If you buy cinnarizine from a pharmacy, follow the instructions that come with the packet, or ask a pharmacist for advice.
If you or your child have been prescribed cinnarizine, follow your doctor's instructions about how and when to take it.
Dosage and strength
Cinnarizine comes as 15mg tablets.
Your dose will depend on why you're taking it.
For travel sickness
- Adults and children aged 12 years or older – take 2 tablets 2 hours before travel, then 1 tablet every 8 hours during the journey if needed.
- Children aged 5 to 11 years – give 1 tablet 2 hours before travel, then half a tablet every 8 hours during the journey if needed.
For dizziness and sickness caused by inner ear problems
- Adults and children aged 12 years or older – the usual dose is 2 tablets, taken 3 times a day.
- Children aged 5 to 11 years – the usual dose is 1 tablet, given 3 times a day.
How to take it
You can suck or chew the tablets, or swallow them whole with a drink of water.
It's best to take your cinnarizine tablets after a meal. It will be less likely to upset your stomach.
How long to take it for
How long you take cinnarizine for depends on why you're taking it.
For travel sickness, you only need to take cinnarizine before and during your journey.
If you're taking cinnarizine to treat sickness and dizziness caused by inner ear problems, you may need to take it for several months.
Talk to your doctor or a pharmacist if you're unsure how long you need to take your medicine for.
If you've been prescribed cinnarizine to help with inner ear problems, your symptoms may return if you stop taking it.
If you forget to take it
If you forget to take a dose of cinnarizine, take it as soon as you remember, unless it's nearly time for your next dose. In this case, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the usual time.
It's important to leave at least 8 hours between doses. Do not take 2 doses at the same time. Never take an extra dose to make up for a forgotten one.
If you forget doses often, it may help to set an alarm to remind you. You could also ask a pharmacist for advice on other ways to help you remember to take your medicine.
If you take too much
Taking too much cinnarizine can make you:
- very sleepy or confused
- feel sick or be sick
- feel weak or shaky
It can also give you a very fast, irregular or pounding heartbeat (palpitations).
Too much cinnarizine can cause a child to have a fit or seizure.
Urgent advice: Contact 111 for advice now if:
- you take more than the usual dose of cinnarizine
Go to 111.nhs.uk or call 111.
Immediate action required: Call 999 or go to A&E if:
you or your child take more than the usual dose of cinnarizine and:
- get a very fast, irregular or pounding heartbeat (palpitations)
- your child has a fit or seizure
If you need to go to A&E, do not drive. Ask someone to drive you or call 999 and ask for an ambulance.
Bring the cinnarizine packet or leaflet inside it, any remaining medicine, and any other medicines you take.