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Dizziness And Lightheadedness. Had Taken Z-pak For Ear Infection. Medication Side Effect Or Vertigo?

Posted on Tue, 19 Jun 2012

Question: about a month ago both my ears were giving my slight intermittent ear pain. It was more of a bother than real pain. I visited the doctor and she found fluid in my ears and put me on zpak and said I could have sinusitis. After taking the zpak I started getting vertigo and lightheadedness. I felt completely fine but a bit run down. Few days later I got sick. Fever ...bad head cold...very congested..few days later is all drained...today I'm my nasal passages are almost 100% clear but I'm still draining just a bit when I drink hot liquid. I was not dizzy while I was sick at all so I figured it was over and I was just getting sick. But now that I'm feeling better I'm dizzy again. It's basically all day long. Bloodwork was fine as well.

Answered by Dr. Rakesh Madhyastha (1 hour later)

Hi

Thanks for the query

First of all i would like to clarify that z-pak which contains a drug called azithromycin does not cause dizziness/lightheadedness usually. But your problem per say does (infection of the ear) it was probably a co incidence that your vertigo started the same time as you starting the medications.
This dizziness because of an ear infection lasts upto 6 weeks in some people. There are drugs which can make it stop like beta histadine.

Please use the following precautions

Avoid driving, especially in the night
Avoid listening to loud music
Avoid heights
Do steam inhalations 3 times a day as this will help clean out your sinuses
Avoid cold weather and water entering into your ear

I Hope I have answered your query. Please accept my answer in case you do not have further queries.

Note: Consult an experienced Otolaryngologist / ENT Specialist online for further follow up on ear, nose, and throat issues - Book a Call now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T