Evigrade
DrugsCosmetic ingredientsCalculatorsInteractionsEvigrade SkinEvigrade Meds ↗
ConditionsJournalMethodologyPro for practitioners
ESRU

Cinnarizine

AEMPS

Calcium channel blocker with antihistamine activity

ATC code: N07CA02

Updated · Methodology

Indications

C

Vertigo

Second line

Used in vestibular vertigo from various causes as a symptomatic agent. Dose 25–50 mg three times daily. Cochrane 2018 showed moderate efficacy over placebo with low certainty. Not recommended in patients over 65 (Beers 2023) – falls, cognitive impairment, and drug-induced parkinsonism risk outweigh the modest symptomatic benefit. Course limited to 4 weeks.

Sources

  1. AEMPS: Ficha técnica de Cinarizina (2024)
  2. Bárány Society: Diagnostic criteria for benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (2015)

ICD-10: H81.9 · ICD-11: MB48.0

Marketing claims without evidence base

The drug is promoted for these uses outside international guidelines. Each entry below is analyzed against AEMPS, FDA, EMA, Cochrane and major RCTs.

F

Memory and concentration enhancement

Not recommended

Cinnarizine is a calcium channel blocker prescribed widely in Russia to older adults for cerebral malnutrition, cognitive decline, and brain circulation improvement. Cinnarizine is not approved in the US or UK. The AEMPS Ficha Técnica limits cinnarizine to vertigo and Meniere's disease. Cochrane reviews do not support cinnarizine for vertebrobasilar insufficiency as an independent diagnosis. In older adults the drug causes parkinsonian symptoms: tremor, rigidity, slowed movement, depression, sometimes persisting after discontinuation. If cinnarizine was prescribed for brain circulation or memory, consider seeking a second opinion.

Sources

  1. AEMPS: Ficha técnica de Cinarizina (2024)
  2. Cochrane: Ginkgo biloba for cognitive impairment and dementia (2009)
How to read tiers A–F
  • AStrong evidence – first or second line in international guidelines
  • BRecommended in selected cases
  • CStudy data contradict each other
  • DBenefit not proven, no documented harm
  • FDocumented harm, or risk without benefit

Mechanism of action

A selective L-type calcium channel blocker in vascular smooth muscle and vestibular neurons. Also blocks H1-histamine and dopamine D2 receptors – driving marked sedation and extrapyramidal risk. Crosses the blood-brain barrier well. Half-life 3–6 hours, dosed three times daily. In older adults, on the 2023 Beers list – risk of falls, cognitive impairment, and drug-induced parkinsonism with prolonged use.

Safety

Contraindications

  • Cinnarizine hypersensitivity
  • Parkinson's disease and other extrapyramidal disorders
  • Current or past depression
  • Severe hepatic impairment
  • Age over 65 (relative contraindication per Beers 2023)
  • Pregnancy and lactation

Serious adverse effects

  • Drug-induced parkinsonism (tremor, rigidity, bradykinesia)
  • Depression
  • Tardive dyskinesia with long-term use
  • Hepatotoxicity (rare)
  • Paradoxical reactions in older adults

Common adverse effects

  • Drowsiness
  • Weight gain
  • Dry mouth
  • Fatigue
  • GI complaints

Pregnancy: can you take Cinnarizine?

Safety not established. Not recommended in pregnancy.

Breastfeeding: can you take Cinnarizine?

No data. Not used during lactation.

Calculate RIDFull profile on NIH LactMed ↗

Reference information, not a clinical decision. Discuss feeding pauses or changes with your physician or an IBCLC.

Practical notes

Common myths

Myth: «Stugeron is a harmless vertigo remedy you can take for years.» Fact: use beyond 6–12 months in older patients has been linked to drug-induced parkinsonism, depression, weight gain, and cognitive decline. Symptoms are reversible after stopping but may go unnoticed. Cinnarizine and its analogue flunarizine are on the 2023 Beers list as potentially inappropriate in older adults. Stop the drug if tremor, slowed movement, apathy, or gait disturbance emerges.

Check interaction with another drug

Opens the checker prefilled with this drug. Pick the second one from your regimen.

Open checker

Summary of a multi-drug list →

Medicine list: everything you take in one place →

Frequently asked

What is Cinnarizine used for?

Cinnarizine is evaluated for the following indications with varying evidence strength: Vertigo (evidence tier C), Memory and concentration enhancement (evidence tier F). See the full indication matrix with dosing and citations above on this page.

What are the side effects of Cinnarizine?

Common side effects of Cinnarizine (≥ 1 in 100): Drowsiness, Weight gain, Dry mouth, Fatigue, GI complaints. See the Safety section for uncommon and serious reactions.

Is Cinnarizine safe during pregnancy?

Safety not established. Not recommended in pregnancy.

Is Cinnarizine compatible with breastfeeding?

No data. Not used during lactation.

Who should not take Cinnarizine?

Cinnarizine is contraindicated in: Cinnarizine hypersensitivity; Parkinson's disease and other extrapyramidal disorders; Current or past depression; Severe hepatic impairment; Age over 65 (relative contraindication per Beers 2023). Full list in the Safety section.

Official sources

Direct links to regulator labels. Open in a new tab.

Other drugs in this group

Betahistine, Choline alfoscerate, Disulfiram, Flunarizine, Methadone, Nicotine