Rinvoq and Dizziness: What Users Say

• JJs...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 22, 2021

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "I've tried nearly every RA medicine under the sun. In the spring of 2020, I was put on Rinvoq. Within a week of taking Rinvoq, the swelling had decreased dramatically and my pain became bearable. I thought I had finally found the perfect drug! Fast forward 6 months later and the drug is keeping me sick about every 6 weeks. I've had multiple sinus infections with 2 of them causing vertigo which makes RA seem like child's play. I have to battle yeast infections, congestion, sinusitis, and horrible acne all over my chin. I am trying to take the drug just a few times a week to keep the swelling down but even that isn't working. I hear a swooshing sound in my ears and I'm always terrified I'm going to get vertigo again and be driving or in a store. What started out as a miracle drug for me has developed into a nightmare. I'm at the point where the benefits are not outweighing the side effects. For me the honeymoon phase is definitely over and I am ready for a divorce."

• Bob...
• September 26, 2020

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "I’ve been on Rinvoq for 6 weeks now. It has caused a lot of dizziness and nausea. I’ve tried changing the time that I take it so that the worst of the dizziness was at night, but I wake up feeling very dizzy and nauseous. Has anyone else had this problem?"

• Dee...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 25, 2020

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "I wanted to respond to Bob who posted on Sept. 26. I have had an issue with feeling very lightheaded all day. I never move my head quickly and get up very slowly in the morning. I have had severe dizziness with other meds. This is a terrible feeling and I hope that it fades for you as you adjust to this med. I never feel 'grounded'. I am giving this drug one more month for a total of six months. Best of luck to you."

• UTI...
• May 4, 2022

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "Omg!! On Rinvoq for 8 days!! I came off of it 9 days ago and have had a UTI that is unbearable, I have had Bactrim and now Cipro!! I still have had no relief!! I went for a urine culture yesterday!! I keep getting dizzy and lightheaded!! I also got an inflammation infection in my left eye and had to get prednisone drops!!! OMG!! Please be careful if you take Rinvoq!!"

• dpa...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• March 4, 2021

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "I can relate to JJ's mom. I have had a big problem with vertigo, which I think has been exacerbated by Rinvoq. An otologist diagnosed the condition as viral vertigo. I know the literature states that Rinvoq can activate the virus that causes shingles, and I wonder if it activated a virus that may be affecting my ear. The vertigo has been debilitating at times, and the swishing noise is horrible. I was on antivirals for a year, along with a mild diuretic and a very low sodium diet. I went a whole year without a problem, during which time I was off the antiviral. After a year, the problem is back."

• Nev...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 28, 2022

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "I was on this medication for several months and had a stroke at 42! I stayed in the hospital for over a month and had over 13 doctors during this time. 11 out of 13 doctors said that Covid shots and this medication were a bomb waiting to happen! Causing a major stroke! I had very little signs and symptoms but enough to know something wasn’t good. I suffered with dizziness, headaches, chest pain, shortness of breath, and all of this made me always think I had Covid! The same symptoms for Covid are pretty much the same symptoms for every medication in the world that you take! It’s really hard to determine what symptom goes with what diagnosis this day and age! Don’t wait until it’s too late, just stop taking this medication and try something else. It’s not worth it!"

• Liz...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• July 4, 2022

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "I have RA and Ménière’s (inner ear problem). Rinvoq worsens my inner ear problem, causing increased vertigo. Stopped Rinvoq temporarily for another reason. Vertigo episodes disappeared! Restarted Rinvoq: vertigo returned a week later. Stopped the Rinvoq for 3 weeks again: vertigo disappeared. Restarted Rinvoq: vertigo returned. When I take Rinvoq every other day instead of daily, vertigo episodes are +/- one per month. When I take Rinvoq daily, vertigo episodes are 1 or 2 per day. Rinvoq exacerbates my inner ear problem, making Ménière’s more difficult to control, resulting in more frequent vertigo. Several reviews mention vertigo and dizziness on Rinvoq, but vertigo doesn’t show up in the official side effects list. If you’re having vertigo, spinning sensation, dizziness on Rinvoq, please post here, tell MD, and tell specialty pharmacy. They won’t list it as an uncommon side effect if they don’t know about it. They won’t know about it unless we tell them."

• Liz...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• July 4, 2022

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "I have RA and Ménière’s (inner ear problem). Rinvoq worsens my inner ear problem, causing increased vertigo. Stopped Rinvoq temporarily for another reason. Vertigo episodes disappeared! Restarted Rinvoq: vertigo returned a week later. Stopped the Rinvoq for 3 weeks again: vertigo disappeared. Restarted Rinvoq: vertigo returned. When I take Rinvoq every other day instead of daily, vertigo episodes are +/- one per month. When I take Rinvoq daily, vertigo episodes are 1 or 2 per day. Rinvoq exacerbates my inner ear problem, making Ménière’s more difficult to control, resulting in more frequent vertigo. Several reviews mention vertigo and dizziness on Rinvoq, but vertigo doesn’t show up in the official side effects list. If you’re having vertigo, spinning sensation, dizziness on Rinvoq, please post here, tell MD, and tell specialty pharmacy. They won’t list it as an uncommon side effect if they don’t know about it. They won’t know about it unless we tell them."

• meg...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• August 19, 2021

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "I have been on Rinvoq for over a year. I previously tried Xeljanz and Olumiant. I have had many problems with dizziness and vertigo. Has anyone else experienced these problems while on this class of drugs? I would appreciate any information on this debilitating problem. Thanks."

• meg...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• August 19, 2021

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "I have been on Rinvoq for over a year. I previously tried Xeljanz and Olumiant. I have had many problems with dizziness and vertigo. Has anyone else experienced these problems while on this class of drugs? I would appreciate any information on this debilitating problem. Thanks."

• Tad...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• February 2, 2024

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "Rinvoq has been the only medicine that has helped, minus steroids, in my 3-year battle with severe RA. It has come with its fair share of side effects, with the most prominent one being dizziness and vertigo spells lasting long periods of time daily. Mild cases of heart discomfort and acne. It's hard to weigh in if it's worth it, as it's the only medication, minus steroids, as mentioned before, that has worked. I've tried just about all besides one more, so it's alarming that I'm on my last two options, so I'm continuing for now."

• Tad...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• February 2, 2024

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "Rinvoq has been the only medicine that has helped, minus steroids, in my 3-year battle with severe RA. It has come with its fair share of side effects, with the most prominent one being dizziness and vertigo spells lasting long periods of time daily. Mild cases of heart discomfort and acne. It's hard to weigh in if it's worth it, as it's the only medication, minus steroids, as mentioned before, that has worked. I've tried just about all besides one more, so it's alarming that I'm on my last two options, so I'm continuing for now."

• Rub...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• December 12, 2022

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "I had a good start with Rinvoq, but ended up in acute care with double pneumonia six weeks in. Since then, I have had vertigo and constant headaches. It’s now six months into my treatment, my vertigo is getting worse, and I wake up every day with another spot on my face or neck. I had perfect skin before and am way too old for acne."

• Cap...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• November 9, 2024

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "I have had RA for over 20 years. I have been through all kinds of medications: Enbrel, Humira, Actemra, methotrexate, Arava, etc., until they put me on Rinvoq. At first, it was very good, I never had side effects, it reduced my pain and inflammation. I have been taking 15 mg/day for over four years, but about two years ago I started having middle ear problems that have been increasing. At this point, I can't even get over the urinary tract infection, and I am experiencing very severe vertigo. I was diagnosed with Meniere's syndrome, but I have discovered that if I stop taking Rinvoq, I don't get dizzy. I have already suffered a bad fall due to vertigo, and I think I'm going to have to stop taking it."

• Mar...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 15, 2022

"Two weeks on RINVOQ for spondylitis AS - intense dizziness 20 minutes after taking the pill. - fades away within an hour - extreme fatigue that prevents me from functioning normally - pins and needles in limbs - increasing shortness of breath (in very simple activities such as talking) - today, day 14, my left leg feels numb, so I went to the ER to check for blood clots. Negative. Side note: 41 years, female, healthy for the most part, good diet, blood work is normal, vitals are normal. I’m stopping the medication. This is kind of freaking me out. I don’t feel comfortable putting my body through things like that and would rather look for another treatment."

• Kat...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 14, 2023

"I started taking Rinvoq about 10 months ago to treat alopecia areata. I have had it since I was a kid, but had a really severe flare-up last year and lost about 50% of my hair. I had about 750 steroid injections into my scalp to grow it back, but the hair was falling out faster than the injections could keep up with. I started with 15 mg per day and increased to 30 mg about 4 months later. I saw new hair growth within a month and have now successfully grown all of my hair back. The side effects were pretty intense for the first few weeks. The worst were nausea, dizziness, and fatigue. When I upped my dose to 30 mg, they came back full force but subsided faster. I now have no side effects except I get sick a bit more easily than I used to and stay sick for longer. When I get sick, I tend to need antibiotics now. Overall, a really great medication for alopecia. It costs about $50 a box in Australia or $7 with a low-income healthcare card. Without the PBS, it costs $2050 a box."

• Ank...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 11, 2021

"I started Rinvoq 3 weeks ago and the first week, feeling like I'm doing 40 km/h in a 110 km/h zone. I had energy, but no more. I've become so drained that I just can't fulfill my day. My hair has changed and nails in a bad way. I'm on my 3rd week and I've gotten a mild reaction such as a swollen throat, breathing issues, runny nose, and ear popping. I can't mow my yard anymore because I'm out of breath. I was recommended to do this drug for my skin disorders, I have an autoimmune disease that wasn't managed when I was young, and it's turned into an overactive immune system to now it's turned into Ankylosing Spondylitis diagnosed 6 years ago now and I showed signs at 11, I'm 25 now. So far my skin is good, but pimples, energy, and not being able to breathe I do not joke. I can't eat as much because I can't breathe while eating, I have to take small breaths, but if I do go to work, which is hands-on, I get dizzy. I'm only 3 weeks in, but it has ruined me from the start."