An antisickness/anti-vertigo medicine
Cinnarizine
An antihistamine-type medicine used for travel sickness and for inner-ear balance problems such as vertigo and Meniere's disease; it can cause drowsiness, so alcohol is best avoided.
What is Cinnarizine?
Cinnarizine is an antihistamine-type medicine used in the UK for travel sickness and for balance (inner-ear) disorders such as vertigo and Meniere's disease. It calms the signals from the inner ear that cause nausea and the sensation of spinning. It can cause drowsiness, so it is sensible to avoid alcohol and to know how it affects you before driving.
Education and reference only. This is a plain-language guide to Cinnarizine — it deliberately contains no doses. Doses depend on the person, the brand and the reason for treatment, and belong with your prescriber. Always check the BNF, the product labelling (SmPC) and follow medical advice.
What it is
Cinnarizine is an antihistamine-type medicine used mainly to prevent and treat travel (motion) sickness and to ease the symptoms of inner-ear balance disorders, such as vertigo, dizziness, ringing in the ears and the attacks of Meniere's disease. It settles the signals coming from the balance organs of the inner ear that cause nausea, vomiting and a spinning feeling. It comes as a tablet and, for travel sickness, is taken before a journey. Like other older antihistamines it can cause drowsiness.
How it works
The inner ear constantly sends balance signals to the brain; when these are disturbed — by travel, or by inner-ear disorders — they can trigger nausea, vomiting and a spinning sensation. Cinnarizine is an antihistamine that also affects calcium movement in cells, and it dampens the over-active signalling from the inner ear's balance organs. By calming these signals it reduces motion sickness and the dizziness and nausea of vertigo and Meniere's disease.
Company & origin
Originated / developed by: Developed by Janssen and marketed in the UK under the brand Stugeron..
Cinnarizine is an antihistamine-type medicine developed by Janssen and used in the UK for travel sickness and for balance (inner-ear) disorders such as vertigo and Meniere's disease.
Practical use
How to take Cinnarizine
General, dose-free guidance — always follow your prescriber's and the leaflet's specific instructions.
- For travel sickness, take it before you start your journey rather than waiting until you feel unwell.
- Take it with or after food if it upsets your stomach.
- Expect possible drowsiness, and do not drive or operate machinery until you know how it affects you.
- Avoid alcohol while taking it, as this adds to the drowsiness.
- Sip water or use sugar-free gum if your mouth feels dry.
- Report any new tremor, stiffness or unusual movements, particularly with longer-term use.
Weighing it up
Advantages & disadvantages of Cinnarizine
Advantages
- It is effective for travel sickness and for the dizziness and nausea of inner-ear balance disorders.
- It is helpful in conditions such as vertigo and Meniere's disease.
- It is taken by mouth and, for travel, can be taken ahead of a journey to prevent symptoms.
Disadvantages
- It can cause drowsiness, which can affect driving and daily activities.
- It can cause a dry mouth and digestive upset, and alcohol makes the sedation worse.
- Long-term use has rarely been linked with movement problems such as tremor and stiffness.
Practical use
Good to know
For travel sickness, cinnarizine is taken before the journey rather than once you already feel unwell. It can cause drowsiness, so do not drive or operate machinery until you know how it affects you, and avoid alcohol, which adds to the sedation. It can also cause a dry mouth and digestive upset, which is eased by taking it with food. Because it is an older antihistamine, it is used cautiously in older people, and long-term use has rarely been linked with movement problems (such as tremor or stiffness), which should be reported. It is generally used for short courses or for specific situations such as travel.
Who should not take it / use with caution
- People who have had an allergic reaction to cinnarizine or similar antihistamines.
- Used with caution in older people and in those with Parkinson's disease, because it can worsen movement symptoms.
- Care in people with low blood pressure, glaucoma, prostate enlargement or urinary retention.
- Care in pregnancy and breastfeeding — used only on advice.
Monitoring
- Review of whether the travel sickness or vertigo is controlled
- Watching for excessive drowsiness, especially in older people
- Checking for any new tremor, stiffness or movement problems with longer use
Side effects
- Drowsiness and a dry mouth are the most common.
- Digestive upset, weight gain or headache.
- Rarely, with longer-term use, movement problems such as tremor or stiffness — report these.
Key interactions
- Alcohol and other sedating medicines add to the drowsiness.
- Medicines for Parkinson's disease may be affected, as cinnarizine can worsen movement symptoms.
- Tell your pharmacist about all your medicines, including ones bought over the counter.
Available as: Tablets.
Answers
Cinnarizine: frequently asked questions
What is cinnarizine used for?
It is used for travel (motion) sickness and for balance disorders of the inner ear, such as vertigo, dizziness, ringing in the ears and Meniere's disease.
When should I take cinnarizine for travel sickness?
Take it before you start your journey rather than waiting until you already feel sick, as it works best as a preventer. Your pharmacist can advise on timing.
Can I drink alcohol with cinnarizine?
It is best to avoid alcohol, because cinnarizine can cause drowsiness and alcohol adds to this, making you more sedated and slowing your reactions.
Is cinnarizine safe for older people?
It can be used in older people but with caution, as older antihistamines can cause more drowsiness, confusion and, rarely with longer use, movement problems. It is generally avoided in people with Parkinson's disease.
What is the difference between cinnarizine and Stugeron?
They are the same medicine — cinnarizine is the active-ingredient name and Stugeron is a brand name. Generic cinnarizine contains the identical active ingredient.
The wider class
About Antiemetics
Cinnarizine belongs to the antiemetics class. For how the class as a whole works, its shared safety principles and monitoring, see the full guide.
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Authoritative sources
- BNF: Cinnarizine.
- NICE CKS: Vertigo.
- electronic Medicines Compendium (SmPC): Stugeron.
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