Does Effexor cause vertigo? (3+ findings)
By
Dr Milena Locci de Oliveira (PhD)
Author bio
Dr Milena Locci de Oliveira is a Pharmacist and Doctor of Philosophy in Sciences from the University of São Paulo (USP). She has experience in microbiology, analytical toxicology, and clinical pharmacokinetics. She writes and reviews content on these topics.
Dr Milena’s Highlights:
-PhD in Sciences, University of São Paulo, Brazil, 2019.
-University College London (UCL) – Semester of remote collaboration in the areas of Pharmacometrics and Population Pharmacokinetics, 2018.
-Bachelor in Biochemical Pharmacy, University of São Paulo, Brazil, 2013.
“Science can be translated, and it is essential that everyone has access to quality information to make informed decisions” – Dr Milena Oliveira, PhD.
Professional Experience:
With a decade-long career as a researcher, Dr Milena has amassed extensive experience in conducting research projects in microbiology, analytical toxicology, and clinical pharmacokinetics.
Her expertise also extends to the preparation of technical and scientific reports, literature reviews, data analysis, and scientific communication, both oral and written.
Dr Milena has served as a Clinical Pharmacist, providing expert supervision and guidance to teams during the challenging times of the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly in the ICUs of two reference hospitals for patient hospitalization.
In her most recent role, Dr Milena worked on the implementation of the deliberatives of the São Paulo State Government Pharmaceutical Assistance Coordination. These decisions were aimed at ensuring medication access within the Unified Health System.
A widely multidisciplinary background enabled Dr Milena to become a professional capable of integrating scientific knowledge into private initiatives, education, and healthcare, delivering consistent services in patient safety and population health.
Professional Memberships & Affiliations:
Dr Milena Oliveira is a member of the Regional Council of Pharmacy of the State of São Paulo, Brazil.
Education:
-PhD in Sciences, University of São Paulo, Brazil, 2019.
-University College London (UCL) – Semester of remote collaboration, 2018.
-Bachelor in Biochemical Pharmacy, University of São Paulo, Brazil, 2013.
Relevant Published Work & Citations:
Oliveira ML de, Rocha A, Nardotto GHB, Pippa LF, Simões BP, Lanchote VL. Analysis of daunorubicin and its metabolite daunorubicinol in plasma and urine with application in the evaluation of total, renal and metabolic formation clearances in patients with acute myeloid leukemia. Journal of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Analysis. Nov 2020. 191:113-124.
Abstracts. CPT: Pharmacometrics & Systems Pharmacology. 2020 Nov; 9 (S1).
Pippa LF, Oliveira ML de, Rocha A, de Andrade JM, Lanchote VL. Total, renal and hepatic clearances of doxorubicin and formation clearance of doxorubicinol in patients with breast cancer: Estimation of doxorubicin hepatic extraction ratio. Journal of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Analysis. 2020 Jun 5; 185:113-231.
Godoy ALPC, De Jesus C, De Oliveira ML, Rocha A, Pereira MPM, Larangeira DF, Lanchote VL, Barrouin-Melo SM. Determination of Allopurinol and Oxypurinol in Dogs Plasma by High-Performance Liquid Chromatography with an Ultraviolet Detector: Application for Pharmacokinetic Studies. J Chromatogr Sep Tech. 2017; 8 (4).
Clímaco EC, Oliveira ML de, Pitondo-Silva A, Oliveira MG, Medeiros M, Lincopan N, et al. Clonal complexes 104, 109 and 113 playing a major role in the dissemination of OXA-carbapenemase-producing Acinetobacter baumannii in Southeast Brazil. Infection, Genetics and Evolution. 2013 Oct;19:127–33.
Conference Papers:
Oliveira, M. L.; NARDOTTO, G. H. B.; PIPPA, L. F.; ROCHA, A.; SIMOES, B. P.; LANCHOTE, V. L. . Daunorubicin metabolism and urinary excretion in patients with acute myeloid leukemia. In: 84th Annual Meeting of the German Society for Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology (DGPT) and the 20th Annual Meeting of the Association of the Clinical Pharmacology Germany (VKliPha), 2018, Göttingen. Naunyn-Schmiedeberg’s Arch Pharmacol, 2018. v. 391. p. S76-S76.
Oliveira, M. L.; NARDOTTO, G. H. B. ; ROCHA, A. ; SIMOES, B. P. ; LANCHOTE, V. L. . The low contribution of urinary excretion in the elimination of daunorubicin and its metabolite daunorubicinol in patients with acute myeloid leukemia. In: 49th Brazilian Congress of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics., 2017, Ribeirão Preto. Livro de Resumos, 2017. p. 64-64.
Oliveira, M. L.; PIPPA, L. F. ; ROCHA, A. ; SIMOES, B. P. ; LANCHOTE, V. L. . Quantification of daunorubicin and its metabolite daunorubicinol in human plasma by LC-MS/MS. In: I International Meeting of Environmental Health and Toxicology (IMEHTOX), 2016, Ribeirão Preto. Livro de Resumos, 2016.
Oliveira, M. L.; Clímaco, E.C. ; OLIVEIRA, M. G. ; Lincopan, N. ; Darini A.L.C. . PFGE typing of Carbapenem-Resistant Acinetobacter baumannii isolated from different University Hospitals. In: V International Postgraduate and Research Symposium, 2012.
Clímaco, E.C. ; SILVA, A. P. ; Oliveira, M. L. ; OLIVEIRA, M. G. ; Lincopan, N. ; Darini A.L.C. Relação clonal entre linhagens de Acinetobacter baumannii produtoras de carbapenemases da família OXA em quatro hospitais no Brasil. In: XXI Latin American Congress of Microbiology, 2012, Santos. XXI Latin American Congress of Microbiology, 2012.
Oliveira, M. L.; Clímaco, E.C. ; OLIVEIRA, M. G. ; Darini A.L.C. . Dissemintion of OXA carbapenemases genes in carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii in University Hospital of Juiz de Fora, MG. In: 8th CIFARP – International Congress of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2011, Ribeirão Preto.
Clímaco, E.C. ; Oliveira, M. L. ; OLIVEIRA, M. G. ; Darini A.L.C. . Avaliação do sequenciamento parcial do gene rpoB e de seus flanqueadores para identificação de espécies de Acinetobacter na rotina laroratorial. In: 2° International Symposium on Clinical Microbiology, 2010, Florianópolis.
You can view some of Dr Milena’s work below and links to her professional profile.
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dra-milena-locci-de-oliveira-28986042/?locale=en_US
ResearchGate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Milena-Oliveira-6
Escavador: https://www.escavador.com/sobre/5394254/milena-locci-de-oliveira
Lattes: https://buscatextual.cnpq.br/buscatextual/busca.do
Scopus: https://www.scopus.com/authid/detail.uri?authorId=57199779361
Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?view_op=list_works&hl=pt-BR&user=1YUBDIQAAAAJ
This article will address a number of topics, including whether or not Effexor can cause vertigo, research findings that support this association, factors contributing to Effexor-induced vertigo, and tips and recommendations for managing vertigo while taking Effexor.
Does Effexor cause vertigo?
Yes, Effexor can cause vertigo. There are several patients who have reported experiencing vertigo while taking Effexor. Vertigo is a dizzying feeling that can make it hard for you to stay balanced. Effexor can make you feel dizzy while standing up. (1)
The mechanism of action of Effexor in increasing the serotonin concentration in the brain can lead to the side effects of vertigo because serotonin is a neurotransmitter that is involved in awareness and balance. Excess serotonin concentration can lead to balance and awareness disorders.
It is crucial to remember that individuals respond differently to medications and that not everyone using Effexor will have vertigo. Consult your physician if you have symptoms of vertigo while taking Effexor so that they can reduce your dosage or take the appropriate action.
What does research suggest?
While the research is inconclusive, there are some cases that suggest Effexor may be associated with vertigo in some people. According to research, vertigo (dizziness) has been documented as a minor adverse effect in a small number of Effexor users.
Numerous research have been conducted on the connection between Effexor and dizziness or vertigo symptoms. According to some research, Effexor can help patients with VM (vestibular migraines) lessen the frequency and severity of their vertigo symptoms.
Venlafaxine (the active ingredient of Effexor) has been shown to lessen the swelling of the inner ear that can cause vertigo. (2)
It is crucial to remember that dizziness or vertigo are common side effects of several drugs. Other antidepressants such as citalopram can also cause vertigo. Contact your healthcare provider if you experience vertigo while taking Effexor. They can assist you in determining whether the vertigo is due to Effexor or whether there is another possible cause.
What factors can contribute to Effexor-induced vertigo?
There are several factors that can contribute to Effexor-induced vertigo, some of which include:
Medication dosage. higher doses of Effexor could induce vertigo symptoms.
Age. Older people are more prone to vertigo than younger people due to poor blood circulation.
Concomitant medications. Effexor can interact with several drugs such as antihypertensive medications, certain antibiotics, and antihistamines. These drug interactions can induce vertigo.
Underlying medical conditions. Inner ear diseases such as tinnitus, headaches, and neurological diseases can induce vertigo symptoms while taking Effexor. (3)
What are the suitable recommendations for managing vertigo while taking Effexor?
There are suitable recommendations and tips that can help you manage vertigo while taking Effexor such as: (3), (4)
- Keep the dosage of Effexor in your body constant by taking it at the same exact time every day.
- If you decide to discontinue Effexor, gradually taper your dose to avoid Effexor’s withdrawal symptoms (Vertigo is one of Effexor’s withdrawal symptoms).
- Steer clear of abrupt position changes and move slowly when you’re standing or sitting down.
- Steer clear of environments that can cause vertigo such as crowded areas, loud-noise areas, and heights.
- Practice VRT (vestibular rehabilitation exercises). They are shown to be effective in enhancing balance and reducing vertigo symptoms. (5)
- Drink plenty of water and get enough sleep.
If your vertigo symptoms persist, contact your healthcare provider so that they can reduce your Effexor dose or switch your medication to one with fewer adverse effects.
Conclusion
My understanding and studies indicate that certain people may experience vertigo when using Effexor. All individuals, however, are unique from one another. Other people’s vertigo symptoms can be alleviated with Effexor. Consult your healthcare provider if you experience vertigo while taking Effexor and heed their advice to reduce the symptoms.
Was this helpful?
References
1.-
NHS. Side effects of venlafaxine [Internet]. nhs.uk. 2022. Available from: https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/venlafaxine/side-effects-of-venlafaxine/
2.-
Liu F, Ma T, Che X, Wang Q, Yu S. The Efficacy of Venlafaxine, Flunarizine, and Valproic Acid in the Prophylaxis of Vestibular Migraine. Frontiers in Neurology. 2017 Oct 11;8. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5641552/
3.-
NHS. Vertigo [Internet]. nhs.uk. 2017. Available from: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/vertigo/
4.-
Metzger GK. Vertigo [Internet]. WebMD. WebMD; 2012. Available from: https://www.webmd.com/brain/vertigo-symptoms-causes-treatment
5.-
Vestibular Rehabilitation [Internet]. Cleveland Clinic. Available from: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/15298-vestibular-rehabilitation
Find a supportive therapist who can help with Depression.
Discover the convenience of BetterHelp, an online therapy platform connecting you with licensed and accredited therapists specialized in addressing issues such as depression, anxiety, relationships, and more. Complete the assessment and find your ideal therapist within just 48 hours.
AskYourPharm is user-supported. We may earn a commission if you sign up for BetterHelp’s services after clicking through from this site
