Meclizine
Why this is used
Meclizine is used to prevent and treat nausea, vomiting, and dizziness caused by motion sickness. It is most effective if taken before symptoms appear. This medication is sometimes prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.
How to take it
Meclizine comes as a regular and chewable tablet and a capsule. For motion sickness, meclizine should be taken 1 hour before you start to travel. Doses may be taken every 24 hours if needed. For dizziness caused by an ear condition, follow your doctor's directions. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take meclizine exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor. The chewable tablets may be chewed or swallowed whole.
Side effects
<p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>Meclizine may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:
<ul>
<li>
drowsiness or fatigue</li>
<li>
dry mouth</li></ul></p> <p></p> <p>If you experience the following symptom, call your doctor immediately:
<ul>
<li>
blurred vision</li></ul>If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online [at <a href='http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch'>http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch</a>] or by phone [1-800-332-1088].</p>
<ul>
<li>
drowsiness or fatigue</li>
<li>
dry mouth</li></ul></p> <p></p> <p>If you experience the following symptom, call your doctor immediately:
<ul>
<li>
blurred vision</li></ul>If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online [at <a href='http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch'>http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch</a>] or by phone [1-800-332-1088].</p>
Precautions
Before taking meclizine, tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to meclizine or any other drugs. tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications you are taking, especially amobarbital (Amytal), medications for colds or allergies, pain medications, phenobarbital, sedatives, seizure medications, sleeping pills, tranquilizers, and vitamins. These drugs may increase the drowsiness caused by meclizine. tell your doctor if you have or have ever had glaucoma, an enlarged prostate, urinary tract blockage, or asthma.
Overdose
In case of overdose, call your local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. If the victim has collapsed or is not breathing, call local emergency services at 911.
Educational reference only — talk to a pharmacist or prescriber about Meclizine.