotonin Receptor Agonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014717:Vertigo / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D015837:Vestibular Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology
D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; D000929:Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers; D017366:Serotonin Receptor Agonists