Perifas

Quick links to important sections

Medically reviewed

Rosario Oropesa

Last updated on 22/12/2025

This page provides general, reference-level information compiled from official medical sources. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. For decisions about your health, please consult a qualified healthcare professional.

Overview of Perifas

Property Description
Active ingredient Cinnarizine (INN)
Form Tablets (Oral consumption)
Pharmacological class Antihistamine and Calcium Channel Blocker (CCB)
General Purpose Vestibular system stabilization
Origin Synthetic

Perifas is a medicinal entity presented as a synthetic, single-ingredient pharmaceutical preparation for oral consumption. The active substance in Perifas is Cinnarizine, which is the internationally recognized non-proprietary name (INN) for the compound. The medicine is manufactured in the solid dosage form of tablets, utilizing standard pharmaceutical excipients as a base vehicle. As a product of chemical synthesis, Cinnarizine belongs to the diphenylmethylpiperazine group. This precise, single-ingredient composition ensures that its pharmacological effects are consistent and directly attributable to this core chemical entity.


What Pharmacological Class Does Perifas Belong To?

Perifas belongs to a unique pharmacological grouping, classified as an antivertigo preparation with action as both a first-generation sedating antihistamine and a mild Calcium Channel Blocker (CCB). This dual classification is clinically recognized as beneficial for managing symptoms related to inner ear disorders.

Its specialized role as a mild CCB allows it to influence the vascular system, primarily by blocking calcium channels to cause cerebral vasorelaxation. This combination of effects provides a profound labyrinthine sedative action, which is the core mechanism enabling vestibular system stabilization. The general purpose of the medicine is to modulate sensory input and improve microcirculation, thereby mitigating feelings of unsteadiness, dizziness, and motion discomfort stemming from inner ear or circulatory imbalances.

What side effects are possible with Perifas?

The safety profile of Perifas (Cinnarizine) is officially documented by regulatory authorities, classifying potential adverse reactions primarily by frequency and the body system affected.

Frequency-Classified Adverse Reactions

Adverse effects are categorized based on their incidence rate in clinical use:

  • Common (may affect up to 1 in 10 people): Somnolence (drowsiness), Nausea, and Weight Increased.
  • Uncommon (may affect up to 1 in 100 people): Vomiting, Upper Abdominal Pain, Dyspepsia, Hyperhidrosis (increased sweating), and Fatigue.
  • Frequency Not Known: This category includes events that cannot be estimated from available data, such as Extrapyramidal Disorder, Parkinsonism, Tremor, Dyskinesia, Cholestatic Jaundice, and certain dermatological reactions like Lichen Planus.

These effects are grouped into System-Organ Classes, most notably impacting the Nervous System (somnolence, extrapyramidal disorders) and Gastrointestinal System (nausea, abdominal pain), as per official labeling.

Population-Specific Safety Statements

Regulatory documents include specific safety considerations for certain patient groups. The elderly have a documented increased risk of Extrapyramidal Symptoms (e.g., Parkinsonism) during prolonged therapy. For patients with Parkinson's Disease, the medicine should only be administered when the advantages outweigh the risk of aggravating the existing condition. Use during pregnancy and lactation is generally not recommended due to lack of established safety data. Additionally, the label notes that the medicine should be used with care in patients with hepatic or renal insufficiency and is generally avoided in individuals with Porphyria.

Overdose and Emergency Response

Overdose and when to seek help

In the event of a suspected overdose of Perifas (Cinnarizine), government regulatory guidance mandates that you seek medical attention immediately and contact a poison control center without delay. Immediate medical help is required due to the potential for severe clinical manifestations and outcomes documented in official reports.

The official overdose profile describes clinical signs related to central nervous system (CNS) effects. Documented manifestations include alterations in consciousness, which may range from somnolence to stupor and ultimately coma. Other documented effects include vomiting, hypotonia (reduced muscle tone), and the appearance of extrapyramidal symptoms, with these presentations primarily attributed to the compound's anticholinergic activity.

Severe outcomes, including the occurrence of seizures, have been reported, particularly in young children. Additionally, official reports confirm that deaths have been documented following overdoses, especially in cases involving multiple substances. Acute overdoses have been cited across a reported dose range of 90 mg to 2,250 mg.

Management is restricted to symptomatic and supportive care, as regulatory labeling explicitly states that no specific antidote is known. The administration of activated charcoal may be considered as a supportive measure, conditional on presentation within one hour of ingesting a potentially toxic dose (exceeding 15 mg/kg).

Therapeutic Uses of Perifas

The core utility of Perifas (Cinnarizine) is in providing supportive symptomatic relief across conditions where functional stability becomes affected. The medicine is commonly used to help with symptoms related to inner ear function and motion. It is relevant in contexts marked by increased discomfort or tension, assisting with maintaining functional stability during difficult episodes.

The medicine is utilized in the symptomatic management for conditions involving the inner ear, such as vertigo, Ménière's disease, and tinnitus, as well as being relevant for easing symptoms associated with motion discomfort.

⌞ Support for Balance and Inner Ear Symptoms

This domain is applied in clinical settings that involve acute or unstable symptom patterns, such as those related to inner ear disorders. Perifas is commonly used across conditions characterized by periods of heightened symptoms, and is used for managing symptom clusters that may become intense or disruptive. This supports the patient during difficult episodes by easing distress and contributes to easing the overall symptom load.

Quick Fact: Symptomatic Support for Dizziness and Nausea
Perifas assists in addressing groups of symptoms that may appear suddenly or intensify over time, providing supportive relief when symptoms interfere with routine activities.

Symptomatic Assistance for Travel

Perifas is also applicable within clinical settings that involve situational discomfort, and is relevant for easing symptoms associated with motion discomfort. Used when groups of symptoms appear suddenly, such as nausea and vomiting, it assists in addressing symptoms that create noticeable functional strain. This provides supportive relief when symptoms are more noticeable during travel, supporting general well-being during symptomatic phases.

Eligibility and Restrictions for Use

Official Population Eligibility for Perifas

Regulatory documents define strict rules regarding who can and cannot use Perifas (Cinnarizine), primarily based on age, pre-existing conditions, and physiological status.

Absolute Contraindications

Use of the medicine is officially forbidden in certain populations:

  • Patients with known hypersensitivity to cinnarizine or any components of the formulation.
  • Individuals diagnosed with porphyria must avoid use.
  • Children under five years of age are generally considered contraindicated for treatment.
  • Populations with specific hereditary disorders (e.g., galactose intolerance), based on formulation excipients.

Restricted and Conditional Use

Use is limited or requires caution in the following groups, as stated in regulatory labels:

  • Parkinson's Disease: The medicine should only be administered if the established benefits officially outweigh the risk of the disease being aggravated.
  • Hepatic or Renal Insufficiency: Use requires care in patients with impaired liver or kidney function.
  • Pregnancy and Lactation: Use during pregnancy is not advisable as safety has not been officially established; use is not recommended for nursing mothers due to a lack of data on excretion into breast milk.

What should I know about interactions with other medicines?

Interactions with other medicines and products

Official regulatory documents classify the interaction profile of Perifas (Cinnarizine) based on pharmacodynamic effects and procedural constraints.

Pharmacodynamic Interaction Profile

The most significant restriction is the formal contraindication with alcohol due to the potential for marked potentiation of sedative and central nervous system (CNS) depressant effects. This additive action extends to other CNS depressants, including categories such as opioid analgesics, hypnotics, sedatives, anxiolytics, and tricyclic antidepressants; co-administration may result in enhanced sedation.

Furthermore, because Cinnarizine is an antihistamine with antimuscarinic properties, using it concurrently with other anticholinergic agents may lead to additive antimuscarinic effects. Due to its mild calcium channel blocker activity, a potential additive hypotensive effect exists when co-administered with other hypotensive agents.

Procedural and Diagnostic Interference

The medicine is documented to interfere with certain clinical procedures. Due to its antihistamine action, Cinnarizine must be discontinued for several days (typically noted as within four days) prior to using dermal reactivity indicators such as skin prick tests, as its presence can prevent an expected positive reaction. Additionally, the drug's effect may mask the warning signs of inner ear damage caused by ototoxic medicines.

Mechanism of Action

Receptor-Mediated Signaling Modulation

Perifas acts within domains involving receptor- or enzyme-mediated signaling to modulate activity within systems exhibiting high signaling output. It targets specific G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) or ion channels, either as an agonist or inverse agonist, to modify the cell's immediate electrical or chemical state. This initial molecular binding initiates a cascade that alters the transmembrane potential and signal transduction parameters of target cellular systems.

Key Pathway Cascade Inhibition

The compound modifies early molecular steps, thereby initiating or suppressing signaling sequences. It influences pathways associated with cellular stress, such as the modulation of specific cytokines or secondary messenger systems. This molecular modification restricts the amplification of mediator-driven activity, resulting in a reduction of previously elevated signaling activity within targeted processes.

Influence on Altered Cellular Signaling Dynamics

Perifas engages mechanisms that directly influence processes characterized by altered cellular signaling dynamics driven by distinct signaling patterns. It may involve antioxidant properties, such as scavenging reactive oxygen species (ROS) or attenuating the production of key growth factors. This mechanism alters the fidelity of intercellular communication and impacts the downstream effects of prolonged cellular excitation.

Dosage and Administration Information

How to Use Perifas: Official Dosing and Administration

Perifas (Cinnarizine) is designed solely for oral administration in the form of tablets. To facilitate proper administration and minimize gastric irritation, the medicine must be taken after meals or with food. The tablets may be swallowed whole, chewed, or sucked with a drink of water.


Standard Labeled Dosing Regimens

Official dosing and frequency are dependent upon the specific usage context, with the maximum recommended daily dosage generally not exceeding 225 mg.

Usage Context Standard Adult Dose Frequency and Timing
Balance Disorders 25 mg Three times daily; dose may be increased progressively
Motion Discomfort (Initial) 25 mg to 50 mg Taken 30 minutes to 2 hours before travel
Motion Discomfort (Maintenance) 25 mg Repeated every 6 or 8 hours during the journey, if needed

Administration Rules for Specific Populations

Administration is generally not recommended for children under 5 years of age. For motion discomfort, children aged 5 to 11 years are typically given a dose that is half the adult dose. Patients with hepatic or renal impairment should use the medicine with care, though specific routine dose adjustments are not uniformly mandated.

In the event a dose is missed, the standard procedure is to skip the missed dose and take the next dose at the usual time, maintaining a minimum of 8 hours between administrations. Treatment for balance disorders may involve long-term use for several months, while use for motion discomfort is intermittent and limited to the duration of the journey.

Recent Clinical Evidence

Perifas: Recent Clinical Evidence

This section summarizes the official research record for Cinnarizine, focusing on the types of clinical studies that have been conducted, the populations included, and the specific outcomes that were measured in those trials.

Evidence for Use in Vestibular Vertigo

Research examined short-term symptom changes in adult populations experiencing vertigo, a condition characterized by functional imbalance and fluctuating episodes. Studies primarily measured change in scores related to physical discomfort, such as the feeling of unsteadiness or rotation, and reported score changes over the short follow-up period. This evidence contributes to understanding symptom patterns, though certainty remains lower when assessing the single-ingredient Cinnarizine compared to fixed-dose combination products.

Evidence for Use in Symptoms of Inner Ear Disorders

Studies explored outcomes related to conditions associated with acute or disruptive episodes, such as Ménière’s disease, monitoring the frequency of acute symptom phases. Research examined populations where symptoms may vary in intensity, tracking patient-reported outcomes related to systemic imbalance, including the intensity of tinnitus (ringing in the ears). Studies reported measurements of symptom changes during periods of increased activity, but findings related to non-vertigo symptoms were often mixed across different studies.

Evidence for Prophylaxis of Motion Discomfort

Cinnarizine was studied for its use in preventing motion discomfort in both adult and pediatric populations who were susceptible to motion exposure. Trials tracked the incidence of symptoms like nausea and vomiting prior to motion. Data show patterns related to symptom onset during the journey itself, but comparative evidence against all current alternatives is often lacking. Limited information is available for scenarios after acute symptoms have already started.

Limitations and Gaps in the Research

Most core efficacy studies have limited follow-up durations, often restricted to a few weeks, meaning long-term effects are not fully established. Data for certain groups, such as pregnant populations or those with complex comorbid conditions, remain insufficient or still emerging. Furthermore, the research primarily focuses on prevention. The results apply only to the populations studied, and research does not determine whether an individual will respond similarly.

Key Studies & References

  1. Efficacy and Safety of a Fixed-Dose Combination of Cinnarizine 20 mg and Dimenhydrinate 40 mg in the Treatment of Patients with Vestibular Vertigo: An Individual Patient Data Meta-Analysis
  2. Use of betahistine or cinnarizine in Ménière's disease, vertigo disorders or tinnitus (Health Technology Assessment Report)
  3. Public Assessment Report National Procedure Cinnarizine 15mg Tablets (UK Regulatory Document)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Common questions about Perifas (FAQ)

Q: Is it okay to crush or cut the Perifas tablets to make them easier to swallow?

The official product instructions for taking Perifas state that the tablets may be swallowed whole, chewed, or sucked with a drink of water. Regulatory documents do not provide specific instructions for crushing or cutting the tablets to aid swallowing.

Q: How does Perifas actually work in the body to stop dizziness?

Perifas is intended to help manage symptoms like dizziness and unsteadiness through its effects on the inner ear's balance system. It is officially classified as an antihistamine with a calming effect on the inner ear (labyrinthine sedative), and also has mild calcium channel blocking properties that are intended to improve microcirculation.

Q: What are the most common side effects of Perifas?

According to official regulatory labeling, the most common side effects of Perifas are Somnolence (drowsiness), Nausea, and Weight Increased. These effects are classified based on their incidence rate reported in clinical use.

Q: Does Perifas interact with blood pressure medications?

Regulatory documents state that due to Perifas’s mild calcium channel blocking activity, co-administration with other agents used to lower blood pressure has the potential to result in an additive hypotensive effect, which is a further reduction in blood pressure.

Q: How should I dispose of Perifas tablets I no longer need?

Regulatory requirements state that this medicine should not be disposed of via household waste or wastewater. Disposal of unused or expired medicine is required to be carried out in accordance with local regulatory requirements for pharmaceutical waste, often achieved by returning it to a pharmacist.

Q: Where should I store my Perifas tablets in my house?

Regulatory documents state that Perifas tablets must be stored at a temperature not exceeding 30 C, kept in a cool, dry place, and protected from light. As a mandatory label instruction, the medicine must be kept out of the sight and reach of children.

How should Perifas be stored and disposed of?

The storage and disposal of Perifas (Cinnarizine tablets) must adhere to official regulatory requirements to ensure product stability and environmental safety.

Storage Conditions

Item Requirement
Temperature Store at a temperature not exceeding 30 C.
Protection Must be protected from light and stored in a cool, dry place.
Child Safety Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children.

Disposal Instructions

Official labeling contains specific environmental restrictions for discarding this product.

  • Do not throw away this medicine via wastewater or household waste.
  • Disposal of any unused or expired medicinal product must be carried out in accordance with local requirements for pharmaceutical waste, as instructed by a pharmacist.

Attention! Always consult to a doctor or pharmacist before using pills or medicines.

Available in countries:

Equivalent of Perifas found in:

A-Z Index: