Cinnarizine and dimenhydrinate in the treatment of vertigo in medical practice

Wien Klin Wochenschr. 2016 May;128(9-10):341-7. doi: 10.1007/s00508-015-0905-5. Epub 2015 Dec 11.

Abstract

The efficacy and safety of the fixed combination of cinnarizine 20 mg and dimenhydrinate 40 mg in the treatment of vertigo of various origins have been investigated in a prospective, noninterventional study involving private practices throughout Germany. A total of 1275 patients with an average age of 61.2 years participated in the study. The vertigo symptoms, measured by a validated mean vertigo score (primary efficacy endpoint) improved by 61 % in the course of the observational period (median: 6 weeks). Concomitant symptoms frequently associated with vertigo such as nausea, vomiting and tinnitus were also markedly reduced by 84, 85 and 51 %, respectively. Overall efficacy has been rated by the physicians as 'very much improved' or 'much improved' in 95 % of the patients. A total of 47 patients (3.7 %) reported 51 adverse drug reactions (all nonserious). The results indicate a good tolerability and efficacy of the fixed combination of cinnarizine and dimenhydrinate in the treatment of vertigo in daily medical practice, which is in line with previous findings of numerous interventional, randomised, double-blind, controlled clinical trials.

Keywords: Cinnarizine; Dimenhydrinate; Fixed combination; Noninterventional study; Vertigo.

Publication types

  • Observational Study

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Age Distribution
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Antiemetics / therapeutic use
  • Cinnarizine / therapeutic use*
  • Dimenhydrinate / therapeutic use*
  • Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions / epidemiology*
  • Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions / prevention & control*
  • Female
  • Germany / epidemiology
  • Histamine H1 Antagonists / therapeutic use
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Prevalence
  • Risk Factors
  • Sex Distribution
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Vertigo / diagnosis
  • Vertigo / drug therapy*
  • Vertigo / epidemiology*
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Antiemetics
  • Histamine H1 Antagonists
  • Cinnarizine
  • Dimenhydrinate