Cinnarizine + Dimenhydrinate

Cinnarizine + Dimenhydrinate is used to treat vertigo. It is a combination medicine which acts by relaxing vascular smooth muscles of the blood vessels of the ear and improves the blood circulation. It also blocks the action of a chemical messenger that is responsible for lightheadedness in vertigo. Cinnarizine + Dimenhydrinate should be taken with food to avoid stomach upset. Take this medicine as advised by your doctor and preferably at a fixed time each day. Do not skip any doses, but if you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as you remember. Finish the full course of treatment and never stop this medicine suddenly without talking to your doctor.

Cinnarizine + Dimenhydrinate is a combination of two medicines: Cinnarizine and Dimenhydrinate. Cinnarizine is a calcium channel antagonist which works by preventing constriction of the blood vessels of the inner ear. This improves the microcirculation of the ear. Dimenhydrinate is an antiallergic. It blocks the action of a chemical messenger (histamine) that is responsible for light-headedness in vertigo.

• Vertigo
• Motion sickness
• Meniere's syndrome
• Tinnitus
• Cerebral vascular disorders
• Peripheral vascular disorders
• Migraine

This contains two active ingredients Cinnarizine and Dimenhydrinate. The two substances belong to different groups of medicines. Cinnarizine is part of a group called calcium antagonists. Dimenhydrinate belongs to a group called antihistamines. Both substances work by reducing symptoms of vertigo (a feeling of dizziness or spinning) and nausea (feeling sick). The combination product is more effective than the individual compounds.

Cinnarizine has calcium-channel blocking activity selective for arterial smooth muscle. It acts as a labyrinthine sedative and improves microcirculation by reducing ischaemia-induced blood viscosity. Dimenhydrinate is an antihistamine which also has antimuscarinic and central sedative action. It also exerts a depressant action on hyperstimulated labyrinthine function.

Adult Dose (Oral): 1 tablet three times daily, to be taken after meals.

Children and adolescents under 18 years: Not recommended.

Elderly: Dosage as for adults.

Take this medicine in the dose and duration as advised by your doctor. Swallow it as a whole. Do not chew, crush or break it. Cinnarizine + Dimenhydrinate is to be taken with food (take after meals to minimize gastric irritation).

If you miss a dose of Cinnarizine + Dimenhydrinate, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular schedule. Do not double the dose.

Common Side Effects:

• Drowsiness
• Dry mouth
• Headache
• Stomach pain

Rare Side Effects: Impaired vision, allergic reactions, light sensitivity, difficulty in urinating, weight gain, constipation, tightness of the chest, jaundice, worsening of angle-closure glaucoma, uncontrollable movements, unusual excitement and restlessness, severe skin reactions.

• [UNSAFE] Cinnarizine + Dimenhydrinate may decrease alertness, affect your vision or make you feel sleepy and dizzy. Do not drive if these symptoms occur.
• Take it with food to avoid stomach upset.
• Do not drink alcohol (may cause increased sleepiness).
• Avoid driving or activities requiring mental focus until you know how it affects you.
• Use with caution in patients with Parkinson's disease.
• Do not use during pregnancy and lactation.
• Do not stop taking without talking to your doctor first.

• Severe hepatic impairment
• Hypersensitivity
• Angle-closure glaucoma
• Convulsions
• Suspicion of raised intracranial pressure
• Alcohol abuse
• Urine retention due to urethroprostatic disorders
• Parkinson's disease
• Children and neonates

Concurrent use of alcohol, CNS depressants or tricyclic antidepressants may potentiate the sedative effects. Cinnarizine: CNS depressant effect enhanced with alcohol; action potentiated by domperidone. Dimenhydrinate: Physically incompatible with aminophylline, hydrocortisone, phenothiazines and some barbiturates in solution. Potentiates sedative effects of CNS depressants; MAOIs, atropine, TCAs enhance antimuscarinic effect; masks ototoxicity produced by aminoglycoside antibiotics.

[UNSAFE] Cinnarizine + Dimenhydrinate may cause excessive drowsiness with alcohol.

[CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR] Cinnarizine + Dimenhydrinate may be unsafe to use during pregnancy. Should not be used during pregnancy and lactation.

[CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR] Information regarding the use of Cinnarizine + Dimenhydrinate during breastfeeding is not available. Should not be used during pregnancy and lactation.

Not recommended for use in children and adolescents under 18 years.

Elderly patients: Dosage as for adults.

[CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR] There is limited information available on the use of Cinnarizine + Dimenhydrinate in patients with kidney disease. Please consult your doctor.

[CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR] There is limited information available on the use of Cinnarizine + Dimenhydrinate in patients with liver disease. Severe hepatic impairment is contraindicated.

Overdose symptoms: Drowsiness, dizziness, ataxia, dry mouth, flushing of the face, dilated pupils, tachycardia, pyrexia, headache and urinary retention. Gastric lavage with isotonic sodium chloride solution is recommended.

Store in a cool (below 30°C) and dry place. Keep away from light and out of reach of children.

Cinnarizine + Dimenhydrinate