Acetyl-leucine may help dizziness, vertigo and migraines

Acetyl-leucine (Tanganil) is an amino acid that has been available in France for over 60 years as a prescription drug. It is approved for the treatment of low blood pressure and dizziness. However, there are no published studies of this product for either low blood pressure or dizziness. There are some animal studies suggesting that acetyl-leucine works on brain cells responsible for the balancing of the body and motor control. It was also tested in animals whose inner ear balancing organ was destroyed on one side.

A group of German doctors, whom I know and respect, found it to be very effective in a prospective study of 10 patients with migraines. The dose was 5 grams daily. The usual recommended dose for dizziness and hypotension is up to 2 grams.

I occasionally recommend it to desperate patients with severe and persistent dizziness and vertigo that has resulted from a concussion or vestibular migraine.

While acetyl-leucine is not proven to be effective, it does not cause any side effects.

Acetyl-leucine is also being tested for some rare hereditary neurological disorders such as Niemann-Pick disease.