Patient education: Managing dizziness from your medicines (The Basics)

What is dizziness? — 

Dizziness can feel different to different people. For example, you might feel lightheaded or like you will pass out. You might have trouble walking straight or feel like you are about to fall.

Which medicines can cause dizziness? — 

Dizziness is a common side effect of many medicines. Some medicines cause dizziness because they affect blood pressure, blood sugar, or how much fluid is in the body. Dizziness can get worse if you take multiple medicines or drink alcohol.

You might have problems with dizziness if you take medicines to treat conditions like:

●High blood pressure or heart problems

●Diabetes

●Infection

●Depression or anxiety

●Autoimmune problems

●Cancer

●Seizures

●Pain

Tell your doctor or nurse about your dizziness and any other side effects. Do not stop taking any medicine without talking to them first. In some cases, the dizziness might go away once your body gets used to the medicine.

You can ask your doctor if there is another medicine that is less likely to cause dizziness. You might be able to take smaller doses more often. Or you might be able to take your medicine at night instead of during the day. This can lower your chance of feeling dizzy and might lower your chance of falling.

What can I do on my own to help with dizziness? — 

You can try these things:

●Stand up slowly, and give your body time to adjust. This is especially important when you get out of bed in the morning. Start by sitting up and waiting a moment. Then, swing your legs over the side of the bed and wait some more. When you do stand up, make sure you have something to hold onto in case you start to feel dizzy.

●Unless your doctor told you to limit fluids, drink plenty of water to help keep your blood pressure up.

●Move your legs often if you need to sit or stand in 1 position for a long time.

●Sit or lie down with your feet up if you feel dizzy or like you might faint. Take extra care to protect yourself from falls.

●If you feel faint, do not drive a car, operate machines, or place yourself where you could be harmed if you fall. Talk with your doctor about when it is safe to drive, work, and go back to your normal activities.

●Use "assistive devices" such as a cane, a walker, or a wheelchair to help you get around safely if you are feeling dizzy.

●Ask your doctor if there are exercises that might help with your dizziness.

When should I call the doctor? — 

Call for emergency help right away (in the US and Canada, call 9-1-1) if you:

●Have new weakness in your arms or legs

●Have trouble breathing, speaking, swallowing, seeing, or hearing

●Have chest pain or an irregular heartbeat

●Have a seizure

●Cannot walk or stand because of dizziness

Call for advice if:

●You have a fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher, chills, or a wound that will not heal.

●Your dizziness continues for a long time or gets worse.

More on this topic

Patient education: Side effects from medicines (The Basics)
Patient education: Managing low blood pressure from your medicines (The Basics)
Patient education: Managing higher risk of falls from your medicines (The Basics)
Patient education: Preventing falls in adults (The Basics)
Patient education: How to use a cane (The Basics)
Patient education: How to use a walker (The Basics)