[Durgical](https://durgical.com/en/) › [DurgiPedia](https://durgical.com/en/durgipedia/) › [Pharmacology](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/) › Antivertigo agents

# Antivertigo agents

Medicines that reduce vertigo from inner-ear disorders such as Ménière's disease.

Updated Nov 1, 2026

## What they are

The WHO ATC group of antivertigo preparations includes betahistine, cinnarizine, flunarizine and acetylleucine. Betahistine is the best-known agent for the vertigo, tinnitus and hearing symptoms of Ménière's disease. Antihistamines and antiemetics used for acute vertigo belong to other classes.

## Mechanism of action

Betahistine is thought to improve blood flow in the inner ear and reduce the build-up of pressure there; the other members act through different mechanisms.

Target: The inner ear and the vestibular system

## Key points

- Betahistine is used for Ménière's disease: vertigo, tinnitus and hearing loss.
- It is thought to work by improving inner-ear blood flow.
- Antihistamines for allergy and MAOI antidepressants may not mix well with betahistine.
- It may not suit people with asthma, peptic ulcer or low blood pressure.

## Drugs in this class

- [**Betahistine** An oral medicine for Ménière's disease that reduces vertigo, tinnitus and how often attacks happen. Inner-ear circulation (mechanism not fully established)](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/betahistine/)

## Others in the class

- Cinnarizine
- Flunarizine
- Acetylleucine

## Test yourself

Think of the answer, then tap the question to see it.

## Which inner-ear disease is betahistine mainly used for?

Ménière's disease.

## Which two other medicines belong to the WHO antivertigo group?

Cinnarizine and flunarizine (also acetylleucine).

## How is betahistine thought to work?

By improving blood flow in the inner ear and reducing the build-up of pressure.

[Add to my cards (3)](https://durgical.app/estudiar/?add=/en/pharmacology/classes/antivertigo-agents/)

[More Pharmacology questions →](https://durgical.com/en/practice/?f=pharmacology)

[← All of pharmacology](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/)

Educational content on how drugs work; not a prescribing guide and no substitute for a health professional's advice. No doses are given.

Sources: [ATCDDD - ATC/DDD Index](https://atcddd.fhi.no/atc_ddd_index/?code=N07CA) (WHO Collaborating Centre for Drug Statistics Methodology, 2026); [Betahistine: a medicine used to treat Ménière's disease - NHS](https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/betahistine/) (NHS (National Health Service, UK), 2026).

## **Spotted a mistake?** We are always improving for the community. Tell us what is wrong and our team will review it. Report a mistake

Representative model, for educational purposes only.

---
Source: https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/classes/antivertigo-agents/
License: CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Cite as: DurgiPedia (durgical.com), https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/classes/antivertigo-agents/