Feeling like the world is spinning can be unsettling and disruptive. If you’ve been prescribed Amocerebral Plus, you’re likely looking for relief from these dizzying spells. This guide aims to provide you with a clear understanding of this medication, how it works, and what you need to know to use it safely and effectively. We’ve broken down the key information from the official leaflet to help you navigate your treatment journey.
What is Amocerebral Plus?
Amocerebral Plus is a medication specifically formulated to treat vertigo, a sensation of dizziness that can make you feel like you or your surroundings are moving or spinning. It contains two active ingredients working in synergy to combat this uncomfortable condition:
- Cinnarizine (20mg): This belongs to a group of medications known as calcium channel blockers. It works by helping to relax the smooth muscles in blood vessels, improving blood flow, particularly in the inner ear. This can reduce the sensitivity of the inner ear’s balance system, which is often the root cause of vertigo.
- Dimenhydrinate (40mg): This ingredient is an antihistamine, a class of drugs often used to treat allergies. However, dimenhydrinate also has a powerful effect on the brain, helping to reduce nausea and vomiting associated with vertigo. It works by blocking the action of histamine, a natural substance in the body that can trigger these symptoms.
Together, these two ingredients make Amocerebral Plus a powerful tool in managing the various forms of vertigo experienced by adults. By addressing both the underlying balance issues and the associated symptoms, it can help you regain your stability and get back to your daily activities.
- Prevents nausea and vomiting
- Promotes cerebral blood flow
- Acts as an antihistamine
What Does Amocerebral Plus Treat?
Amocerebral Plus is indicated for the treatment of different types of vertigo in adults. Vertigo isn’t a condition in itself, but rather a symptom that can stem from various underlying causes. These can include:
- Inner Ear Problems: Conditions like Meniere’s disease, labyrinthitis, and benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) can disrupt the delicate balance mechanisms in the inner ear.
- Migraines: Vertigo is a common symptom associated with certain types of migraines.
- Motion Sickness: While not its primary use, the antihistamine component of Amocerebral Plus can help manage motion sickness.
- Other Medical Conditions: In some cases, vertigo can be a symptom of other medical issues.
It’s important to remember that Amocerebral Plus helps manage the symptoms of vertigo, but it doesn’t necessarily cure the underlying cause. Therefore, it’s crucial to have a proper diagnosis from your doctor to determine the root of your dizziness.
Important Considerations Before Taking Amocerebral Plus
Before starting Amocerebral Plus, it’s essential to be aware of certain situations where its use might not be suitable or require extra caution. Do not take Amocerebral Plus if you:
- Are under 18 years of age. This medication is specifically designed for adult use.
- Are allergic to cinnarizine, dimenhydrinate, or any of the other inactive ingredients listed in the leaflet.
- Have a known allergy to other antihistamines, such as astemizole, chlorpheniramine, or terfenadine, unless your doctor specifically advises you otherwise.
- Suffer from narrow-angle glaucoma (a specific type of eye condition).
- Have epilepsy (a condition that causes seizures).
- Have increased pressure inside your skull, which could be due to a tumor.
- Have a known alcohol addiction.
- Experience difficulties passing urine due to prostate problems.
- Have severe liver or kidney problems.
Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking Amocerebral Plus if you have any of the following conditions:
- Low or high blood pressure. Amocerebral Plus can affect blood pressure, so your doctor needs to be aware of any existing issues.
- Blockage in your intestines.
- Increased pressure in the eye.
- An enlarged prostate.
- Severe heart problems.
- An overactive thyroid gland (hyperthyroidism).
- Parkinson’s disease.
Amocerebral Plus might worsen these conditions, and your doctor will need to assess if the benefits of the medication outweigh the potential risks in your specific situation.
Lactose Intolerance: Amocerebral Plus contains lactose monohydrate. If you have been told by your doctor that you have an intolerance to some sugars, stop taking this medicine and consult your doctor.
How to Take Amocerebral Plus
Always take Amocerebral Plus exactly as your doctor has told you. If you are not sure, check with your doctor or pharmacist.
- Dosage: The usual recommended dose is one tablet three times a day.
- Timing: Take the tablets after meals. This can help minimize potential stomach upset.
- Swallowing: Swallow the tablet whole with water. Do not chew the tablets.
- Duration of Treatment: The usual treatment duration is 4 weeks. Your doctor might advise you to continue taking Amocerebral Plus for a longer period, depending on your individual needs.
If you take more Amocerebral Plus than you should:
If you accidentally take too many tablets, contact your doctor or the nearest hospital emergency department immediately. Symptoms of an overdose may include:
- Extreme tiredness
- Dizziness
- Shaking
- Widened pupils
- Difficulty passing urine
- Dry mouth
- Flushed face
- Increased heart rate
- Increased sweating
- Headache
- Seizures
- Hallucinations
- High blood pressure
- Feeling restless
- Agitation
- Difficulty breathing
- Loss of consciousness (coma)
If you forget to take Amocerebral Plus:
If you miss a dose, take the next dose at the usual time. Do not take a double dose to make up for the missed one.
If you stop taking Amocerebral Plus:
Do not stop taking Amocerebral Plus without talking to your doctor first. Stopping the medication too early might cause your vertigo symptoms to return. Your doctor will advise you on how to safely discontinue the medication if needed.
Potential Side Effects
Like all medicines, Amocerebral Plus can cause side effects, although not everyone gets them. Most side effects are mild and temporary.
Common side effects (may affect up to 1 in 10 people):
- Drowsiness: This is a common side effect due to the antihistamine component. Be cautious when driving or operating machinery.
- Dry mouth.
- Headache.
- Stomach pain. These side effects are usually mild and tend to disappear within a few days, even while continuing to take Amocerebral Plus.
Uncommon side effects (may affect up to 1 in 100 people):
- Sweating.
- Redness of the skin.
- Indigestion.
- Feeling sick (nausea).
- Diarrhoea.
- Being restless.
- Muscle twitching.
- Forgetfulness.
- Ringing in the ears (tinnitus).
- Tingling or numbness in the hands or feet (paraesthesia).
- Shaking (tremor).
Rare side effects (may affect up to 1 in 1,000 people):
- Blurred vision.
- Skin sensitivity.
- Sensitivity to light.
- Difficulty passing urine.
Very rare side effects (may affect less than 1 in 10,000 people):
- Reduction in the number of white blood cells: This can make you more prone to infections.
- Reduction in the number of platelets in the blood: This can increase the risk of bleeding or bruising.
- Severe reduction in red blood cells: This can cause weakness, fatigue, and shortness of breath. If you experience infections with a high temperature or a severe deterioration of your general health, consult your doctor immediately.
Other possible side effects (frequency not known):
- Weight gain.
- Constipation.
- Difficulty breathing.
- Yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice): This could indicate liver problems.
- Worsening of glaucoma (increased pressure inside the eye).
- Involuntary movements.
- Increased activity (especially in children).
- Severe skin rash.
Reporting of side effects:
If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. This includes any possible side effects not listed in the leaflet. By reporting side effects, you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.
Interactions with Other Medications and Substances
It’s crucial to inform your doctor or pharmacist about all the medicines you are taking, have recently taken, or might take. This includes over-the-counter medications, herbal remedies, and supplements. Amocerebral Plus can interact with certain medications, potentially altering their effects or increasing the risk of side effects.
Tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following:
- Barbiturates: These are sedative medications. Taking them with Amocerebral Plus can increase drowsiness.
- Opioid painkillers: Such as morphine. Increased drowsiness is a concern.
- Tranquilizers (sedatives): Medicines used to treat anxiety and sleep problems.
- Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs): Used to treat depression and Parkinson’s disease.
- Tricyclic antidepressants: Another class of antidepressants.
- Atropine: Used to relax muscles and often used to examine the eyes.
- Ephedrine: Used to treat coughs and nasal congestion.
- Procarbazine: A medication used to treat certain types of cancer.
- Medicines to lower blood pressure.
- Aminoglycosides: A type of antibiotic. Amocerebral Plus might mask the potential inner ear damage caused by these antibiotics.
- Medications for irregular heartbeats (arrhythmias). Amocerebral Plus should not be taken with these medications.
- Medicines that affect skin allergy tests: Amocerebral Plus can interfere with the results of allergy tests.
Amocerebral Plus with food and drink:
Taking Amocerebral Plus after meals can help prevent indigestion. Avoid drinking alcohol while taking Amocerebral Plus, as it can worsen drowsiness.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Do not take Amocerebral Plus if you are pregnant, think you might be pregnant, or are breastfeeding. It’s important to discuss alternative treatment options with your doctor in these situations.
Storing Amocerebral Plus Properly
- Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children.
- Do not use this medicine after the expiry date which is stated on the carton. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month.
- Do not store above 25°C.
- Store in a dry place and protect from light and moisture.
- Do not throw away any medicines via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medicines you no longer use. These measures will help protect the environment.
Common Questions and Concerns (FAQ)
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about Amocerebral Plus:
- How quickly does Amocerebral Plus start working? While individual responses may vary, you should start to experience some relief from your vertigo symptoms within a few days of starting Amocerebral Plus. However, it may take the full course of treatment (4 weeks) to achieve optimal results.
- Can I drive while taking Amocerebral Plus? Amocerebral Plus can cause drowsiness. If you experience this side effect, you should not drive or operate machinery.
- Is Amocerebral Plus addictive? No, Amocerebral Plus is not considered to be addictive.
- Can I take Amocerebral Plus with other over-the-counter medications for a cold? You should consult your doctor or pharmacist before taking any other medications, including over-the-counter remedies, while you are on Amocerebral Plus. Some cold medications also contain antihistamines, which could increase the risk of drowsiness.
- What are the alternatives to Amocerebral Plus for treating vertigo? Other medications and therapies are available for treating vertigo, depending on the underlying cause. These may include other antihistamines, anticholinergics, benzodiazepines, or vestibular rehabilitation therapy. Discuss your options with your doctor.
- Can children take Amocerebral Plus? No, Amocerebral Plus is not recommended for use in children under 18 years of age.
- Will Amocerebral Plus cure my vertigo? Amocerebral Plus helps manage the symptoms of vertigo. Whether it “cures” your vertigo depends on the underlying cause. Some types of vertigo are temporary and resolve on their own, while others may require long-term management.
- Can I drink coffee or other caffeinated drinks while taking Amocerebral Plus? While there’s no direct contraindication, caffeine can sometimes exacerbate anxiety and restlessness in some individuals. If you notice these effects, you may want to limit your caffeine intake.
- What if my vertigo symptoms don’t improve after 4 weeks of taking Amocerebral Plus? If your symptoms haven’t improved after the recommended treatment period, it’s important to follow up with your doctor. They may need to investigate further to determine the cause of your vertigo or consider alternative treatments.
- Can stress make my vertigo worse while taking Amocerebral Plus? Stress can sometimes trigger or worsen vertigo symptoms. While Amocerebral Plus helps manage the symptoms, addressing underlying stress through relaxation techniques or other methods may also be beneficial.
Conclusion
Amocerebral Plus can be an effective medication for managing the debilitating symptoms of vertigo. By understanding how it works, the potential side effects, and important precautions, you can work with your doctor to ensure a safe and successful treatment journey. Always remember to consult your healthcare provider for any questions or concerns you may have regarding your health or medication. This information is intended for general knowledge and does not substitute professional medical advice.
Dr. Ahmad Baker, PharmD
Senior Pharmacist & Health Educator
With over 23 years of clinical experience in hospital and community pharmacy across Egypt and Saudi Arabia, Dr. Ahmad specializes in reproductive health and pharmaceutical safety. He is dedicated to providing evidence-based guidance to empower patients in the MENA region.
Medical Disclaimer: This content is for educational purposes and reflects the latest pharmaceutical protocols. It is not a substitute for personal medical advice. Always consult Dr. Ahmad Baker or your healthcare provider before starting any treatment.