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Cinnarizinum is a drug whose active substance is cinnarizine. It is a derivative of piperazine and has a relaxing effect on the smooth muscles of the blood vessel walls. This action of Cinnarizinum increases blood flow, especially in the peripheral vessels. Therefore, cinnarizine is used in the treatment of diseases in which the blood vessels narrow and blood perfusion is impeded.
Manufacturers of the drug: Hasco, Aflofarm, Polfa
Form, dose, packaging: tablets; 25 mg; 50 pcs.
Availability category: Rp – prescription drug
Active substance: cinnarizine
Cinnarizinum – action
The mechanism of action of Cinnarizinum is to relax the walls of blood vessels by blocking calcium channels. Calcium ions are an essential element in inducing muscle contraction. If their intracellular supply is inhibited, then the muscles are kept in the diastolic phase. Thus, the blood vessels are dilated and blood flow is increased. The life-giving oxygen that is necessary for the proper functioning of the organs is carried in the blood. Cinnarizinum is selective for calcium channels in the smooth muscles of the peripheral vessels, the retina and the inner ear. The drug is also antiallergic, calming, and has an anti-emetic effect.
Cinnarizinum – indications
Cinnarizinum is indicated for patients struggling with:
- peripheral circulatory dysfunctions (e.g. intermittent claudication, Raynaud’s syndrome),
- complaints related to the improper functioning of the labyrinth manifested by nausea, vomiting, tinnitus or dizziness (e.g. in the course of Meniere’s syndrome),
- insufficient blood supply to the eye’s retina,
- motion sickness,
- nystagmus,
- difficulties in proper blood flow in the so-called vertebrobasilar system.
Cinnarizinum – dosage
The dosage of Cinnarizinum depends on the ailment that predisposes the patient to take the preparation. When it comes to taking cinnarizine by people with Meniere’s syndrome, including dizziness of unknown cause and other types of ischemic dysfunction, the dose should be 75 mg per day (1 tablet 3 times a day). This means that Cinnarizinum should be administered every 8 hours. Sometimes the initial doses of cinnarizine are doubled in order to obtain the appropriate concentration of the drug in the body and obtain a faster effect. This way of delivering the drug is called striking dose. However, Cinnarizinum can also be used as a preventative measure to prevent motion sickness and nausea. In this case, 1 tablet of cinnarizine should be taken about 2 hours before the planned trip. Subsequent doses, if necessary, should be taken no more than every 8 hours. Cinnarizinum should be administered after a meal due to the possibility of experiencing discomfort in the epigastric region. The total duration of treatment should not exceed 3 months.
Cinnarizinum – contraindications to use
Contraindications to the use of Cinnarizinum constitute a long list of various ailments. These include:
- hypersensitivity to the active substance (cinnarizine) or auxiliary components used in the preparation Cinnarizinum (lactose);
- arterial hypotension;
- porphyria (a disorder of the normal heme synthesis);
- Parkinson’s disease;
- benign prostatic hyperplasia;
- ailments related to the cardiovascular system;
- epilepsy;
- hyperthyroidism;
- glaucoma.
Cinnarizinum – warnings
Particular care should be taken when using Cinnarizinum in patients suffering from severe liver or kidney diseases. The drug should not be taken by patients suffering from lactose or fructose intolerance (due to the excipients). Cinnarizinum should not be taken by pregnant and lactating women – it has not been established whether the drug is safe for a child. Cinnarizine is an agent that may make you feel sleepy, especially at the beginning of its use. If this symptom occurs, you should refrain from driving or operating machinery.
Cinnarizinum – interactions
Cinnarizinum may interact with drugs that cause central nervous system depressant effects, such as tricyclic antidepressants (e.g. imipramine, desipramine, amitriptyline, clomipramine, opipramol). Cinnarizine should also not be combined with alcohol. In the case of planned allergy tests, the drug should be discontinued 4 days before the test (due to the antiallergic effect of cinnarizine).
Cinnarizinum – side effects
Like most drugs, Cinnarizinum may also cause some side effects. These include:
- dry mouth
- headaches,
- deterioration of mood
- somnolence,
- hypersensitivity reactions,
- excessive sweating
- increasing appetite,
- cholestatic jaundice