Cinnarizine-induced parkinsonism: ten years later

Mov Disord. 1998 May;13(3):453-6. doi: 10.1002/mds.870130313.

Abstract

A retrospective study was carried out to investigate the evolution of patients diagnosed with cinnarizine-induced parkinsonism (CIP) over the past 15 years. A total of 74 cases of CIP were found among 172 patients with drug-induced parkinsonism (DIP). Both CIP and other DIP were significantly more frequent in women. No clinical differences between CIP and other DIP were found. Most of the patients (66 of 74) completely recovered after cinnarizine withdrawal in 1-16 months. Eleven patients later developed Parkinson's disease; four of them had previously recovered. Five patients had tardive dyskinesia. CIP accounts for a high proportion of DIP referred to neurologists in populations in which cinnarizine is widely prescribed. The symptoms typically resolve after drug withdrawal, although complete recovery may take more than 1 year.

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Cinnarizine / administration & dosage
  • Cinnarizine / adverse effects*
  • Dizziness / drug therapy
  • Dyskinesia, Drug-Induced / diagnosis
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Long-Term Care
  • Male
  • Neurologic Examination / drug effects
  • Parkinson Disease, Secondary / chemically induced*
  • Parkinson Disease, Secondary / diagnosis
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Spain
  • Substance Withdrawal Syndrome / diagnosis
  • Vertebrobasilar Insufficiency / drug therapy

Substances

  • Cinnarizine