Common side effects
These common side effects of cinnarizine happen in more than 1 in 100 people. There are things you can do to help cope with them:
Feeling sleepy during the daytime
Stop what you're doing and sit or lie down until you feel better. Do not drive, cycle or use tools or machinery if you're feeling drowsy. Do not drink alcohol as it will make you feel worse.
Try a different anti-sickness medicine. If this does not help, talk to your doctor.
Feeling sick or being sick (nausea or vomiting)
Stick to simple meals and do not eat rich or spicy food. It might help to take your cinnarizine after you've eaten.
If you're being sick, try small frequent sips of water to avoid dehydration. Signs of dehydration include peeing less than usual or having strong-smelling pee.
If you take the combined contraceptive pill or progestogen-only pill and you're being sick, your contraception may not protect you from pregnancy. Check the pill packet for advice.
Putting on weight
Speak to a doctor or pharmacist if the advice on how to cope does not help and a side effect is still bothering you or does not go away.
Serious side effects
Call a doctor or call 111 now if you have:
- slow, twitchy or jerky body movements, muscle stiffness, trembling or shaking – this is more likely to happen in older people who have taken cinnarizine for a long time
- yellowing of the whites of your eyes or your skin (although this may be more difficult to see on brown or black skin), and dark pee – these can be signs of liver problems
- joint pain along with a red skin rash, especially in parts of your body exposed to the sun, such as your arms, cheeks and nose
Serious allergic reaction
In rare cases, it's possible to have a serious allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) to cinnarizine.
Immediate action required: Call 999 now if:
- your lips, mouth, throat or tongue suddenly become swollen
- you're breathing very fast or struggling to breathe (you may become very wheezy or feel like you're choking or gasping for air)
- your throat feels tight or you're struggling to swallow
- your skin, tongue or lips turn blue, grey or pale (if you have black or brown skin, this may be easier to see on the palms of your hands or soles of your feet)
- you suddenly become very confused, drowsy or dizzy
- someone faints and cannot be woken up
- a child is limp, floppy or not responding like they normally do (their head may fall to the side, backwards or forwards, or they may find it difficult to lift their head or focus on your face)
You or the person who's unwell may also have a rash that's swollen, raised, itchy, blistered or peeling.
These can be signs of a serious allergic reaction and may need immediate treatment in hospital.
Other side effects
These are not all the side effects of cinnarizine. For a full list, see the leaflet inside your medicine packet.
You can report any suspected side effect using the Yellow Card safety scheme.