Role of antivirals in treatment of vertigo due to vestibulopathies

Objective: The objective of this study is to study the role of antiviral medication on treatment of recurrent vertigo due to various vestibulopathies. Materials and Methods: Sixty-six adult patients of vestibular neuronitis (VN), Meniere's disease (MD), and benign paroxysmal positional vertigo were enrolled in this study, patients in each disorder where distributed randomly in two groups, Group A (antiviral) and Group B (nonantiviral). All Patients were assessed on the basis of reduction in dose of vestibular sedative drugs needed for control of vertigo on 1st, 3rd, and 5th day of treatment. Results: Statistically significant reduction in dose of labyrinthine sedatives was found to control vertigo in Group A patients as compared to Group B patients in both VN and MD. This reduction in dose of labyrinthine sedatives was seen on day 3 as well as on day 5 of treatment. Conclusion: This study shows that use of antiviral drugs significantly reduces the dose of vestibular sedatives needed for control of vertigo in MD and VN and hence should be used on a regular basis to treat these ailments.