Cinnarizine
About Cinnarizine
Cinnarizine is primarily used to treat nausea and vomiting associated with motion sickness (travel sickness). It is also used to treat the body's balancing problems that can be caused by Meniere disease, ringing in the ears, vertigo (a spinning sensation or dizziness), and hearing loss.
Cinnarizine contains Cinnarizine, which works by blocking the effects of histamine in the brain and helps reduce the symptoms of motion sickness. It also helps improve blood flow to the inner ear.
Take Cinnarizine as advised by your doctor. In some cases, you may experience sleepiness, sweating, dry mouth, headache, weight gain, skin problems, and lethargy. Most of the side effects do not require medical attention. However, if the side effects are persistent, reach out to your doctor.
Cinnarizines should not be taken if you have a peptic ulcer, asthma, or low blood pressure. It is also not recommended for patients with Parkinson's disease, as it can worsen their condition. If you are pregnant or planning to get pregnant, or are breastfeeding, it is recommended not to take Cinnarizine.
Uses of Cinnarizine
• Prevention of Motion Sickness: Cinnarizine helps to prevent and treat motion sickness symptoms like nausea and vomiting, making it useful for travel.
• Management of Vertigo: Cinnarizine is involved in managing vertigo, reducing dizziness, and balance issues related to inner ear problems.
• Treatment of Tinnitus: Cinnarizine may be used to alleviate tinnitus symptoms, such as ringing or buzzing sounds in the ears.
• Circulation Improvement: Cinnarizine calcium channel blocking action enhances blood flow, particularly in cerebral areas, improving circulation and potentially alleviating related symptoms.
• Support for Meniere's disease: Cinnarizine helps manage symptoms of Meniere's disease, including vertigo, hearing loss, and tinnitus (ringing in the ears).
Medicinal Benefits
For Travel sickness:
- Stops nausea and vomiting while traveling
- Reduces vertigo and dizziness
- Reduces perspiration and motion sickness-related discomfort
For Meniere's disease:
- Lessens vertigo, or the feeling of spinning
- Reduces the number and intensity of attacks
For Tinnitus:
- Enhances the inner ear's blood flow
- Helps lessen buzzing or ringing noises
- Regulates related vertigo or dizziness
- Improves inner ear function in general
Directions for Use
- Take Cinnarizine with a meal to help prevent stomach upset.
- Follow your doctor's instructions on the dosage and timing of this medication to ensure safety.
- Swallow the medicine as a whole with a glass of water.
- Do not crush, break, or chew it.
Storage
Side Effects of Cinnarizine
- Sleepiness
- Sweating
- Dry mouth
- Headache
- Weight gain
- Skin problems
- Lethargy
Medicines Containing this Salt
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Drug Warnings
- Do not take Cinnarizine if you are allergic to any of its ingredients.
- Inform your doctor about all other medications and herbal products you are taking or have been taking.
- If you have epilepsy or any other mental disorder, problems emptying the urinary bladder, porphyria (a blood disorder), glaucoma (increased eye pressure), or Parkinson's disease, inform your doctor before starting Cinnarizine.
- Alcohol should not be consumed along with Cinnarizine, as it may cause excessive drowsiness.
- If you are pregnant or planning to get pregnant, or are breastfeeding, it is recommended not to take Cinnarizine.
- If your skin becomes yellow and your urine also becomes pale yellow, consult your doctor immediately.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interaction: Taking Cinnarizine with the following medication classes may cause adverse reactions.
- Drugs used for hypertension (metoprolol, amlodipine)
• Potential effect: May increase the risk of dizziness and low blood pressure. - Sleeping pills (zolpidem, clonazepam)
• Potential effect: May cause increased sedation. - Anti-Parkinson's medicine (levodopa)
• Potential effect: May reduce the effectiveness of levodopa. - Antidepressants (amitriptyline, dosulepin, imipramine)
• Potential effect: May cause side effects like dry mouth, constipation, and blurred vision.
Drug-Food Interaction: Avoid the intake of alcohol with Cinnarizine as it may cause increased drowsiness, dizziness, and lack of concentration.
Drug-Disease Interaction: Inform your doctor if you have a history of the following conditions before taking Cinnarizine, as it may worsen your condition or cause complications.
- Epilepsy
- Problems emptying the urinary bladder
- Glaucoma (increased eye pressure)
- Parkinson's disease
- Kidney problems
- Porphyria (a blood disorder)
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
unsafeCinnarizine should not be taken along with alcohol as it may increase sleepiness and drowsiness.
Pregnancy
unsafeCinnarizine is not recommended for use during pregnancy. Consult your doctor if you are pregnant.
Breast Feeding
unsafeCinnarizine is not recommended in breastfeeding women.
Driving
cautionCinnarizine is known to cause sleepiness, so you should not operate any machinery or car which requires mental alertness.
Liver
consult your doctorLet your doctor know if you have any history of liver diseases before using Cinnarizine.
Kidney
consult your doctorLet your doctor know if you have any history of kidney diseases before using Cinnarizine.
Children
consult your doctorCinnarizine is not recommended for children below the age of 5 years. For children aged 5 and above, the dose will be decided by a child specialist.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
Healthy eating habits:
- To lessen nausea and upset stomachs, eat light, well-balanced meals.
- Steer clear of alcohol and high-fat foods, as they make you feel sleepier.
- Drink plenty of water throughout the day.
- To promote general health, include fresh fruits and vegetables.
Lifestyle changes:
- To lessen vertigo symptoms, get enough sleep and rest.
- When shifting positions, move carefully to avoid becoming lightheaded.
- Avoid loud noises and use ear protection to prevent worsening of tinnitus
- Reduce stress and anxiety, as they can increase ringing in the ears.
Special Advise
- Do not take Cinnarizine if you are about to undergo a skin test for an allergic reaction.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Motion sickness: Motion sickness is a condition in which a person feels nausea, vomiting, dizziness, or discomfort while travelling by car, bus, train, ship, or aeroplane. It happens when the brain receives mixed signals from the eyes and inner ear about movement and balance.
Meniere's Disease: It is a disorder of the inner ear that makes you feel dizzy and unwell. It can cause a spinning sensation, vertigo, and sometimes a hearing problem.
FAQs
Cinnarizine is used to treat nausea and vomiting due to Travel sickness (motion sickness). It is also used to treat the body's balancing problems that can be caused by Meniere disease, ringing in the ears, vertigo (a spinning sensation or dizziness), and hearing loss.
Cinnarizine contains Cinnarizine, a drowsy anti-histamine, which works by blocking the effects of histamine in the brain and helps reduce the symptoms of motion sickness. It also helps improve blood flow to the inner ear.
Yes, Cinnarizine can cause an upset stomach. It is best to take Cinnarizine after a meal to avoid upsetting the stomach, and also take it 1-2 hours before you are supposed to travel.
Taking Cinnarizine if you have Parkinson's disease can aggravate the disease condition and worsen your condition. Although when you stop taking Cinnarizine, your condition might become normal. Therefore, it should be used with caution in patients with Parkinson's disease.
No, using Cinnarizine for a long duration can increase the side effects of Cinnarizine. It is mostly used for the long term in elderly patients with vertigo. So, Cinnarizine should always be taken in the dose and duration prescribed by your doctor.
Yes, Cinnarizine can cause sleepiness as a common side effect, especially when you start taking it. It is advisable to avoid driving or operating heavy machinery until you know how the medication affects you. However, if you have any concerns, consult your doctor.
Yes, Cinnarizine can help with tinnitus. Tinnitus is a condition where you hear a ringing or buzzing sound that isn't caused by an external source. Cinnarizine helps by improving blood flow to the inner ear, which can reduce the pressure of excess fluid and reduce symptoms like tinnitus. However, if you experience it for a long time, please consult your doctor.
Take Cinnarizine 1-2 hours before travelling as prescribed by your doctor.
Cinnarizine is generally not recommended for long-term use due to the increased risk of uncontrollable movements and tremors. It is best to use it as prescribed by your doctor.
Take the Cinnarizine exactly as prescribed by your doctor. It is best to take it after meals to minimise stomach upset. Swallow it with water. Do not break, crush or chew it.
It may cause weight gain as a side effect. To prevent this, you can eat a healthy balanced diet, avoid snacking with high-calorie food, and exercise regularly. However, consult your doctor if you have any concerns.
The common side effects of Cinnarizine are sleepiness, sweating, dry mouth, headache, weight gain, skin problems and lethargy. If these side effects persist or worsen, please consult your doctor.
