What Causes Dizziness After Having Gabapentin For Neuropathy?

Posted on Thu, 19 Mar 2015

Question: I've been dizzy for the last 4 days, take Gabapentin 600 mg at night for neuropathy have been on it for 1 yr
never had this reaction before

Answered by Dr. Ivo Ditah (46 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Have you controlled your blood pressure?

Detailed Answer:
Hi and thank you so much for this query.

Seen how long you have taken this medication it is unlikely that the dizziness is related to this. Also, this is not a typical known side effect of gabapentin. I will like to know what your blood pressures are during these periods. I will suggest that you control them and report to me. In the meantime, drink enough fluids and avoid upright positions when dizzy as this may lead to falls with serious consequences.

I hope this helps. I wish you well. Thanks for using our services and feel free to ask for more information and clarifications if need be.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Ivo Ditah (12 minutes later)

I do have high blood pressure and take Losartan 50 mg twice a day. Should I go to Urgent care and get it check?

Answered by Dr. Ivo Ditah (22 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
NO.....No urgent care right now!

Detailed Answer:
Hi and thanks for this follow up.

I will not want you to go to urgent care now. I will rather suggest you get a self monitoring blood pressure machine. That would cost a lot less and would provide the needed results.

Losartan is often taken once a day except in extreme cases. Is that how your doctor recommended and would you want to ask him whether he really wanted it taken twice a day? This may be causing a a great drop in blood pressure that may explain the dizziness.

In all, get a self monitoring machine. report values to me and also make sure your doctor wants this drug for sure twice daily.

I hope this helps. I wish you well

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Ivo Ditah (12 minutes later)

I do have high blood pressure and take Losartan 50 mg twice a day. Should I go to Urgent care and get it check?

Answered by Dr. Ivo Ditah (3 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Urgent care is too much for this now!

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

looking at the cost and all it entails, i would say no. A pharmacy may be a better quick stop to get it checked and buy a self monitoring home machine for yourself. Urgent care would be taking aggressive measures without adequate backings right now.

Thanks

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Ivo Ditah (4 days later)

I have a blood pressure monitor and my results are: Friday 145/82 am 141/68 pm, Monday evening 147/82

Answered by Dr. Ivo Ditah (6 hours later)

Brief Answer:
These are encouraging values!

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

These values are encouraging. Unless something else happens, continue to monitor and stick to your medications.

I wish you well.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Ivo Ditah (16 hours later)

Just returned from seeing my primary doctor, she has referred me to an ENT specialist & a neurologist. It turns out it was not dizziness but a balance problem.
One of these doctors should find the problem.

Thanks, XXXXXXX

Answered by Dr. Ivo Ditah (22 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Thanks for the updates!

Detailed Answer:
Hi and thanks for the updates.

I wish you the best as you navigate through his in search if real solutions. Please, keep me updated.

I wish you well.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar