TITLE:
Recognition and Management of Clarithromycin-Induced Non-Vertiginous Dizziness in an Elderly Patient with Pertussis
AUTHORS:
Enoch Chi Ngai Lim, Chi Eung Danforn Lim
KEYWORDS:
Clarithromycin, Side Effects, Dizziness
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Biosciences and Medicines,
Vol.13 No.9,
September
11,
2025
ABSTRACT: An 85-year-old woman developed persistent mild dizziness without vertigo three days after starting clarithromycin 500 mg twice daily for serology-confirmed pertussis. The dizziness did not improve with prochlorperazine and fully resolved within three days of switching to betahistine. Diagnostic workup was unremarkable, including a normal electrocardiogram (with no QT prolongation) and normal basic laboratory tests. In the absence of other causes, clarithromycin was implicated as the likely cause of the patient’s dizziness. This case illustrates a rare but important adverse effect of clarithromycin in an older patient, and highlights the need to recognize drug-induced dizziness, differentiate it from other etiologies, and manage it appropriately to ensure both effective treatment of the infection and patient safety.