INTRODUCTION: Vertigo is the illusion of motion and as patients age it becomes an increasingly common complaint. Effective symptomatic treatment of chronic and recurrent vertigo remains a difficult therapeutic challenge. Piracetam has been reported to relieve vertigo of both central and peripheral origin. It is a nootropic agent that improves higher cerebral integrative functions and is without sedative or psychostimulant properties.
OBJECTIVE: To describe and assess the evidence from RCTs on the efficacy and tolerability of piracetam among patients with vertigo.
METHODS: This meta-analysis included three RCTs. Comparisons were performed according to intenttreat principle. Data were run through the Comprehensive Meta-analysis software and standard differences in means were determined.
RESULTS: A total of 223 adult patients were included. Treatment tolerability was similar in both piracetam and placebo. Over-all assessment showed a significant favorable outcome among subjects treated with piracetam for the symptomatic relief of vertigo (CI 95%).
CONCLUSION: Piracetam provides symptomatic relief of vertigo among adult patients and is well tolerated and relatively free from adverse events. It diminished the number of exacerbations and improved the background symptoms between episodes and was relevant both in vertigo of central origin and in peripheral vestibular disorders.