Meclizine

Meclizine is used for the prevention and treatment of the nausea, vomiting, and dizziness associated with motion sickness.

• Meclizine is available under the following different brand names: Antivert, Bonine, Meni D, meclozine, Dramamine Less Drowsy Formula, and VertiCalm.

Dosages of Meclizine:

Adult and Pediatric Dosage Forms and Strengths

Tablets

• 12.5 mg
• 25 mg
• 32 mg
• 50 mg

Tablet, chewable

• 25 mg

Dosage Considerations – Should be Given as Follows:

Motion Sickness

• 12.5-50 mg orally given 1 hour before travel and then every 24 hours as needed
• Children older than 12 years: 12.5-50 mg orally given 1 hour before travel and then daily as needed
• Children younger than 12 years: Safety and efficacy not established

Vertigo

• 25-100 mg/day orally in single daily dose or divided once every 6-12 hours
• Children older than 12 years: 25-100 mg/day orally in a single daily dose or divided every 6-12 hours
• Children younger than 12 years: Safety and efficacy not established

Side effects of meclizine include:

• drowsiness,
• thickening of bronchial secretions,
• acute glaucoma attack,
• blurred vision (rare),
• constipation,
• diarrhea
• fatigue,
• nausea,
• rash,
• vomiting,
• headache,
• dry mouth, and
• urinary retention

Meclizine also has been associated with hypotension (low blood pressure) and heart palpitations.

This document does not contain all possible side effects and others may occur. Check with your physician for additional information about side effects.

If your doctor has directed you to use this medication, your doctor or pharmacist may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for them. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with your doctor, health care provider, or pharmacist first.

• Severe Interactions of meclizine include:
  • None
• Serious Interactions of meclizine include:
  • pramlintide
• Meclizine has moderate interactions with at least 108 different drugs.
• Mild Interactions of meclizine include:
  • amikacin
  • digoxin
  • dimenhydrinate
  • donepezil
  • galantamine
  • gentamicin
  • kanamycin
  • neomycin
  • netilmicin
  • paromomycin
  • streptomycin
  • tacrine
  • tobramycin

This information does not contain all possible interactions or adverse effects. Therefore, before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all the products you use. Keep a list of all your medications with you, and share this information with your doctor and pharmacist. Check with your health care professional or doctor for additional medical advice, or if you have health questions, concerns, or for more information about this medicine.

Warnings

This medication contains meclizine. Do not take Antivert, Bonine, Meni D, meclozine, Dramamine Less Drowsy Formula, or VertiCalm if you are allergic to meclizine or any ingredients contained in this drug.

Keep out of reach of children. In case of overdose, get medical help or contact a Poison Control Center immediately.

Contraindications

• Hypersensitivity

Effects of Drug Abuse

• None

Short-Term Effects

• See "What Are Side Effects Associated with Using Meclizine?"

Long-Term Effects

• See "What Are Side Effects Associated with Using Meclizine?"

Cautions

• Use caution in obstructive genitourinary tract disease, asthma, pyloric or duodenal obstruction, prostatic hyperplasia, narrow-angle glaucoma
• Hepatic impairment may increase meclizine systemic exposure
• Renal impairment may increase meclizine or metabolite accumulation
• May impair physical or mental abilities; use caution when operating heavy machinery or performing tasks that require mental alertness

Pregnancy and Lactation

• Meclizine may be acceptable for use during pregnancy
• Either animal studies show no risk but human studies not available or animal studies showed minor risks and human studies are done and showed no risk
• It is not known if meclizine is excreted in the milk; use caution if breastfeeding