Cinnarizine

Travel sickness occurs when your brain receives conflicting information from your different balance senses, causing nerve signals to activate the vomiting centre in your brain. Cinnarizine works by blocking histamine receptors in the vomiting centre. As a result, fewer nerve signals can activate it. You can take cinnarizine before travelling by car, boat, plane, or train to prevent travel sickness. Adults and children aged twelve and above can take two tablets two hours before they travel, then one tablet every eight hours during the journey if required. While children aged five to eleven can take one tablet two hours before they travel, then half a tablet every eight hours during the journey if required.

Symptoms of balance disorders can include feeling sick (nausea), being sick, dizziness, vertigo, and ringing in the ears. The antihistamine effect of cinnarizine can help relieve many of these symptoms. Cinnarizine also acts as a calcium channel blocker, helping to improve blood flow in the inner ear to provide further relief of symptoms. Adults and children aged twelve and above can take two tablets three times a day. While children aged five to eleven can take one tablet three times a day.

You should not take cinnarizine if you are allergic to it or another ingredient listed in the medicine. Do not give cinnarizine to children under five.

You should speak with your doctor before taking cinnarizine if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, soon to have an allergy skin test, or intolerant to certain sugars like fructose or galactose. You should also speak with your doctor before taking cinnarizine if you have any serious medical conditions including Parkinson’s disease, liver or kidney problems, glaucoma, epilepsy, or a rare genetic blood disorder called porphyria.

Cinnarizine can interact with other medications, including betahistine, dalteparin, and medications that can cause drowsiness. If you take any prescription, over-the-counter or herbal medicines, ask your doctor or pharmacist to check they are safe to take alongside cinnarizine.

As with all medications, some people may experience side effects. These can include drowsiness, headache, stomach upset, dry mouth, and weight gain. If you experience drowsiness, you should avoid driving and drinking alcohol. If any side effects become bothersome, you should speak with your doctor or pharmacist.