9 Medications That Can Cause Vertigo

If you’ve ever felt like you or the room were spinning when everything was still, vertigo could be to blame. Vertigo affects up to 30% of the population, and there are several causes — including certain medications. Here, we’ll take a look at nine types of medications that can cause vertigo.

1. Antiseizure medications

Antiseizure medications can often cause vertigo and dizziness as a side effect. Examples include:

• Carbamazepine (Tegretol)

• Lacosamide (Vimpat)

• Lamotrigine (Lamictal)

• Oxcarbazepine (Trileptal)

• Clobazam (Onfi)

Your prescriber may start you with a low dose of these medications and raise it slowly to help reduce vertigo symptoms. Your body may also adjust to this side effect over time. But if it doesn’t improve or becomes bothersome, let your prescriber know. Just don’t stop taking your medication on your own — doing so can lead to more frequent or worse seizures.

2. Antibiotics and antifungals

Antibiotics and antifungals help treat certain infections and may cause vertigo as a side effect. In some cases, such as with aminoglycosides and macrolides, this may be a result of ototoxicity (inner ear damage) caused by the antibiotic. In others, such as with fluoroquinolones, it may be caused by how the anti-infective medication affects the central nervous system.

Antibiotics that may cause vertigo as a side effect include:

• Ciprofloxacin (Cipro)

• Levofloxacin

• Clarithromycin (Biaxin XL)

• Erythromycin (Ery-Tab, E.E.S.)

• Azithromycin (Zithromax)

• Tobramycin (Tobi)

• Amikacin

Certain antifungals have also been linked with vertigo, including:

• Amphotericin B

• Flucytosine (Ancobon)

• Itraconazole (Sporanox)

• Fluconazole (Diflucan)

Vertigo isn’t a common side effect of anti-infective medications. It’s more likely with high doses or prolonged treatment. But if you experience vertigo, ringing in the ear (tinnitus), or hearing problems while taking one of these medications, let your prescriber know.

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3. Diuretics

Diuretics, also known as water pills, are commonly used to remove extra fluid in the body. This is helpful for treating conditions such as high blood pressure and heart failure. Diuretics are sometimes used off-label to treat vertigo caused by Meniere’s disease. But some diuretics may also cause vertigo in some cases.

One diuretic that’s been associated with vertigo is hydrochlorothiazide. It isn’t clear why this happens, but researchers think it has to do with electrolyte changes in the ear. Excess fluid loss may also play a role.

Vertigo is also a reported side effect for other diuretics, such as:

• Bumetanide (Bumex)

• Chlorthalidone (Thalitone)

• Ethacrynic acid (Edecrin)

• Furosemide (Lasix)

Your risk of experiencing vertigo might be higher if you’re taking higher doses of your diuretic or living with kidney problems. Vertigo may also be a sign that your blood pressure is too low. If you experience vertigo while taking a diuretic, let your prescriber know. They can help determine the cause and the best next steps.

4. NSAIDs and acetaminophen

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and acetaminophen (Tylenol) are commonly used to relieve pain and fever. Some examples of NSAIDs include ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn), and aspirin. 

Most people don’t experience side effects when taking these medications at recommended doses. But they can cause damage to the inner ear in rare cases, especially at high doses or with frequent use. This can lead to symptoms such as vertigo and hearing loss.

One study found that regular use of NSAIDs and acetaminophen was associated with a higher risk of hearing loss in men. And a separate study in women showed similar results. In both studies, the risk increased with longer use.

To reduce your risk of ear damage and vertigo, only take NSAIDs or acetaminophen for the shortest amount of time needed to relieve your symptoms. If you experience vertigo or hearing problems, contact a healthcare professional right away.

5. Proton pump inhibitors

Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) reduce stomach acid to treat chronic acid reflux and stomach ulcers. Examples include:

• Omeprazole (Prilosec)

• Pantoprazole (Protonix)

• Esomeprazole (Nexium)

• Lansoprazole (Prevacid)

Vertigo is a reported side effect of most PPIs, although it isn’t common. The risk of vertigo seems to be higher with long-term use of PPIs.

It isn’t clear why PPIs may cause vertigo. But to lower your risk, only take your PPI for the shortest amount of time needed to treat your condition. Check in with your prescriber regularly to see if you still need to take it. And let them know if you experience vertigo during treatment.

6. Antidepressants and antipsychotics

Antidepressant and antipsychotic medications can help treat vertigo in some cases. And vertigo often occurs along with other mental health conditions. But these medications may also cause vertigo for some people.

Antidepressant medications aim to balance chemicals in the brain, such as serotonin. But changes in serotonin levels and other side effects of these medications may lead to balance problems and vertigo. Antidepressants such as mirtazapine (Remeron), tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs), and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) have all been associated with vertigo.

Antipsychotic medications can also cause dizziness and vertigo. Examples include:

• Clozapine (Clozaril)

• Haloperidol (Haldol)

• Lithium (Lithobid)

• Aripiprazole (Abilify)

• Olanzapine (Zyprexa)

• Quetiapine (Seroquel)

Vertigo caused by a mental health medication may improve as your body adjusts to the medication. But if it worsens or doesn’t improve, let your prescriber know. You may need a lower dosage or a different medication.

Good to know: Suddenly stopping your antidepressant or antipsychotic medication may lead to vertigo and other withdrawal symptoms. If you need to stop taking your medication, your prescriber can help you slowly lower your dose until it’s safe to stop it completely.

7. Blood pressure medications

Blood pressure medications can help keep your blood pressure in a healthy range. This helps prevent kidney damage, stroke, and heart disease. High blood pressure can lead to vertigo on its own. But some blood pressure medications can also cause this side effect.

Vertigo caused by blood pressure medications can have several causes. It may be caused by low blood pressure. It may also be a result of decreased blood flow to the ear.

Vertigo seems to be more likely with the following types of blood pressure medications:

• Calcium channel blockers

• Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors

• Angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs)

• Hydralazine

The risk of vertigo is higher if you’re taking more than one blood pressure medication at a time. It’s normal to feel dizzy the first few days after starting treatment or raising your dose. But vertigo should go away as your body adjusts to the treatment. If you experience vertigo that’s severe or not getting better after a few days, contact your prescriber.

8. Parkinson’s disease medications

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a condition caused by low dopamine levels in the brain. PD may cause vertigo on its own. But certain medications that help manage symptoms of PD can also cause vertigo for some people. Examples include bromocriptine (Parlodel) and carbidopa / levodopa (Sinemet).

It’s common to experience dizziness or vertigo when taking these medications, especially when changing positions, such as sitting up or standing. These side effects may improve over time. But if they don’t improve or become bothersome, let your prescriber know. They may need to adjust your dosage or medication.

9. Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy medications are used to treat cancer. People receiving platinum-based chemotherapy medications, such as cisplatin and carboplatin (Paraplatin), have reported vertigo as a side effect. This is likely due to inner ear damage caused by the medication.

Your cancer care team will likely monitor any side effects you experience during chemotherapy treatment. But be sure to let them know if you experience vertigo or any other signs of inner ear damage, such as hearing loss or ringing in your ears, at any point. They may need to adjust your dosage or medication as a result.

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Written by:

Kristianne Hannemann, PharmD

Kristianne Hannemann, PharmD, is a licensed pharmacist in California. She has been a retail pharmacy manager and staff pharmacist for over 7 years and has contributed drug information content to different health companies.

Edited by:

Stacia Woodcock, PharmD

Stacia Woodcock, PharmD, is a pharmacy editor for GoodRx. She earned her Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the University of Kentucky and is licensed in New York and Massachusetts.

Reviewed by:

Austin Ulrich, PharmD, BCACP

​​Austin Ulrich, PharmD, BCACP, is a board-certified ambulatory care clinical pharmacist. Ulrich’s experience includes direct patient care in hospital and community pharmacies.

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