What should you know about Stugeron for nausea?

Stugeron is a brand name for cinnarizine, a medicine that can reduce signals from the balance system to the brain. That is why it is more useful for motion-related nausea or dizziness than for every possible cause of feeling sick. Nausea may also occur with acid reflux, food poisoning, gallstones, gastritis, gastroenteritis, heat exhaustion, hepatitis A or hypoglycaemia; treating the cause may matter more than suppressing the symptom.

It can make some people sleepy. Dry mouth, stomach upset or blurred vision may also occur. Alcohol and other medicines that cause drowsiness can make this effect stronger.

Follow the package directions or advice from a pharmacist, and do not take more than directed. If it is being used for a journey, timing matters, so ask a pharmacist when to take it based on the product instructions. Avoid driving, cycling or using machinery until you know how it affects you. Sip fluids, choose small bland meals and rest in a cool, well-ventilated place. Tell a clinician if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, have glaucoma, Parkinson’s disease or difficulty passing urine, or take sedatives.

Get urgent medical help for severe abdominal pain, confusion, fainting, a stiff neck, blood in vomit, trouble breathing or signs of a serious allergic reaction. Arrange medical advice if vomiting prevents fluids staying down, nausea keeps returning, or you have yellow skin, marked weakness or very little urine. A medicine may hide nausea without treating its underlying cause.

Ask whether cinnarizine fits the likely cause of your nausea, whether any current medicine could increase sleepiness, and what symptom duration should prompt an assessment.