OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: The objective of this study was to determine whether glycopyrrolate is useful as a vestibular suppressant in patients with Meniere's disease. The tested hypotheses were that glycopyrrolate would decrease the perception of dizziness measured by the Dizziness Handicap Inventory in patients with Meniere's disease and that placebo would cause no such decrease.STUDY DESIGN: Randomized, prospective.METHODS: Thirty-seven subjects with a diagnosis of Meniere's disease were administered either 2 mg of glycopyrrolate or placebo twice daily as needed for vertigo. All were also administered the regimen of 1500 mg sodium/day diet and diuretic. The following indices were examined: Dizziness Handicap Inventory, Tinnitus Handicap Inventory, Modified Somatic Perception Questionnaire, Beck Depression Inventory, hearing examination, and electronystagmography. After 4 to 6 weeks of the drug regimen, Dizziness Handicap Inventory, Tinnitus Handicap Inventory, Modified Somatic Perception Questionnaire, and Beck Depression Scale were reexamined. Paired t tests were performed to verify the significance of improvement before and after treatment.RESULTS: Subjects who received glycopyrrolate had statistically significant reduction in Dizziness Handicap Inventory, Beck Depression Score, and Modified Somatic Perception Score. In the placebo group, no improvement in any index was found.CONCLUSIONS: The hypothesis that glycopyrrolate is a useful vestibular suppressant in patients with Meniere's disease was statistically verified.
Adult Aged