Steroid is effective for vestibular neuritis, valacyclovir is not

doi:10.1136/bmj.329.7477.0-f

BMJ 2004;329 (27 November), doi:10.1136/bmj.329.7477.0-f

Filler

POEM^*

Steroid is effective for vestibular neuritis, valacyclovir is not

The first 150 words of the full text of this article appear below.

Question Which is more effective for vestibular neuritis, valacycloviror methylprednisolone?

Synopsis Vestibular neuritis is characterised by sustained rotatoryvertigo, positive Romberg's sign falling toward the affectedear, horizontal nystagmus toward the unaffected ear, and nausea.Because vestibular neuritis is thought to be a virally triggeredinflammatory condition, it makes sense that antiviral drugsor steroids may be helpful. These authors identified 141 adultspresenting to two German emergency departments with vestibularneuritis diagnosed after a detailed clinical examination. Theythen randomised the patients (allocation concealed) to one offour groups: placebo only, methylprednisolone (MP), valacyclovir,or both. MP was initially given in a dose of 100 mg each morningfor three days and then tapered slowly to 10 mg over three weeks.Valacyclovir was given as 100 mg three times a day for one week.All patients were also given 150 mg pirenzepine to reduce gastricacid secretion, and . . . [Full text of this article]