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Stugeron PLUS

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Stugeron PLUS

Stugeron PLUS_EN

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Medically reviewed

Laura Arias

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 Stugeron PLUS

Quick Facts

Property Description
Active Ingredients Cinnarizine, Dimenhydrinate
Form Oral Tablet
Pharmacological Class Anti-Vertigo Drug, Combination H1 Antagonist and Calcium Channel Blocker
Common Use Symptomatic relief of dizziness and vertigo
Origin Synthetic Fixed Combination

What Type of Medicine is Stugeron PLUS?

Stugeron PLUS is defined as a synthetic fixed combination product presented as an oral tablet, officially recognized as an Anti-Vertigo Drug for symptomatic management. The formulation is notable because it unites two distinct active ingredients, Cinnarizine and Dimenhydrinate, ensuring their synchronous administration within a single pill.

This structure reflects a dual pharmacological identity. Cinnarizine is a piperazine derivative also recognized as a calcium channel blocker, while Dimenhydrinate belongs to the first-generation sedating antihistamine (H1 antagonist) class. This fixed combination approach differentiates it from single-agent therapies and is tailored for adult patients seeking effective management of acute vestibular symptoms.

What is the Purpose of the Dual-Ingredient Formula?

The primary purpose of combining these two pharmacological agents is to deliver comprehensive symptomatic relief by simultaneously addressing both central and peripheral aspects of balance disturbances. The formulation targets the core sensations of imbalance.

Specifically, the dual-ingredient approach generally helps to relieve acute symptoms of inner ear disorders, including the disorienting feeling of spinning (vertigo), general dizziness, and the associated discomfort of nausea and vomiting that accompany vestibular episodes. Cinnarizine acts on inner ear microcirculation. This complementary action provides short-term, effective symptom control where both central signal dampening and peripheral stabilization are beneficial.

Regulatory References

  1. Cinnarizine MeSH Record

What side effects are possible with Stugeron PLUS?

Possible Side Effects and Safety Information

The safety profile of Stugeron PLUS (Cinnarizine/Dimenhydrinate) is strictly defined by regulatory documents, categorizing adverse reactions based on their frequency and physiological system affected.

Frequency-Classified Adverse Reactions

The most commonly documented adverse reactions, classified as Common (may affect up to 1 in 10 people), include Somnolence (drowsiness) and Weight increased (weight gain). Reactions classified as Uncommon include daytime sleepiness, vomiting, indigestion, abdominal pain, and excessive sweating.

Systemic and Serious Reactions

Adverse effects are formally grouped by the body system involved. Effects on the Nervous System include drowsiness and, rarely, serious neurological events. The Gastrointestinal System is associated with reactions like dry mouth and nausea.

Regulatory documents also detail more serious but infrequent adverse reactions, such as the development of Extrapyramidal symptoms (movement disorders like tremor and muscle stiffness) and the potential for Jaundice (a sign of liver involvement). The risk of developing extrapyramidal symptoms is specifically noted in regulatory texts as being associated with long-term use, particularly in older adults.

Safety Restrictions and Special Populations

Official labeling defines strict limitations (contraindications) for its use. The medicine is not recommended for children and adolescents under 18 years of age. It must not be used in patients with severe hepatic or renal impairment, pre-existing Parkinson's disease, narrow-angle glaucoma, or conditions that could be worsened by anticholinergic effects, such as urinary retention or prostatic hypertrophy.

Overdose and Emergency Response

Overdose: When to Seek Urgent Help

If an overdose of Stugeron PLUS is suspected, or if signs of overdose are noticed, immediate medical attention is required. You should consult a doctor immediately or seek emergency medical treatment. Contacting a poison control center is also advisable to receive the most current treatment recommendations.

Overdose symptoms are primarily related to the central nervous system effects of the combination of antihistamine components. Documented presentations include alterations in consciousness, ranging from somnolence and stupor to coma, and may be accompanied by vomiting, hypotonia, and involuntary extrapyramidal symptoms.

Other reported manifestations of overdose may involve rapid heartbeat (tachycardia), high blood pressure, dilated pupils, fever, agitation, confusion, or urinary retention. In a small number of young children, seizures have developed following an overdose of one of the drug's components. Fatal outcomes, while not common, have been reported following both single and polydrug overdoses.

There is no specific antidote for an overdose of Stugeron PLUS; therefore, management is based on symptomatic and supportive care. Activated charcoal may be considered in certain situations, but only under the guidance of healthcare professionals. Recovery is likely if the individual survives the first 24 hours after ingestion.

Therapeutic Uses of Stugeron PLUS

What Stugeron PLUS Treats: Main Uses and Benefits

Stugeron PLUS is generally used for the short-term symptomatic support of conditions characterized by vestibular dysfunction, such as acute episodes of vertigo, general dizziness, and associated nausea and vomiting. This combination is applied in clinical settings that involve acute or unstable vestibular symptom patterns. It is relevant for easing symptoms related to heightened physiological activity that interfere with daily functioning and supports patients during difficult episodes by easing distress.

The primary therapeutic applications include symptomatic management of acute vertigo, relief from the associated symptoms of nausea and vomiting, and support in preventing or treating motion sickness.

“This symptomatic relief may assist with maintaining functional stability when symptoms interfere with routine activities.”

Management of Nausea and Associated Discomfort

The medication is relevant in contexts where additional symptomatic support is needed to address symptom clusters that include pronounced nausea and vomiting alongside dizziness. The medication is applied in addressing gastrointestinal distress related to symptoms of systemic imbalance, contributing to easing the overall symptom load during acute episodes. It is commonly used to help manage symptoms that create noticeable functional strain for the patient.

Quick Fact Block

Quick Fact: Relief for Vestibular Symptoms
Key Indication Acute episodes of vertigo and pronounced dizziness.
Associated Benefit Easing associated nausea and vomiting.
Clinical Context Short-term symptomatic assistance during periods of heightened discomfort.

Regulatory References

  1. Australian Prescriber

Eligibility and Restrictions for Use

Eligibility Map: Who can and cannot use Stugeron PLUS

Stugeron PLUS (cinnarizine and dimenhydrinate) is strictly governed by regulatory eligibility rules. The medicine is contraindicated and must not be used by certain patient populations to prevent serious health risks.

Contraindicated Populations (Must Not Use)

Category Specific Condition/Restriction
Age Restriction Individuals under 18 years of age (safety and efficacy not established).
Hypersensitivity Known allergy to cinnarizine, dimenhydrinate, or any other similar antihistamines or excipients.
Organ/System Failure Severe liver failure or severe kidney failure (creatinine clearance leq 25 mL/min).
Neurological/Cranial Epilepsy or other conditions causing seizures, increased pressure in the brain.
Ophthalmic Angle-closure glaucoma.
Urological Urine retention due to urethroprostatic disorders (e.g., prostate problems).
Clinical State Alcohol abuse or dependence.

Use is Restricted or Not Recommended

Category Condition/State
Pregnancy Not recommended; use only if the prescribed therapeutic benefit is deemed to outweigh potential risks.
Lactation Not recommended; active substances may pass into breast milk.
Pre-existing Diseases Use with caution in patients with Parkinson's disease, as the medicine may aggravate symptoms. Caution is also advised in cases of hypotension (low blood pressure), hypertension (high blood pressure), severe coronary heart disease, or hyperthyroidism.

What should I know about interactions with other medicines?

Interactions with other medicines and products

Regulatory documents classify the interaction profile of Stugeron PLUS based on the pharmacological actions of its two components, Cinnarizine and Dimenhydrinate.

Contraindicated Combinations and Mandatory Restrictions

Co-administration is officially contraindicated with certain therapeutic agents. This includes medicines that are known to prolong the QT interval, such as Class Ia and Class III anti-arrhythmics. Use is also contraindicated with Betahistine, as the Cinnarizine component may oppose its effect. Patients must avoid the consumption of alcoholic drinks due to the potential for a significant increase in sedative effects.

Pharmacodynamic and Metabolic Interaction Risks

Pharmacodynamic potentiation is documented with numerous substance classes. Concomitant use with CNS depressants (e.g., narcotic analgesics, tranquillisers) and Anticholinergics (including Tricyclic Antidepressants and MAOIs) may lead to enhanced sedative and anticholinergic effects. Caution is required with Antihypertensives due to a potential enhancement of hypotensive effects. A pharmacokinetic risk exists regarding CYP2D6 substrates. The active ingredients are extensively metabolized via the CYP2D6 enzyme, requiring caution when co-administering with other medicines that are substrates of this pathway, which may lead to altered plasma concentrations.

Diagnostic Interference and Procedural Constraints

This medicine may mask the ototoxic symptoms caused by Aminoglycosidic antibiotics (e.g., gentamicin). Furthermore, the medication must be discontinued up to four days prior to dermal reactivity indicator (skin allergy) testing, as the antihistamine effect can prevent accurate results.

Mechanism of Action

Stugeron PLUS is a fixed-dose combination product whose pharmacodynamic action is mediated by the distinct mechanisms of Cinnarizine and Dimenhydrinate, influencing separate signaling pathways to achieve system-level physiological modulation.

Regulation of Inner Ear Microcirculation

Cinnarizine primarily acts as a calcium channel antagonist, selectively impeding the transmembrane influx of calcium ions (Ca^2+) into vascular smooth muscle cells. This activity is notable in the microvasculature, including the blood vessels supplying the inner ear apparatus. The blocking of Ca^2+ entry leads to vasorelaxation, which alters vascular resistance and increases localized blood flow within the affected microcirculatory beds.

Modulation of Vestibular and Emetic Signaling

Dimenhydrinate exerts its effect through its constituent H1 receptor antagonist properties and associated anticholinergic activity. By blocking the action of histamine at H1 receptors in central nervous system (CNS) vestibular nuclei and the chemoreceptor trigger zone, Dimenhydrinate modulates afferent signal transmission. This action decreases the activation level within the targeted emetic and motion-sensing neural pathways, contributing to physiological adjustment.

Dosage and Administration Information

Official Administration Guidelines

The usage of Stugeron PLUS (Cinnarizine 20 mg / Dimenhydrinate 40 mg) follows standardized instructions for its short-term use.

Dosing and Administration Pattern

Instruction Detail
Route of Administration The approved method is oral administration.
Standard Adult Dose The unit dose is one tablet per administration. The total daily intake must not exceed three tablets.
Frequency and Timing The medication is taken three times daily. It is administered after meals to minimize the potential for gastric irritation.
Tablet Preparation The tablet should be swallowed unchewed with a sufficient quantity of liquid, without crushing or splitting.

Use Duration and Population Constraints

The established treatment duration for this fixed combination product is typically short-term. Treatment should not exceed four consecutive weeks unless a physician deems a longer course necessary.

Specific population constraints apply to the use of this medication. Use is not recommended in children and adolescents under the age of 18 years due to a lack of established safety and efficacy data. Furthermore, the medication should not be used in patients diagnosed with severe hepatic impairment or severe renal impairment, defined as a creatinine clearance of 25 ml/min or less. This restriction is based on the components' metabolism and excretion patterns. Standard use involves adhering to the one-tablet, three-times-daily regimen for the authorized short-term period.

Recent Clinical Evidence

Research Evidence Overview: Studies for Cinnarizine / Dimenhydrinate

The scientific understanding of the Cinnarizine and Dimenhydrinate combination is drawn primarily from systematic reviews and analyses of multiple, short-term randomized controlled trials (RCTs). The primary research approach involves comparing the combination against a placebo or single-agent therapies. These trials were used in research exploring how symptoms change over time and track patient-reported experiences related to conditions characterized by fluctuating or episodic manifestations. Research contributes to contextualizing how patients reported their experience, without providing individual predictions.

Evidence for Symptomatic Relief of Vestibular Vertigo

The research landscape includes systematic reviews and RCTs that track the magnitude of change in vertigo symptoms and associated vegetative complaints (like nausea) in adult outpatients. Research has examined the combination in adult outpatients experiencing vestibular vertigo. The studies monitored outcomes describing episodic or acute changes using the Mean Vertigo Score (MVS), a composite measure. Most trials focused on a four-week observation period. Findings describe patterns observed across groups receiving the combination and those receiving placebo, reflecting the specific conditions studied.

Long-Term Data and Follow-Up Duration

The majority of the foundational research focused on episodes where symptoms become more noticeable. Therefore, the duration of follow-up in the controlled trials was typically four weeks. As a result, there is limited information for long-term outcomes and little data regarding the durability of any observed response beyond the initial month of study. The existing short-term evidence provides context, but long-term effects are not fully established.

Research in Specific Patient Groups

Research has examined the combination in general adult populations experiencing vertigo. Researchers studied certain age-related patterns by performing subgroup analyses on older adults, specifically those aged 65 and above. However, data for certain groups remain insufficient. Specific diagnoses such as Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV) were frequently excluded, and research is limited regarding use in pediatric populations.

Research Gaps and Areas of Uncertainty

The available evidence contributes to understanding short-term symptom patterns, but several research limitations exist. The sample sizes were modest in some original trials, and the evidence quality varies across studies. The certainty around the findings for every specific vestibular condition remains low because controlled trials often excluded complex or secondary diagnoses. Furthermore, comparative evidence that tracks the combination against all possible single-agent options over long periods is lacking.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Common questions about Stugeron PLUS (FAQ)

Q: What is the difference between Stugeron PLUS and plain Stugeron (Cinnarizine only)?

Stugeron PLUS is a combination product that contains two active ingredients: Cinnarizine (20 mg) and Dimenhydrinate (40 mg). In contrast, plain Stugeron products contain only Cinnarizine. This combination approach uses two distinct active ingredients to address symptoms of balance disturbances.

Q: Can Stugeron PLUS be taken by older adults (over 65)?

Official guidance notes that this medication should be used with caution in older adults, specifically those aged 65 years and above. This caution is noted due to an increased potential for certain side effects in this population. Adherence to the guidance provided by the prescribing doctor is necessary for patients in this age group.

Q: Is Stugeron PLUS used to treat all types of dizziness?

According to the official product information, the medication is specifically authorized for the symptomatic relief of dizziness and vertigo that arises from inner ear problems, which are also known as vestibular disorders. Official documentation does not extend the indication to all generalized forms of dizziness.

Q: Can Stugeron PLUS be used for motion sickness, or just for vertigo?

Official regulatory documents state that Stugeron PLUS is indicated for both the symptomatic management of vertigo and the prevention and treatment of motion sickness, including associated symptoms like nausea and vomiting.

Q: What is the expected onset of action for Stugeron PLUS?

Official summaries generally report that the medicine's effect is typically noted within one hour following oral administration. This information is based on clinical data regarding the time it takes for the active ingredients to begin working.

Q: How long does the effect of one tablet of Stugeron PLUS last?

According to patient information summaries, the duration of the medicinal effect from a single tablet is generally reported to last for 6 to 8 hours in most cases.

Q: What are the official warnings about using Stugeron PLUS while driving or operating machinery?

Official warnings note the potential for impairment during hazardous activities. Because of the potential for side effects like drowsiness, sleepiness, or affected vision, official documentation states that driving or operating any machinery should be avoided if these symptoms occur.

Q: Are headaches a commonly reported adverse reaction to Stugeron PLUS?

Yes, official reports list headache as one of the common side effects associated with this medication. This information is classified in the safety documentation.

Q: Is there evidence to suggest Stugeron PLUS is habit-forming or addictive?

Based on regulatory and clinical summaries, there is no evidence to suggest that Stugeron PLUS is habit-forming or has a potential for abuse.

Q: Does the medicine come with any warnings about light sensitivity or sun exposure?

The official side effects profile lists light sensitivity (photosensitivity) as a rare adverse reaction. Patients are informed of this potential side effect in the product safety information.

Q: What should be done if a dose of Stugeron PLUS is missed?

Regulatory guidance suggests that a missed dose may be taken as soon as the lapse is remembered. However, it is explicitly advised not to take a double dose to compensate for the forgotten one, and it is noted that the correct time interval between doses is still expected.

Q: Are there different strengths of Stugeron PLUS available?

The medication is typically available as a single fixed-dose strength containing Cinnarizine 20 mg and Dimenhydrinate 40 mg. Regulatory documentation defines this specific fixed combination.

How should Stugeron PLUS be stored and disposed of?

Storage and Disposal Requirements

Stugeron PLUS tablets must be stored out of the sight and reach of children.

Storage Conditions

This medicinal product must be stored below 30 C and should be kept in a cool and dry place, away from direct sunlight [Source 4.1]. To maintain its stability, the medicine must remain in the container or original pack and be kept tightly closed [Source 1.5]. The tablets must not be used after the expiry date shown on the packaging [Source 3.4].

Disposal Instructions

For disposal, Stugeron PLUS must not be thrown away via wastewater or household waste [Source 3.4]. Unused or expired product should be disposed of in accordance with local requirements, and patients are advised to ask their pharmacist how to discard the medicine [Source 1.5].

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

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