title: Vertigo/dizziness as a Drugs' adverse reaction.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Vertigo, dizziness, and nausea encompass a spectrum of balance-related symptoms caused by a variety of etiologies. Balance is affected by many systems: Proprioceptive pathways and visual, cerebellar, vestibulocochlear, and vascular / vasovagal systems. Vertigo is a subtype of dizziness, in which a subject, as a result to a dysfunction of the vestibular system, improperly experiments the perception of motion. The most useful clinical subdivision is to categorize vertigo into true vertigo and pseudovertigo, whereas from a pathophysiological point of view, vertigo can be classified into central, peripheral, and psychogenic. It is not easy to identify the cause of vertigo since the patients often are not able to precisely describe their symptoms. An impressive list of drugs may cause vertigo or dizziness.
  
  
  METHODS
  The aim of the present study was to analyze the data extracted from the reporting cards of the ADRs (adverse drug reactions), received at our Pharmacovigilance Regional Center (Calabria, Italy) in 2012. In particular, the data concerning the occurrence of vertigo and dizziness, after taking certain classes of drugs, have been considered.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Our results show that, among the side-effects of different classes of drugs such as anti-convulsants, anti-hypertensives, antibiotics, anti-depressants, anti-psychotics, and anti-inflammatory, also vertigo or dizziness are included.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Spontaneous reports of vertigo or dizziness, as side-effect of certain drugs, received at our Pharmacovigilance Center, represented the 5% of all reports in 2012. Considering the high incidence of such an ADR for several drugs' classes, it can be speculated that under-reporting also affect vertigo and dizziness. Despite the fact that these ADRs might not represent a direct threaten for life, indirectly they can cause secondary damage to patients such as falls, fractures etc. Balance should be accurately monitored during drug use and particularly in fragile patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Science of Health, School of Medicine, University of Catanzaro, Italy and Pharmacovigilance's Center Calabria Region, University Hospital Mater Domini, Catanzaro, Italy.
authors.forename: Serafina
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Chimirri
authors.affiliation: Department of Science of Health, School of Medicine, University of Catanzaro, Italy and Pharmacovigilance's Center Calabria Region, University Hospital Mater Domini, Catanzaro, Italy.
authors.forename: Rossana
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Aiello
authors.affiliation: Department of Science of Health, School of Medicine, University of Catanzaro, Italy and Pharmacovigilance's Center Calabria Region, University Hospital Mater Domini, Catanzaro, Italy.
authors.forename: Carmela
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Mazzitello
authors.affiliation: Department of Science of Health, School of Medicine, University of Catanzaro, Italy and Pharmacovigilance's Center Calabria Region, University Hospital Mater Domini, Catanzaro, Italy.
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Mumoli
authors.affiliation: Department of Science of Health, School of Medicine, University of Catanzaro, Italy and Pharmacovigilance's Center Calabria Region, University Hospital Mater Domini, Catanzaro, Italy.
authors.forename: Caterina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Palleria
authors.affiliation: Pharmacy Unit, Bianco-Melacrino-Morelli Hospital, Reggio Calabria, Italy.
authors.forename: Mariolina
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Altomonte
authors.affiliation: Department of Science of Health, School of Medicine, University of Catanzaro, Italy and Pharmacovigilance's Center Calabria Region, University Hospital Mater Domini, Catanzaro, Italy.
authors.forename: Rita
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Citraro
authors.affiliation: Department of Science of Health, School of Medicine, University of Catanzaro, Italy and Pharmacovigilance's Center Calabria Region, University Hospital Mater Domini, Catanzaro, Italy.
authors.forename: Giovambattista
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: De Sarro
keywords: ADRs; dizziness; drugs; pharmacovigilance; reporting cards