Meclizine

Generic name: Meclizine
Drug class: Anticholinergic antiemetics

Usage of Meclizine

Meclizine is used in adults and children aged 12 years and older to treat or prevent nausea, vomiting and dizziness caused by motion sickness.

Meclizine is also used in adults to treat symptoms of vertigo (dizziness or spinning sensation) caused by disease that affects your inner ear.

Meclizine is most effective if taken before symptoms appear.

Meclizine side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to meclizine: hives, difficult breathing, swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Common meclizine side effects may include:

drowsiness;

dry mouth;

headache;

vomiting; or

feeling tired.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Before taking Meclizine

You should not use meclizine if you are allergic to it.

Do not give meclizine to anyone younger than 12 years old without medical advice.

To make sure this medicine is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have ever had:

glaucoma;

breathing problems such as asthma, emphysema, or chronic bronchitis;

an enlarged prostate or urination problems;

recently used alcohol, sedatives, or tranquilizers; or

liver or kidney disease.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

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How to use Meclizine

Usual Adult Dose for Vertigo:

-25 to 100 mg orally per day in divided doses -Dosing Dependent upon clinical response. Use: Management of vertigo associated with diseases affecting the vestibular system.

Usual Adult Dose for Motion Sickness:

-Initial Dose: 25 to 50 mg orally 1 hour before travel -Maintenance Dose: Repeat dose every 24 hours if needed Use: Management of nausea, vomiting, and dizziness associated with motion sickness.

Usual Pediatric Dose for Vertigo:

Age 12 years and older: -25 to 100 mg orally per day in divided doses -Dosing dependent upon clinical response. Use: Management of vertigo associated with diseases affecting the vestibular system.

Usual Pediatric Dose for Motion Sickness:

Age 12 years and older: -Initial Dose: 25 to 50 mg orally 1 hour before travel -Maintenance Dose: Repeat dose every 24 hours if needed Use: Management of nausea, vomiting, and dizziness associated with motion sickness.

Warnings

Use meclizine only as directed. Tell your doctor if you use other medicines or have other medical conditions or allergies.

You should not take this medication if you are allergic to meclizine.

Before you take this medicine, tell your doctor if you have liver or kidney disease, asthma, glaucoma, an enlarged prostate, or urination problems.

Meclizine may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be alert.

Drinking alcohol can increase certain side effects of meclizine.

Cold or allergy medicine, sedatives, narcotic pain medicine, sleeping pills, muscle relaxers, and medicine for seizures, depression or anxiety can add to sleepiness caused by meclizine.

What other drugs will affect Meclizine

Using meclizine with other drugs that make you drowsy can worsen this effect. Ask your doctor before using opioid medication, a sleeping pill, a muscle relaxer, or medicine for anxiety or seizures.

Sometimes it is not safe to use certain medicines at the same time. Some drugs can affect your blood levels of other drugs you use, which may increase side effects or make the medicines less effective.

Other drugs may interact with meclizine, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell your doctor about all other medicines you use.

Disclaimer

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