Cinnarizine

ATC code

N07CA02

Therapeutic class

Antivertigo preparations · Antivertigo preparations

Forms

oral capsule

Brand names

Stugeron (ES)

Overall confidence

medium

Regulatory sources consulted

Approved indications

Treatment of symptoms of vestibular balance disorders, such as vertigo, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, and tinnitus.
Prophylaxis of motion sickness.

Contraindications

Absolute

Hypersensitivity to the active substance or to any of the excipients. Recent cerebral hemorrhage.

Clinical warnings

Major warning · May aggravate or induce extrapyramidal symptoms, especially in elderly patients with long-term use. Use with caution in patients with Parkinson's disease. — AEMPS SPC

Drug interactions

ModerateCNS depressants (incl. alcohol)N05B
Mechanism: Additive sedative effect due to central H1 receptor antagonism.
Recommendation: Avoid concomitant use, especially when driving or operating machinery, due to potentiation of somnolence.
AEMPS SPC

Adverse events

Common (≥1%)

somnolence · nausea

Rare but serious

extrapyramidal symptoms · lupus erythematosus · lichen planus

Pregnancy and lactation

FDA category: Not Recommended

Use during pregnancy is not recommended. Use during lactation is not recommended due to lack of data on its excretion in human milk.

Recent literature (PubMed)

Efficacy and safety of the cinnarizine/dimenhydrinate combination versus betahistine in the treatment of vertigo: A systematic literature review.
Martín-Enguix D, et al. · Acta Otorrinolaringol Esp (Engl Ed) · 2025 · Relevance 4/5
Revisión sistemática de 9 estudios que compara la combinación a dosis fija de cinarizina/dimenhidrinato con betahistina para el vértigo. La combinación mostró una eficacia clínica superior desde la primera semana y un perfil de tolerabilidad más favorable, apoyando su uso preferencial en el síndrome vestibular agudo.