Cinnarizine-an antihistamine

Cinnarizine belongs to the diphenylmethylpiperazine group and is an antihistamine and calcium channel blocker. Cinnarizine is used to address issues with balance and the inner ear, including illness and dizziness (nausea). It also aids in avoiding motion sickness while travelling.

Your brain receives messages from the nerves inside your ear that contain information about your movements—these nerves, together with signals from your eyes and muscles, aid in keeping your body balanced. The messages delivered from your other ear, your eyes, or your body will conflict if the nerves in one of your ears send too many, too few, or incorrect messages to your brain. As a result, your brain becomes disoriented, which can make you feel dizzy, vertigo-like, and nauseated.

Travelling frequently and making odd motions can make you unwell. These repetitive motions, such as circling or moving over bumps, convey much data to your brain. Your brain receives conflicting and muddled instructions as a result of the balancing system in your ear sending distinct signals to those from your eyes. You feel sick because of this. Cinnarizine aids in easing nausea and dizziness brought on by issues like these.

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Mechanism of action

Cinnarizine, developed as an anti-histamine, subsequently manifested a number of pharmacological effects, most significantly: labyrinthine suppressant action and peripheral anti-vasoconstrictive effects. Cinnarizine inhibits smooth muscle cell contraction in the vasculature by blocking the L-and T-type voltage-gated calcium channels. It is also known to bind to histamine H1 receptors, muscarinic (acetylcholine) receptors, and dopamine D2 receptors. Thus, the mechanism of action of cinnarizine is multimodal. Insufficient cerebral blood circulation has been hypothesized to cause ‘vertiginous symptoms’ like tinnitus, dizziness, nausea, and vomiting in a range of conditions including transient ischemic attacks. Cinnarizine’s anti-vasoconstrictive and protective action against hyperviscosity of blood along with its peripheral anti-ischemic action may be helpful in improving blood flow thus playing an important role in various therapeutic indications

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Dosage and power

Cinnarizine is sold in 15 mg tablet form. Depending on why you’re taking it, your dose will change.

For motion sickness

Take 2 tablets two hours prior to departure for adults and children over the age of twelve. Then, if necessary, take 1 tablet every eight hours while travelling.

Children between the ages of 5 and 11 should be given 1 tablet 2 hours prior to the trip, followed by a half-tablet every 8 hours if necessary.

for inner ear issues that induce vertigo and vomiting

The recommended dosage for adults and children 12 years of age and older is 2 tablets taken three times per day.

Children between the ages of 5 and 11 should typically take 1 pill, 3 times a day.

Typical adverse consequences

More than one in every hundred persons experiences these typical adverse effects.

If the adverse effects affect you or do not go away, speak with your pharmacist or doctor:

drowsiness during the daytime
feeling unwell
indigestion
gaining weight

detrimental effects

To get medical attention right away if you have:

sluggish, jerky, or twitchy body motions, stiff muscles, trembling or shaking. Those who have taken cinnarizine for a long period and are elderly are more likely to experience this.
Dark urine and yellowing of the skin or eye whites are symptoms of liver disease.
joint discomfort and a red skin rash, especially on body regions exposed to the sun, like the arms, cheeks, forehead, and nose.

Adverse drug reactions

Drug-Disease Interaction: CINNARIZINE may interact if you currently have or have ever had porphyria, glaucoma (raise eye pressure), Parkinson’s disease, epilepsy, or any other mental disorder (a blood disorder).

Alcohol and CINNARIZINE should not be consumed together as they may induce sleepiness, dizziness, and lack of concentration.

Drug Interaction: It is known that CINNARIZINE interacts with painkillers, and antidepressants, such as amitriptyline, dosulepin, and imipramine (ibuprofen, naproxen).

Precaution

Cinnarizine should not be taken with alcohol. The likelihood of side effects rises when alcohol is used.
Take cinnarizine two hours before your trip to prevent motion sickness. If necessary, you can take another dose eight hours later.
Cinnarizine, marketed under the brand names Stugeron and other well-known names, should be taken after a meal to prevent an upset stomach.

Stay tuned for more updates on other drugs.

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Team MBD