Use of nimodipine in the medical treatment of Menière's disease: clinical experience.

PURPOSE: 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.