Effective control of travel sickness. Control of vestibular symptoms of both peripheral and central origin and of labyrinthine disorders including vertigo, dizziness, tinnitus, nystagmus, nausea and vomiting. Prophylaxis of motion sickness. Adjunct therapy for symptoms of peripheral arterial disease.
Dosage Instructions - 15mg Tablet
For the control of travel sickness
Adults, the elderly and children over the age fo 12 years
Take two tablets two hours before travelling and ½ a tablet every 8 hours during the journey.
Children aged between 5 and 12 years
Take 1 tablet two hours before travelling and ½ a tablet every 8 hours during the journey.
For disorders relating to disturbed balance
Adults, the elderly and children over the age fo 12 years
Take 2 tablets three times a day.
Children aged between 5 and 12 years
Take 1 tablet three times a day.
Dosage Instructions Forte - 75mg Tablet
As with other antihistamines, cinnarizine may cause epigastric distress; taking it after meals may diminish gastric irritation.
Adults and Children over 12 years
Peripheral circulatory disorders
2 to 3 capsules of 75 mg daily.
Disorders of balance
1 capsule of 75 mg daily. The maximum recommended dosage should not exceed 225 mg (3 capsules) daily - if necessary the dosage may be divided over 2 or 3 intakes per day. As the effect of cinnarizine on vertigo is dose dependant, the dosage should be increased progressively.
Side Effects
The most common antihistaminic side-effect of cinnarizine is sedation which can vary from slight drowsiness to deep sleep, and including inability to concentrate, lassitude, dizziness, and inco-ordination. Sedative effects, when they occur, may diminish after a few days.
Other side-effects include gastro-intestinal disturbances such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea or constipation, anorexia or increased appetite and epigastric pain. Somnolence and gastro-intestinal disturbances are usually transient and may often be prevented by achieving the optimum dosage gradually. Cinnarizine may also produce antimuscarinic effects such as blurred vision, difficulty in micturition, dysuria, dryness of mouth and tightness of chest. Central effects may include muscular weakness, headache and euphoria. Weight gain, perspiration or allergic reactions may be observed. Cases of lichen planus and lupus-like symptoms and an isolated case of cholestatic jaundice have been reported. In elderly people cases of aggravation or an appearance of extrapyramidal symptoms sometimes associated with depressive feelings have been described during prolonged therapy. The treatment should be discontinued in such cases.
Drug Interactions
Cinnarizine may enhance the sedative effect of central nervous system depressants including
- alcohol
- barbiturates
- hypnotics
- narcotic analgesics
- tricyclic antidepressants
- sedatives
- tranquillisers
The side-effects of anticholinergic substances such as atropine and tricyclic antidepressants may be enhanced by the concomitant administration of antihistamines. Monoamine-oxidase inhibitors may enhance the antimuscarinic effects of antihistamines. Diagnostic interference: Because of its antihistamine effect, Stugeron tablets may prevent otherwise positive reactions to dermal reactivity indicators if used up to 4 days prior to skin testing.
Known Symptoms of Overdose and its Treatment
Overdose may be fatal especially in infants and children in whom the main symptoms are central nervous system stimulation and antimuscarinic effects including ataxia, excitement, hallucinations, muscle tremor, convulsions, dilated pupils, dry mouth, flushed face and hyperpyrexia. Deepening coma, cardiorespiratory collapse, and death may occur within 18 hours. In adults the usual symptoms are central nervous depression with drowsiness, coma and convulsions. Hypertension may also occur. Treatment is symptomatic and supportive.
