Have you ever struggled with nausea or dizziness, unsure how to find relief? It's likely, given that one in five adults experience dizziness every year. Whether you're on a long road trip or suffering from an inner ear condition, those symptoms can be debilitating.
Meclizine is a medication commonly used to relieve both of these issues. It's known for its effectiveness in treating motion sickness and vertigo, conditions that can make everyday activities feel impossible.
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What Is Meclizine?
Meclizine is a first-generation H1 antihistamine commonly used to treat motion sickness and vertigo. The precise mechanism by which meclizine exerts its therapeutic effect is not fully understood, but it is presumed to involve antagonism of the histamine H1 receptor.
Histamine is a chemical produced by the immune system. It is most commonly known for causing allergy symptoms like hives, itching, sneezing, and nasal congestion. However, depending on the type of histamine receptor it binds to, histamine can also have other effects on the body.
Meclizine blocks H1 receptors in the brain so that histamine cannot activate them and cause symptoms like nausea, vomiting, and dizziness.
Meclizine Uses
Meclizine is FDA-approved to treat the following conditions:
Motion Sickness
Motion sickness occurs when there's a mismatch between the signals your brain receives from your eyes, inner ear, and other body parts. When this mismatch happens, it can lead to symptoms including:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Dizziness
- Sweating
- Headache
- Fatigue
Motion sickness is best treated prophylactically by taking medications like meclizine before partaking in activities that trigger symptoms, such as car rides, air travel, or boat trips.
Vertigo
Vertigo is the sensation that the environment around you is spinning, causing symptoms like:
- Dizziness
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Loss of balance
- Changes in hearing
- Headaches
Meclizine is specifically indicated to treat vertigo associated with diseases affecting the vestibular system. The vestibular system refers to the part of the inner ear and brain that helps control balance and spatial awareness. Conditions that affect this system, such as benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), Meniere's disease, or labyrinthitis, can lead to vertigo.
Off-Label Uses
Your doctor may also prescribe meclizine off-label to treat similar symptoms caused by:
- Viral illness
- Gastrointestinal infections
- Pregnancy
- Radiation therapy
Off-label use of a medication refers to the practice of prescribing a medication for a purpose or condition that is not approved by the FDA based on clinical judgment, research, or evidence supporting its potential effectiveness for that off-label use.
You should consult your physician before taking meclizine for these conditions to assess the potential risks and benefits of such uses.
Meclizine Dosage Guidelines
Meclizine is an oral tablet taken by mouth, available in 12.5 mg, 25 mg, and 50 mg strengths.
General Dosage Recommendations
The dose of meclizine depends on the patient's age, condition, and severity of symptoms. General dosing recommendations are listed below, but you should always follow your healthcare provider's instructions to ensure safe and effective use.
Motion Sickness
- Adults: 25-50 mg by mouth one hour before travel or an activity that causes motion sickness. Repeat at 24-hour intervals as necessary.
- Children 12 Years or Older: 25-50 mg by mouth one hour before travel or an activity that causes motion sickness. Repeat at 24-hour intervals as necessary.
Vertigo
- Adults: 25-100 mg per day taken by mouth in divided doses
- Children 12 Years or Older: 25-100 mg per day taken by mouth in divided doses
Adjusting Dosage
The geriatric population has a higher incidence of liver, kidney, and cardiac impairments, in addition to the use of concomitant drug therapy, which can increase the risk of adverse effects. In general, starting doses should be administered at the lower end of the dosing range, and patients should be closely monitored for side effects.
Administering Meclizine Safely
- Take meclizine with or without food.
- Chew or crush chewable tables completely before swallowing.
- Swallow non-chewable tablets whole.
- If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember, unless it's nearly time for your next dose. Do not double up on doses to make up for the missed one.
- Meclizine is not recommended for children under 12 years of age due to insufficient evidence establishing safety and effectiveness in this age group.
Meclizine can interact with other drugs and medications, especially those that have sedative effects, and increase the risk of side effects. Do not take meclizine with the following before talking with a doctor:
- Alcohol
- Medications that treat insomnia
- Antipsychotic medications
- Antianxiety medications
- Other antihistamine medications
- Antispasmodic medications
Side Effects of Meclizine
The most common side effects caused by meclizine include:
- Drowsiness
- Urinary retention
- Dry mouth
- Headache
- Fatigue
- Vomiting
These symptoms are typically mild and resolve within hours of taking the medication.
There have also been rare reports of blurred vision and anaphylactic reactions with taking meclizine.
Side effects may vary; if you experience any severe reactions or side effects, consult a healthcare provider immediately.
Who Should Avoid Meclizine?
Meclizine is contraindicated in patients with a history of allergy to it or an ingredient called tartrazine.
Because this drug can make you drowsy, you should not drive a car, operate heavy machinery, or do anything that requires mental alertness until you know how the meclizine affects you.
Special precautions should be taken in certain populations to ensure drug safety. Talk to your doctor before taking meclizine if you have any of the following medical conditions:
- Intestinal blockage or obstruction
- Asthma
- Glaucoma
- Benign prostatic hyperplasia
- Bladder obstruction
- Phenylketonuria
Meclizine Brand Names and Availability
Meclizine is the generic form and active ingredient of the following over-the-counter brand-name products:
Prescription vs. Over-the-Counter Options
Meclizine is available both as a prescription and over-the-counter.
Many people can find effective relief for motion sickness with the over-the-counter versions, which typically contain lower doses. However, your doctor may prescribe higher doses of meclizine under the brand name Antivert for more serious cases of vertigo or when motion sickness is particularly severe.
While both prescription and over-the-counter meclizine are effective, consulting with a healthcare provider can help you decide which option is best for your needs.
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Key Takeaways
- Meclizine is an antihistamine medication available over the counter and by prescription. It is used to treat the symptoms of motion sickness and vertigo.
- It works by blocking H1 receptors in the central nervous system to reduce nausea, dizziness, and spinning sensations.
- The most common side effect associated with meclizine is drowsiness. You should never drive or operate heavy machinery without knowing how the medication affects you.
- Certain populations may be at a higher risk of side effects. To ensure drug safety, talk to your doctor before taking this medication, and always follow dosage recommendations.
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