Cinnarizine is an antihistamine.
Pronunciation: sin-nah-rih-zeen
What are cinnarizine’s uses?
Cinnarizine is used to relieve symptoms of motion sickness and balance (vestibular) disorders such as tinnitus (ringing in the ears), vertigo, nausea and vomiting, as well as Ménières disease (a disorder of the inner ear).
Cinnarizine’s mechanism of action is that it intercepts the signal between the middle ear and the hypothalamus, reducing the impulse to vomit.
What dosage should you take?
Dosage will depend on your age, gender and medical condition. The typical adult dosage for motion sickness is 25mg two hours before you travel.
For balance disorders, the average dose is around 25mg three times a day.
The typical dosage for children five to seven years old is 6mg three times a day, and children eight to 12, 12.5mg, three times a day.
However, always check the correct dosages with your Clicks pharmacist first.
What special precautions should you take?
- Make sure to tell your doctor or Clicks pharmacist if you are allergic to cinnarizine, or if you have any other allergies.
- Avoid alcohol while taking cinnarizine as it can increase the sedative effect of the medication.
- During pregnancy or breastfeeding, it is best to avoid the use of cinnarizine as it could adversely impact your unborn child and your infant, unless your doctor determines that the benefits outweigh the risks.
- Avoid driving or operating heavy machinery as cinnarizine could impair your functioning.
Cinnarizine should be avoided if you have the following conditions:
- Porphyria (a group of rare genetic disorders that affect mainly the skin or nervous system)
- A history of severe depression
Cinnarizine should be used with caution if you suffer from hypotension (low blood pressure) or are elderly.
What drug interactions could you experience?
To avoid adverse drug interactions, always inform your doctor or Clicks pharmacist what prescription and non-prescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements and herbal products you are taking or planning to take.
What are cinnarizine’s side effects?
Not everyone experiences side effects, but they do occur. Consult your doctor if they persist or become more severe over time. Side effects could include:
- Drowsiness
- Dry mouth
- Headache
- Indigestion
- Depression
- Skin rashes
- Excess saliva
- Restlessness
- Weight gain
- Facial twitches
This is not a complete list of side effects. It’s essential that you contact your doctor should you notice any severe or odd side effects.
What are the overdose symptoms?
Call a doctor or ambulance immediately if you suspect an overdose and notice the following symptoms:
- Extreme sleepiness
- Vomiting
- Tremors or jerky movements
- Muscle weakness or hypotonia (floppiness of the limbs)
- Seizures and/or rolling of the eyes