Recommended Dosage of Cinnarizine for Motion Sickness in Children
The recommended dosage of cinnarizine for motion sickness in children is 15 mg (one tablet) given 2 hours before travel, with an additional half-tablet (7.5 mg) every 8 hours as needed during extended journeys. 1
Dosing Guidelines by Age
- For children susceptible to motion sickness, a single 15 mg cinnarizine tablet should be administered approximately 2 hours before the journey begins 1
- For extended journeys, an additional half-tablet (7.5 mg) can be given every 8 hours as needed 1
- This dosing regimen has shown good efficacy with 81% of children rating the treatment as "good" or "excellent" in clinical studies 1
Safety Considerations
- Cinnarizine is generally well-tolerated in children at the recommended dosage, with only 14% of children experiencing mild drowsiness or sleepiness 1
- Only 4% of children experienced vomiting when taking cinnarizine at the recommended dosage 1
- Caution is warranted as severe overdose can cause serious neurological complications including stupor, twitching, and seizures 2
- A documented case of cinnarizine toxicity occurred in a 30-month-old who ingested 225 mg (18 times the recommended dose), resulting in stupor, twitching, and seizures 2
Pharmacokinetics and Timing
- The onset of action for cinnarizine is slower than some other motion sickness medications, with effects typically occurring 5-7 hours after administration 3
- This slower onset necessitates administration well before travel begins 3
- The elimination half-life of cinnarizine in a pediatric overdose case was calculated to be approximately 3.65 hours 2
Efficacy Compared to Other Treatments
- In children who had previously used other motion sickness medications, 69% rated cinnarizine as "better" or "much better" than their previous treatments 1
- Antihistamines like cinnarizine are probably more effective than placebo at preventing motion sickness symptoms under natural conditions (40% vs 25% prevention rate) 4
- When compared to scopolamine, the evidence regarding comparative efficacy is uncertain 4
Monitoring and Precautions
- Children should be monitored for potential side effects, particularly sedation, which may occur more frequently with antihistamines compared to placebo (66% vs 44%) 4
- Cognitive impairment and blurred vision appear to be less common side effects with antihistamines used for motion sickness 4
- In case of suspected overdose, children should be observed in a healthcare facility for potential neurological complications 2
Clinical Application Tips
- For optimal effectiveness, ensure the medication is given 2 hours before travel begins 1
- Consider the duration of the journey when determining if additional doses will be needed 1
- The medication appears to be most effective when used prophylactically rather than after symptoms have begun 1
- Physicians who have prescribed cinnarizine for children with motion sickness have reported high satisfaction, with nearly all willing to prescribe it again based on clinical experience 1