Cinnarizine

Cinnarizine

File:Cinnarizine.png
Clinical data
ATC code	N07CA02 (WHO)
Identifiers
IUPAC name 1-benzhydryl-4-cinnamyl-piperazine
CAS Number	298-57-7
PubChem CID	2761
DrugBank	APRD00332
E number	{{#property:P628}}
ECHA InfoCard	{{#property:P2566}}
Chemical and physical data
Formula	C26H28N2
Molar mass	368.514 g/mol

Cinnarizine is an anti-histaminic drug which is mainly used for the control of vomiting due to motion sickness. Cinnarizine was first synthesized by Janssen Pharmaceutica in 1955.

It acts by interfering with the signal transmission between vestibular apparatus of the inner ear and the vomiting centre of the hypothalamus. The disparity of signal processing between inner ear motion receptors and the visual senses is abolished, so that the confusion of brain whether the individual is moving or standing is reduced. Vomiting in motion sickness is actually a physiological compensatory mechanism of the brain to keep the individual from moving so that it can adjust to the signal perception.

Cinnarizine could be also viewed as a nootropic drug because of its vasorelaxating abilities (due to calcium channel blockage), which happen mostly in brain. It is also effectively combined with other nootropics, primarily piracetam; in such combination each drug potentiate the other in boosting brain oxygen supply.

References

• Barrett RJ Jr, Zolov B, A clinical evaluation of cinnarizine (Mitronal) in various allergic disorders, J Maine Med Assoc. 1960 Dec;51:454-7.
• Towse G., Cinnarizine--a labyrinthine sedative, J Laryngol Otol. 1980 Sep;94(9):1009-15.