Stugeron Tablet is the trade name of Cinnarizine, which is an anti-histaminic agent and a calcium channel blocker. It is the most commonly used drug in many countries for motion sickness and vertigo.
Uses & Benefits of Stugeron:
Stugeron Tablet is most commonly prescribed for vertigo, migraines, and motion sickness.
- Vertigo and Vestibular disorders: Vertigo is a symptom of feeling as if the patient or objects around the patient are moving when there is actually no movement. Some patients describe it as a feeling of rotating or spinning around or swaying movements. Vertigo is usually associated with nausea, vomiting, light-headedness and sweating. It is commonly seen in middle ear disorders such as Meniere’s disease, labyrinthitis, uneven pressure between two ears and benign paroxysmal positional vertigo. Stugeron (Cinnarizine) has been proven to be very effective in treating the symptoms of vertigo in all these conditions.
- Meniere’s Disease: Meniere’s disease is an idiopathic disorder of the inner ear characterized by episodes of vertigo, tinnitus, the fullness of ear and hearing loss. It has been postulated that symptoms may probably arise due to the building up of fluid in the inner ear and labyrinth of the ear. Symptomatic relief is offered by Stugeron (Cinnarizine) which reduces nausea, vomiting and other symptoms of Meniere’s disease.
- Migraine: Migraine is a headache disorder characterized by recurrent attacks of moderate to severe headache. It is usually preceded by an aura. It is also accompanied by nausea, vomiting and undue increased sensitivity to light, sound or smell. Stugeron Tablet is useful to decrease migraine symptoms in affected individuals.
- Motion Sickness: Motion or travel sickness occurs whenever there is disagreement between the middle ear’s sensory perception of movement and the eye’s visual perception of movement. This is accompanied by nausea, vomiting, dizziness and fatigue. Stugeron (Cinnarizine) taken intermittently during travel greatly reduces symptoms and provides relief from travel sickness.
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Side Effects of Stugeron:
The most common side effects that occur when patients take Stugeron Tablet for a short duration are as follows:
- Abdominal discomfort
- Abdominal pain
- Drowsiness
- Weakness
- Nausea and vomiting
- Headache
- Weight Gain
- Indigestion and dyspepsia
- Excessive sweating
- Unusual tiredness
- Dry mouth
- Excessive salivation
- Depression
- Muscle stiffness
- Twitching of muscles
- Swelling of face, hands and feet
- Fatigue
- Weight gain
- Depression
- Tremors
- Secondary Parkinson’s disease
- Severe skin rashes
- Swelling of face, lips, tongue and vocal cords
- Difficulty in breathing
- Sudden severe diarrhea
- Sudden severe nausea and vomiting
- Tingling of hands, fingers, toes and feet followed by weakness
Long-term use of Stugeron Tablet more than the duration recommended by a physician may result in the following symptoms. If a patient develops a severe anaphylactic reaction to Stugeron, consultation with an emergency care physician is mandatory. The adverse reactions may include
The above list is not all-inclusive and if the patient experiences any unexplained symptom, he should immediately seek the advice of a registered medical practitioner.
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Common Dosages of Stugeron:
Stugeron Tablet (Cinnarizine) is an oral medication and is usually administered per oral twice or thrice daily for middle ear disorders causing problems with balance. In case of motion sickness, the drug is preferably taken one tablet 2 hours before travel orally and once every 4 hours during travel to avoid nausea and vomiting induced by travel.
Stugeron Tablet begins to act within about an hour after oral administration and its effect may last up to 6-8 hours.
The above-mentioned are only the general recommended dosage. Every individual’s condition and metabolism are different. Dosage will depend on the age of the patient, gender, the severity of the current medical condition, previous medical conditions, and other factors. Hence, it is highly recommended that Stugeron (Cinnarizine) be taken according to the advice of a registered medical practitioner.
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Composition and Nature of Stugeron:
Stugeron Tablet contains 25 mg of the active ingredient Cinnarizine. Cinnarizine belongs to the diphenylmethylpiperazine group of drugs. It acts as both an antihistaminic and a calcium channel blocker. Additionally, it also exhibits antiserotonergic and antidopaminergic actions.
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How Stugeron Tablet works?
Mechanism of Action of Stugeron (Cinnarizine)
Cinnarizine is a selective antagonist of T-type voltage-gated calcium ion channels in type II vestibular hair cells of the inner ear. Thus, it blocks the channels and keeps them inert resulting in a stoppage of influx of calcium ions through the cell membrane. This results in reduced sensitivity to vestibular receptors and hence relief from motion-induced sickness symptoms and migraine symptoms.
Cinnarizine also acts as an antihistaminic by binding to H1 histamine receptors and blocking them. This way it prevents histamine from activating the receptors. Apart from these effects, Cinnarizine (Stugeron) also blocks serotonin and dopamine receptors exerting antiserotonergic and antidopaminergic actions.
Precautions and Warning – When to avoid Stugeron Tablet?
During initial treatment, Stugeron Tablet may cause drowsiness and excessive sleepiness. People operating heavy machinery or driving long distances are advised to exercise caution as the medication may make the patient feel dizzy, sleepy, tired, and decrease alertness. Stugeron is best avoided in pregnant and lactating mothers as studies are still pending on the safety of cinnarizine in both these conditions.
Cinnarizine accentuates the depressing effects of alcohol and when taken concomitantly may cause excessive drowsiness and loss of consciousness.
Similarly, Cinnarizine should be avoided when other central nervous system drugs such as tricyclic antidepressants or CNS depressants are being used by the patient.
In patients with hepatic or renal insufficiency, precautionary measures have to be taken as there are no reports regarding the safe use of cinnarizine in such conditions. Dose adjustment may be necessary or dose alteration with another drug may be required. Hence Stugeron Tablet should only be taken after consultation with a registered physician.
Parkinson’s disease patients should be prescribed Stugeron sparingly or only when the benefits outweigh the risks. Patients with Porphyria should preferably avoid the drug due to an increase in adverse effects.
In patients taking drugs such as Amitriptyline, Tramadol, Chlorpromazine, or Diazepam, close and frequent monitoring is essential when Stugeron Tablet is co-administered as there may be synergistic depressant effects on the Central Nervous system.
Substitutes for Stugeron Tablet:
- Cinwox 25 mg
- Diziron 25 mg
- Dizzigo 25 mg
- Vergo 25 mg
- Vertiron 25 mg
- Vertigon 25 mg
- Cintigo 25 mg
- Sinarzine 25 mg
- Cinn
- Cinzan
- Stedicin
- Stugil
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