What is this medication for?

Cinnarizine is mainly used for the treatment of nausea and vomiting due to Meniere disease or due to other inner ear problems such as vertigo {dizzy spells} or tinnitus {ringing in the ear}. It can also be used to prevent motion sickness.

How should I take/use this medication?

• Do not stop taking your medication without checking with your healthcare professional

• This medicine should be taken after food

• If you are taking to prevent motion sickness, the first dose should be taken 2 hours before the start of the journey and every 8 hours if needed for a longer journey

• Follow the instructions on the medication label and take this medication as prescribed by your doctor

• If your symptoms become persistent or worsening, seek help from your medical doctor as soon as possible

What should I do if I forget to take/use this medication?

If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember. Then take your next dose at the usual time. Do not take two doses to make up for the missed dose

Do not take double the dose for any missed dose if you are taking this medication as and when needed.

What precautions should I take?

Inform your healthcare professional if:

• You are allergic to this medication or any of the other ingredients of this medication

• You are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding

• You are taking any other medications, including supplements, traditional medications and herbal remedies.

• Medical conditions such as Parkinson Disease, liver and renal disease, porphyria (rare inherited blood disorder)

What are some common side-effects of this medication?

• Feeling tired or drowsy

  • Avoid driving or engaging in activities requiring concentration

• Stomach upset

• Take this medication with or after food to reduce stomach upset

What are some rare but serious side-effects that I need to seek medical advice immediately?

The symptoms of a drug allergy include one or more of the following:

• Swollen face/eyes/lips/tongue

• Difficulty in breathing

• Itchy skin rashes over your whole body

If you experience any of these symptoms, you should stop your medication and see your healthcare professional immediately

What food or medication should I avoid when I take this medication?

Avoid drinking alcohol while taking this medication as it can increase drowsiness side effect

How should I store this medication?

Store in a cool and dry place, away from direct sunlight. Keep this medication away from children.

How should I throw away this medication safely?

Pack this medication into a black trash bag and seal it tightly before throwing it into the rubbish chute or bin.

Disclaimers

If you take more than the recommended dose, please seek medical advice immediately. The information provided on this page does not replace information from your healthcare professional. Please consult your healthcare professional for more information.

This article is jointly developed by members of the National Medication Information workgroup. The workgroup consists of cluster partners (National Healthcare Group, National University Health System and SingHealth), community pharmacies (Guardian, Unity and Watsons) and Pharmaceutical Society of Singapore. The content does not reflect drug availability and supply information in pharmacies and healthcare institutions. You are advised to check with the respective institutions for such information.

Last updated on Jul 2022