Weight gain associated with cinnarizine.
OBJECTIVE
To report four cases of cinnarizine-induced weight gain.


METHODS
Case reports from a local obesity center and review articles.


METHODS
Data were abstracted from spontaneous comments made by patients to one of the authors, who was a doctor at the clinic, and reviewed by the remaining authors.


RESULTS
We reviewed the cases of four women, aged 50-57 years without endocrine or metabolic pathologies, that showed weight gain associated with the intake of cinnarizine for one to two years. No other drugs usually were administered during the period in which the women gained weight, although in two cases cinnarizine was associated with dihydroergocristine in the same medicine (Clinadil). The mean weight increase was 6.25 kg (range 4-10). The increases do not appear to be related to whether the patients' initial weight was ideal or excessive. The weight gain was always associated with increased appetite and food intake. One patient discontinued cinnarizine treatment and her weight returned to its previous level.


CONCLUSIONS
Cinnarizine is a piperazine derivative used in the treatment of vertigo and in the prophylaxis of migraine. In contrast to related drugs, data about cinnarizine are scarce because randomized trials of cinnarizine have been inconclusive. Our observations indicate that cinnarizine may cause weight gain, as observed with other drugs in the same class.
Navarro-Badenes
J
J
Departament de Farmacologia, Universitat de València, Spain.
Martínez-Mir
I
I
Palop
V
V
Rubio
E
E
Morales-Olivas
F J
FJ
D001066:Appetite / Q000187:drug effects; D002936:Cinnarizine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D014717:Vertigo / Q000188:drug therapy; D015430:Weight Gain
D002936:Cinnarizine