Vertigo
Vertigo often gets better without treatment. See a GP if it keeps coming back or is affecting your daily life.
Prescription review online
A doctor will review your case and issue a prescription if medically appropriate.
Talk to a doctor online
Discuss your symptoms and possible next steps with a doctor online.
On this page
Medicines commonly prescribed for Vertigo
For informational purposes only. Always consult a doctor before taking any medication.
Dosage form: TABLET, 5 mgActive substance: diazepamManufacturer: Laboratorios Cinfa S.A.Prescription requiredDosage form: TABLET, 2.5 mgActive substance: diazepamManufacturer: Kern Pharma S.L.Prescription requiredDosage form: TABLET, 8 mgActive substance: betahistineManufacturer: Neuraxpharm Spain S.L.Prescription required
Vertigo often gets better without treatment. See a GP if it keeps coming back or is affecting your daily life.
Symptoms of vertigo
Vertigo feels like you or everything around you is spinning – enough to affect your balance. It's more than just feeling dizzy.
A vertigo attack can last from a few seconds to hours. If you have severe vertigo, it can last for many days or months.
Things you can do to help ease vertigo
There are things you can do to ease vertigo symptoms when they're happening, and to reduce how often it happens.
Do
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lie still in a quiet, dark room to reduce the spinning feeling
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move your head carefully and slowly during daily activities
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sit down straight away when you feel dizzy
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turn on the lights if you get up at night
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use a walking stick if you're at risk of falling
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sleep with your head slightly raised on 2 or more pillows
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get out of bed slowly and sit on the edge of the bed for a while before standing up
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try to relax – anxiety can make vertigo worse
Consult with a doctor about Vertigo
Discuss your symptoms and possible next steps with a doctor online.
Don’t
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do not bend over to pick things up – squat to lower yourself instead
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do not stretch your neck – for example, while reaching up to a high shelf
See a GP if:
- you have vertigo that will not go away or keeps coming back
What happens at your appointment
If you have vertigo, a GP will ask about your symptoms to try to find out what could be causing them.
A simple test that involves you moving quickly from a sitting to a lying position might be done to check your balance. This could bring on symptoms.
You might also be referred to a specialist for further tests.
Call 112 or go to A&E if:
You have vertigo and:
- double vision or loss of vision
- hearing loss
- trouble speaking
- leg or arm weakness, numbness or tingling
Always take someone who cannot be woken up to A&E or call 112.
Do not drive to A&E. Ask someone to drive you or call 112 and ask for an ambulance.
Bring any medicines you take with you.
Treatment for vertigo
Most people with vertigo get better without treatment.
Treatment will depend on the cause. A GP might prescribe antibiotics if it's caused by an infection.
You could also be given exercises to do to try to correct your balance.
Antihistamines can sometimes help with vertigo symptoms.
Driving and vertigo
If you drive, you must tell the DVLA about your vertigo.
What causes vertigo
Inner ear problems, which affect balance, are the most common causes of vertigo.
These include:
- benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) – where specific head movements cause vertigo
- labyrinthitis – an inner ear infection caused by a cold or flu virus
- vestibular neuritis – inflammation of the vestibular nerve
- Ménière's disease – a rare inner ear condition, which sometimes involves ringing in the ear (tinnitus) or loss of hearing
Other things that can cause vertigo include:
- migraine
- some types of medicine – check the leaflet to see if it's listed as a side effect
Sometimes the cause is unknown.
Online doctors for Vertigo
Discuss your symptoms and possible next steps for Vertigo with a doctor online.
