Which type of medications can lead to dizziness upon standing?

Which type of medications can lead to dizziness upon standing?

• A. Antibiotics
• B. Drugs that lower blood pressure
• C. Antidepressants
• D. Anti-inflammatories

Answer: (B)

Medications that lower blood pressure can indeed lead to dizziness upon standing, a condition known as orthostatic hypotension. This occurs because these medications work to decrease blood pressure, which can result in insufficient blood flow to the brain when a person changes position from sitting or lying down to standing up. The blood vessels normally constrict to maintain blood pressure when a person stands, but if this response is impaired by medication, it can lead to dizziness or lightheadedness. In this context, while other medications such as antidepressants can also cause dizziness as a side effect, they do not primarily induce dizziness specifically related to changes in blood pressure upon standing. Therefore, the focus on medications that have a direct impact on blood pressure regulation makes this the most appropriate choice regarding dizziness experienced with positional changes.

Medications that lower blood pressure can indeed lead to dizziness upon standing, a condition known as orthostatic hypotension. This occurs because these medications work to decrease blood pressure, which can result in insufficient blood flow to the brain when a person changes position from sitting or lying down to standing up. The blood vessels normally constrict to maintain blood pressure when a person stands, but if this response is impaired by medication, it can lead to dizziness or lightheadedness.

In this context, while other medications such as antidepressants can also cause dizziness as a side effect, they do not primarily induce dizziness specifically related to changes in blood pressure upon standing. Therefore, the focus on medications that have a direct impact on blood pressure regulation makes this the most appropriate choice regarding dizziness experienced with positional changes.