Cinnarizine (Stugeron): What It Is and How It's Used for Motion Sickness

Educational summary · drug class: Sedating (first-generation) antihistamine with calcium-channel-blocking activity; antiemetic/antivertigo agent · last reviewed 2026-06-29

What it is

Cinnarizine is a sedating, first-generation antihistamine that also has calcium-channel-blocking activity, which is why it is sometimes described as an antihistamine with calcium-channel-blocker properties. In the UK it is available both as a pharmacy medicine (e.g., Stugeron) and on prescription; another brand is Cinaziere. It is not approved by the US FDA and is not available in the United States. Availability and legal status differ by country, so check local rules.

Availability: UK: pharmacy and prescription (e.g., Stugeron). US: not FDA-approved, not available. Varies by country. Legal status, brand names, and availability vary by country — check what applies where you live.

How it may help with motion sickness

Motion sickness arises from conflicting movement signals between the inner ear's balance organs and the brain. As a sedating antihistamine, cinnarizine blocks histamine activity in the brain and dampens these conflicting inner-ear/brain signals, which the NHS and patient.info describe as reducing the nausea and dizziness of travel sickness. Its calcium-channel effect on inner-ear blood flow is also relevant to its use in vertigo.

General timing

For travel sickness, NHS and label guidance generally direct taking the first dose about 2 hours before travel, with further doses during the journey if needed, often after a meal to reduce stomach upset. This is general guidance only and depends on the product and the person's age. We do not provide dosing instructions — follow the product leaflet or the advice of your doctor or pharmacist.

We don't provide dosing instructions. The exact amount, schedule, and whether it suits you are individual decisions — read the product label and follow its directions, and ask a doctor or pharmacist.

Common side effects

Sources such as the product label commonly list:

• Drowsiness or sleepiness (most common; reported in fewer than 1 in 10 people)
• Headache
• Dry mouth
• Indigestion or stomach upset
• Nausea or vomiting
• Weight gain with longer-term use

Who should check with a doctor or pharmacist first

• Pregnancy: the NHS states cinnarizine is not usually recommended during pregnancy; discuss alternatives with a clinician.
• Breastfeeding: can usually be used if the baby is healthy, but short-term use is preferred; watch the baby for drowsiness or feeding problems and seek advice.
• Children: not for children under 5; use in children should follow age-specific directions or professional advice.
• Older adults: higher risk of movement disorders such as tremor, stiffness, or drug-induced parkinsonism, especially with long-term use.
• Do not drive or use machinery if it makes you sleepy, dizzy, or unable to concentrate; judging whether it is safe to drive is your responsibility.
• Avoid alcohol — combining it can cause pronounced drowsiness.
• Use only on professional advice if you have porphyria, severe liver disease, Parkinson's disease, epilepsy or seizures, angle-closure glaucoma, or prostate, urinary, or bladder-emptying problems, or a cinnarizine allergy.
• Can affect skin allergy-test results — you may need to stop it several days before testing. Check with a pharmacist or doctor before combining it with other medicines or anything that causes drowsiness.

Frequently asked questions

This page is for general educational and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice and is not a substitute for the advice of a qualified healthcare professional. Dizzout is not a medical provider — we are not doctors or pharmacists. The information here is a general summary drawn from sources such as the FDA-approved label and other public health resources, and it may not reflect the most current changes; the official product label is the authoritative source. Whether any medicine is right for you, and how much to take, are individual decisions that depend on your health, age, and other medicines. We do not provide dosing instructions — always read the product label and follow its directions. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before starting, stopping, or changing any medication, and never disregard or delay professional medical advice because of something you read here. If you think you may have a medical emergency, contact a doctor or your local emergency number immediately.