TL;DR: Some medications can cause dizziness, vertigo, tinnitus, or imbalance. If you suspect a medication is contributing to your symptoms, review your medications with your pharmacist or healthcare provider.
A patient recently asked me an important question about medications and dizziness.
They had learned about ototoxicity (when certain medications may affect the ears or balance system) and wondered whether a common over-the-counter medication could be contributing to symptoms like dizziness, tinnitus, or hearing changes.
After stopping a medication they had been taking, they noticed a surprising improvement in their dizziness and asked:
“What can I take that doesn’t have ototoxic side effects?”
Can Medications Cause Dizziness and Vertigo?
My thoughts?
You are really onto something.
People can respond very differently to medications. Not everyone experiences the most common side effects, which can make medication-related dizziness difficult to recognize and predict.
How Medications Can Affect the Vestibular System
Medication side effects are actually a very common hidden cause of dizziness, vertigo, tinnitus, and imbalance.
Many people don’t realize that medications, including over-the-counter products, can sometimes affect the vestibular (balance) system, hearing system, or nervous system. And while prescribing providers may discuss major risks, medication side effects related to dizziness or balance aren’t always reviewed in detail.
Read Article: Medications for Dizziness and Vertigo
That means some patients may not immediately connect their symptoms to something in their medicine cabinet.
What Should You Do If You Suspect Medication-Related Dizziness?
This does not mean you should abruptly stop medications on your own. But if you suspect a medication could be contributing to dizziness, tinnitus, imbalance, or hearing symptoms, it’s worth having a conversation with a healthcare provider.
Since dizziness can describe several different sensations, such as lightheadedness, vertigo, and disequilibrium, identifying exactly what you are experiencing can help narrow down potential causes. To learn about this difference between dizziness and vertigo, click here.
Which Medications and Supplements Should You Review?
My suggestion is to review all medications and supplements with your pharmacist or primary care provider. This includes:
- Prescription medications
- Over-the-counter medications
- Pain relievers
- Sleep aids
- Allergy medications
- Vitamins, herbs, and supplements
- Eye drops, ear drops, nasal sprays, inhalants, injectables, suppositories, and skin creams
Why a Medication Review Can Help Identify the Cause of Dizziness
A pharmacist can often be an excellent resource for identifying potential medication-related side effects, interactions, or safer alternatives to discuss with your healthcare provider.
Don’t Overlook Medications as a Cause of Dizziness
The bottom line?
If your dizziness, vertigo, tinnitus, or imbalance seems mysterious or persistent, don’t overlook your medication list. Sometimes the missing clue is hiding in plain sight.
Medication side effects can be an overlooked contributor to dizziness or vertigo, particularly when multiple medications or drug interactions are involved.
I discuss this topic further in Chapter 2 of my book, “Navigating the Health Care System as a Dizzy Patient,” because medication side effects are one of the most common hidden contributors to dizziness symptoms that I see in practice.
If you’re struggling with persistent dizziness, vertigo, or imbalance and not getting clear answers, request a consultation to explore possible root causes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can medications cause dizziness?
Yes. Some prescription medications, over-the-counter medications, and supplements can cause dizziness, vertigo, imbalance, tinnitus, or other symptoms that affect the vestibular or nervous system.
What medications can cause dizziness?
Many different types of medications can potentially cause dizziness or balance problems, including some pain relievers, sleep aids, allergy medications, blood pressure medications, and other prescription drugs. The risk varies depending on the specific medication, dose, other medications being taken, and individual factors.
Should I stop taking a medication if it causes dizziness?
No. You should not abruptly stop a prescribed medication unless instructed to do so by a qualified healthcare professional. If you suspect a medication is contributing to dizziness, discuss your symptoms and complete medication list with your pharmacist or prescribing provider.
Disclaimer
This blog is provided for informational and educational purposes only. The content and any comments by Dr. Kim Bell, DPT are not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. The details of any case mentioned in this post represent a typical patient that Dr. Bell might see and do not describe the circumstances of a specific individual.
