Cinnarizine

Cinnarizine (brand name Stugeron) is an antihistamine that treats travel sickness, vertigo, tinnitus and Ménière's disease. It works by blocking the effects of histamine in the brain to reduce the symptoms of travel sickness (motion sickness). It also helps to improve blood flow in the inner ear. This is how it reduces the dizziness and sickness from vertigo, tinnitus and Ménière's. It also comes mixed with dimenhydrinate to treat vertigo.[1]

Cinnarizine is known as a drowsy (sedating) antihistamine, so it is more likely to make people feel sleepy than other antihistamines.[1] Cinnarizine comes as tablets.[1]

This medicine can cause serious allergic reactions which require emergency treatment. Make sure the signs of these reactions are known: read allergic reaction symptoms of drugs.

Avoid drinking alcohol while taking cinnarizine.[1] Alcohol increases the chance of side effects. To prevent travel sickness, take cinnarizine 2 hours before a journey. Another dose can be taken 8 hours later if necessary.[1] Take cinnarizine after a meal to stop it upsetting the stomach. It works gradually. It can take up to 4 hours to reach its full effect.[1]

Side effects

Common side effects

There are things that can be done to help cope with them. These common side effects of cinnarizine happen in more than 1 in 100 people:[1]

Speak to a doctor or pharmacist if how to cope does not help and a side effect is still bothering or does not go away.[1]

Serious side effects

Call a doctor or call non-emergency services now if there is:[1]

  • slow, twitchy or jerky body movements, muscle stiffness, trembling or shaking – this is more likely to happen in older people who have taken cinnarizine for a long time
  • yellowing of the whites of the eyes or skin (although this may be more difficult to see on brown or black skin), and dark pee – these can be signs of liver problems
  • joint pain along with a red skin rash, especially in parts of the body exposed to the sun, such as on the arms, cheeks and nose

Serious allergic reaction

In rare cases, it is possible to have a serious allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) to cinnarizine.[1]

Other side effects

These are not all the side effects of cinnarizine. For a full list, see the leaflet inside the medicine packet.[1]

Who can and cannot take cinnarizine

Most adults and children aged 5 years and over can take cinnarizine. However, it is not suitable for some people. To make sure it is safe, report in, or in a child, tell a doctor or pharmacist if there is:[1]

  • have ever had an allergic reaction to cinnarizine or any other medicine
  • porphyria (an inherited blood condition)
  • severe liver disease
  • problems peeing or emptying the bladder
  • epilepsy or any other health problem that causes fits or seizures
  • an eye problem called primary angle closure glaucoma
  • Parkinson's disease, as cinnarizine could make symptoms worse
  • an allergy test coming up

Cinnarizine can affect the results of allergy tests. Ask at the allergy clinic for advice. It may need to be stopped a few days before the test.[1]

Cinnarizine and pregnancy

Cinnarizine is not usually recommended during pregnancy. Speak to a doctor or pharmacist about more suitable options.[1]

Cinnarizine and breastfeeding

If the doctor or health visitor says that baby is healthy, cinnarizine can be taken while breastfeeding.[1]

It is not known how much cinnarizine gets into breast milk.[1] It is also a drowsy antihistamine, so it is better to take occasional doses or only take it for a short time, as it may also make baby sleepy too.[1]

If breastfeeding or planning to breastfeed, talk to a doctor or pharmacist as other medicines might be better while breastfeeding.[1]

If baby is not feeding as well as usual, seems unusually sleepy, seems irritable, or has a dry mouth, or if you have any other concerns about baby, talk to a doctor, pharmacist, health visitor or midwife.[1]

Tell a doctor if trying to get pregnant, are already pregnant, or breastfeeding.[1]

Cautions with other medicines

Cinnarizine can affect the way other medicines work. It can also be affected by other medicines. Both can increase the chance of side effects.

Tell a pharmacist or doctor if taking any medicine that:

  • causes drowsiness or feelings of being drowsy
  • gives dry mouth
  • makes it difficult to pee

Taking cinnarizine can make these side effects worse.

Mixing cinnarizine with herbal remedies and supplements

There might be a problem taking some herbal remedies and supplements alongside cinnarizine, especially ones that cause side effects such as sleepiness, a dry mouth or making it difficult to pee.

Ask a pharmacist for advice.

There is not enough information to say whether other complementary medicines, herbal remedies and supplements are safe to take with cinnarizine. They are not tested in the same way as pharmacy and prescription medicines. They are generally not tested for the effect they have on other medicines.

Tell a doctor or pharmacist if taking any other medicines, including herbal remedies, vitamins or supplements.

References
  1. "Cinnarizine: antihistamine used for travel sickness and vertigo". nhs.uk. 2022-10-25. Retrieved 2024-06-13.
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