Cinnarizine: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Precautions & More
What is Cinnarizine?
Cinnarizine is an antihistamine and calcium channel blocking drug. It also increases blood flow to the brain. It inhibits contractions of vascular smooth muscle cells by blocking calcium channels.
Cinnarizine acts by anti-vasoconstrictor activity and reducing blood viscosity. It decreases entering into the cells of calcium ions and decreases their content in the depot.
Uses of Cinnarizine
Cinnarizine is a medicine used:
- In the treatment of noise in the ears (tinnitus), reduction in memory
- In the period of recovery after craniocerebral (brain) injuries
- To treat a migraine
- In therapy for symptoms of a peripheral arterial disease
- To treat vertigo, tinnitus, nausea, and vomiting such as is seen in Meniere’s disease
- To treat motion sickness
- To treat food allergy.
How to Take Cinnarizine?
- The dosage and duration of Cinnarizine should be taken as advised by the doctor
- The dosage is based on your age, medical condition, and response to therapy
- Method of administration – For oral use.
- Cinnarizine should preferably be taken after meals. The tablets may be sucked, chewed or swallowed whole with water.
Common Dosage for Cinnarizine
- Dosage is usually based on your condition
Vestibular symptoms:
Adults, elderly and children over 12 years:
- Two tablets three times a day.
Children 5-12 years:
- One tablet three times a day.
The stated doses should not be exceeded.
Motion sickness:
Adults, elderly and children over 12 years:
- Two tablets two hours before travel and one tablet every eight hours during the journey if necessary.
Children 5-12 years:
- One tablet two hours before travel and half a tablet every eight hours during the journey if necessary.
Precautions – When to Avoid Cinnarizine?
Cinnarizine should not be used if you are:
- Allergic to any of its components or other antihistamines.
- A patient suffering from porphyria (a blood disorder).
- Suffering from Parkinson’s disease.
- If you have any of the following conditions: increased pressure in your eye (glaucoma) or epilepsy.
- Caution is advised in patients with moderate to severe liver and kidney dysfunction
- If you have prostate problems or have been experiencing difficulty passing urine.
- Cinnarizine Tablets contain lactose. Patients suffering from galactose intolerance, Lapp lactase deficiency or glucose-galactose malabsorption should avoid taking this drug.
Side-effects of Cinnarizine
Most patients do not show any side effects. The most common side effects of Cinnarizine are drowsiness and dizziness. Other side effects are –
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- A headache
- Loss of appetite, indigestion
- Weight gain
- Jaundice
- Light-headedness, restlessness
- Dry mouth
- Stomach Ache
- More saliva in the mouth than usual
- Increased sweating
- Depression
- Increased heart rate
- Tremors
- Skin rashes
What Effects Does Cinnarizine Have on Organs?
- Liver – Cinnarizine should be used cautiously in patients with liver disease. Jaundice can occur as a side effect.
- Kidney – Cinnarizine should be used cautiously in patients with kidney disease
- In severe cases, dose adjustment may also be needed
- Consult your doctors if any unwanted symptoms are observed.
Are There Any Reported Allergic Reactions?
Report to your doctor if you are allergic to any of its ingredients. Although Cinnarizine is an anti-histamine drug, allergy to Cinnarizine has been reorted. Signs of allergic reactions include:
- Rashes
- Itching of skin
- Swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat
Drug Interactions to Be Careful About
Inform about the herbal products that you are consuming. Do not modify the drug regimen without your doctor’s approval. All the possible drug interactions might not be listed here. Always inform the physician of all the drugs/products you use. Cinnarizine may prevent an otherwise positive reaction to skin allergy tests if used within 4 days prior to skin testing as it is an antihistamine.
Inform your doctor if you frequently use other drugs that make you drowsy or sleepy. Cinnarizine may interact with the following drugs and products:
- Alcohol
- CNS depressants or tricyclic antidepressants
- Sleeping pills
- Other allergy drugs
- Narcotic pain medicine
- Muscle relaxants
- Drugs used for fits
- Drugs used for depression
- Anti-anxiety drugs
Shows Effects / Results In
- Depends on the condition being treated.
- Complete the dose prescribed by your doctor for complete cessation of symptoms
Storage Requirements for Cinnarizine
- Store at room temperature away from direct light and heat
- Keep away from children
Pro Tips When Taking Cinnarizine
Do not drive or operate heavy machinery if you feel drowsy / dizzy after consuming Cinnarizine.
FAQs
Is Cinnarizine Addictive?
No. However self medication and dependence to these medicines should be avoided.
Can I have Cinnarizine with alcohol?
Alcohol will make the drowsiness worse, so it is best not to drink alcohol while you are on Cinnarizine.
Any particular food item to be avoided?
No
Can I have Cinnarizine When Pregnant?
- Cinnarizine should be avoided in pregnancy.
- The safety of Cinnarizine in human pregnancy has not been established although studies in animals have not demonstrated teratogenic effects.
- Inform your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant for case specific recommendations
Can I have Cinnarizine when feeding a baby?
Cinnarizine should be avoided in nursing women. Inform your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant for case specific recommendations
Can I drive after taking Cinnarizine?
Cinnarizine can cause drowsiness. If this happens, do not drive and do not use tools or machines.
What happens if I overdose on Cinnarizine?
An overdose of Cinnarizine can cause:
- Excess sleepiness,
- Coma,
- Vomiting,
- Excessive jerky movements and problems such as slowness, muscle stiffness, trembling and feeling restless,
- More saliva than normal,
- Twitching or unusual movements of the tongue, face, mouth, jaw or throat, or rolling of the eyes
- Floppiness of the limbs and muscle weakness
- Fits
- Deaths have also been reported.
People who have taken too much cinnarizine should seek emergency treatment immediately.
What happens if I take expired Cinnarizine?
- Taking a single dose may not cause any major adverse effect
- The potency of the medicine may get reduced
- Please inform your physician if expired medicine has been taken
- To be on the safer side, always check and never use an expired drug
What happens if I miss a dose of Cinnarizine?
- To be effective a certain amount of drug must be in your body at all times
- Always consume the missed dose as soon as you remember it
- If it’s already time to take the second dose – do not take a double dose
History
Cinnarizine was first synthesized by Janssen Pharmaceutica in 1955
