Details

Cinnarizine is an antihistamine and a calcium channel blocker. Histamines mediate a number of activities such as contraction of smooth muscle of the airways and gastrointestinal tract, vasodilatation, cardiac stimulation, secretion of gastric acid, promotion of interleukin release and chemotaxis of eosinophils and mast cells. Competitive antagonists at histamine H1 receptors may be divided into first (sedating) and second (non-sedating) generation agents. Some, such as Cinnarizine also block muscarinic acetylcholine receptors and are used as anti-emetic agents. Cinnarizine, through its calcium channel blocking ability also inhibits stimulation of the vestibular system. It is used for the treatment of vertigo/meniere's disease, nausea and vomiting, motion sickness and also useful for vestibular symptoms of other origins.

Typical Uses

Cinnarizine is used for the treatment of motion sickness and certain ear diseases that affect the balance and can cause nausea, vomiting, attacks of dizziness or spinning sensations (vertigo) and sensations of ringing or other noise in the ears (tinnitus).

Side Effects

The severe or irreversible adverse effects of Cinnarizine, which give rise to further complications, include Tardive dyskinesia, Parkinsonism, Extra pyramidal symptoms. Cinnarizine produces potentially life-threatening effects which include respiratory depression, convulsions, drowsiness, which are responsible for the discontinuation of Cinnarizine therapy.

Drug Interactions

There are no drug interactions available for Cinnarizine.

Mechanism of action

Cinnarizine acts by interfering with the signal transmission between vestibular apparatus of the inner ear and the vomiting centre of the hypothalamus. The disparity of signal processing between inner ear motion receptors and the visual senses is abolished, so that the confusion of brain whether the individual is moving or standing is reduced. Vomiting in motion sickness is actually a physiological compensatory mechanism of the brain to keep the individual from moving so that it can adjust to the signal perception.

Pregnancy Category : C