There are many medications that can cause dizziness. While antibiotics are often the cause, there are many classes of medications that can cause dizziness or dizziness.
1. What is dizziness?
THE vertigo is a sensation of dizziness, of pitching, an erroneous vision of space which gives an impression of movement. Dizziness is a very common symptom. According to the Department of Community Medicine, Primary Care and Emergency at Geneva Hospitals, dizziness affects 20 to 30% of patients aged 18 to 64. Dizziness can be of peripheral or central origin, but in most cases, dizziness is of peripheral origin. Dizziness can thus be linked to peripheral otoneurological problems, such as Ménière’s disease, vestibular neuritis or benign paroxysmal vertigo, or to central neurological problems such as basilar migraine, or to autoimmune diseases such as sclerosis. in plates. They can also be linked to cardiovascular problems.
Sometimes certain medications, called ototoxic drugs, can cause hearing problems and dizziness. These side effects are linked to different factors, namely the type of medication used (not all medications cause dizziness), the quantity of medication used, the patient’s history, polypharmacy or even the presence of liver or kidney pathologies. example. The time it takes for dizziness to appear linked to the consumption of a medication varies from one person to another and can take a few hours or a few days, as specified by the RFCRPV (French Network of Regional Pharmacovigilance Centers).
Among the hearing disorders that certain medications can cause, sensorineural deafness represents hearing disorders which are linked to damage to the auditory nerve or the cochlea and which are generally accompanied by dizziness. Finally, it is also important not to confuse the symptoms. Certain medications can cause drops in blood pressure (then associated with loss of consciousness), but these are not medications that can cause dizziness or feelings of dizziness.
2. What medications can cause dizziness?
Many medications can cause hearing problems and dizziness. There are several families of medications that can induce dizziness.
- First of all, medication anti-inflammatories non-steroidal, which are prescribed to treat pain and inflammation, can sometimes cause dizziness. This is particularly the case for anti-inflammatory drugs called coxibs, which are prescribed to combat osteoarthritis and rheumatological pain.
- Many anti-infectives, including antibiotics (aminoglycosides, macrolides), can cause ototoxicity and dizziness. Quinine and chloroquine, drugs used to treat malaria, can also cause feelings of dizziness or pitching, and tinnitus.
- Some anti-cancer drugs, such as cisplatin (antineoplastic) or paclitaxel (anti-microtubule agent), can cause dizziness. The Surdi13 association also specifies that the cisplatin is the most ototoxic drug.
- Many medications psychotropic drugs (medications used to treat mental disorders), such as lithium, benzodiazepines or even levetiracetam, can have significant side effects and cause balance disorders.
3. Can topical medications also cause dizziness?
While many medications taken systemically can cause damage to the inner ear and therefore hearing loss or dizziness, so-called local medications can also cause feelings of dizziness.
- THE ear drops must therefore be used with caution. Indeed, ear drops containing anti-inflammatories, antiseptics or even antibiotics such as aminoglycosides are likely to generate strong toxicity in the ear and cause dizziness. Before using these drops, it is therefore imperative to check whether the eardrum is not damaged in order to avoid any side effects.
- THE local antiseptics such as lidocaine or bupivacaine can also cause dizziness in some people. In all cases, it is imperative to consult your doctor at the slightest sign of ototoxicity.
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