Travel Sickness (Oral)

Meclizine is used to stop and manage nausea, vomiting, and dizziness from motion sickness. It is also used for vertigo (dizziness or lightheadedness) due to ear issues.

Meclizine is an antihistamine. It helps to block the signals to the brain that lead to nausea, vomiting, and dizziness.

This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription.

It is very important for your doctor to check your or your child's progress at regular visits to ensure that this medicine is working properly and to look for any unwanted effects.

This medicine may make some people feel drowsy or less alert than usual. Do not drive or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how this medicine affects you.

This medicine will increase the effects of alcohol and other CNS depressants (medicines that make you drowsy or less alert). Some examples of CNS depressants include antihistamines or medicine for hay fever, other allergies, or colds, sedatives, tranquilizers, antidepressants, or sleeping medicine, prescription pain medicine or narcotics, medicine for seizures or barbiturates, muscle relaxants, or anesthetics, including some dental anesthetics. Check with your medical doctor or dentist before taking any of the above while you or your child are using this medicine.

In deciding to use a medicine, you need to think about the risks compared to the benefits. This is a choice you will make with your doctor. For this medicine, consider the following:

Allergies

Let your doctor know if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reactions to this medicine or any other medicines. Also, inform your health care professional about any other allergies you may have, like to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For over-the-counter products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Pediatric

Studies have not been done to see how Antivert® tablets and chewable tablets affect children or how Antivert®/25 or Antivert®/50 tablets affect children younger than 12 years. Safety and effectiveness have not been established for this age group.

Geriatric

Studies so far have not shown any specific problems for older adults that would limit the use of meclizine. However, older patients are more likely to have age-related liver, kidney, or heart issues, which may need caution and a dose adjustment for those taking meclizine.

Breast Feeding

Research in women indicates that this medication has minimal risk to the baby when used during breastfeeding.

Interactions with Medicines

Some medicines should not be used together at all, while others may be used together even if there could be an interaction. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When taking this medicine, it’s especially important for your healthcare professional to know if you are taking any of the following medicines. The interactions listed below are based on their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with this medication or change some of the other medicines you take.

• Potassium Citrate
• Tranylcypromine

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended but may be necessary in some situations. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may adjust the dose or frequency for one or both medicines.

• Alfentanil
• Alprazolam
• Amantadine
• Amifampridine
• Amobarbital
• Anileridine
• Benzhydrocodone
• Bromazepam
• Buprenorphine
• Bupropion
• Buspirone
• Butabarbital
• Butorphanol
• Calcium Oxybate
• Cannabidiol
• Cannabis
• Cetirizine
• Chloral Hydrate
• Chlordiazepoxide
• Chlorpromazine
• Clobazam
• Clonazepam
• Clorazepate
• Clozapine
• Codeine
• Daridorexant
• Dexmedetomidine
• Diazepam
• Difenoxin
• Dihydrocodeine
• Diphenhydramine
• Diphenoxylate
• Donepezil
• Doxylamine
• Esketamine
• Estazolam
• Eszopiclone
• Ethchlorvynol
• Ethylmorphine
• Fentanyl
• Flibanserin
• Flurazepam
• Fospropofol
• Gabapentin
• Gabapentin Enacarbil
• Glucagon
• Glycopyrrolate
• Glycopyrronium Tosylate
• Halazepam
• Hydrocodone
• Hydromorphone
• Hydroxyzine
• Ketamine
• Ketazolam
• Ketobemidone
• Lacosamide
• Lemborexant
• Levocetirizine
• Levorphanol
• Lofexidine
• Lorazepam
• Loxapine
• Magnesium Oxybate
• Meperidine
• Meprobamate
• Methacholine
• Methadone
• Methotrimeprazine
• Metoclopramide
• Midazolam
• Morphine
• Morphine Sulfate Liposome
• Nalbuphine
• Nicomorphine
• Nitrazepam
• Olanzapine
• Opium
• Opium Alkaloids
• Oxazepam
• Oxycodone
• Oxymorphone
• Papaveretum
• Paregoric
• Pentazocine
• Pentobarbital
• Periciazine
• Phenobarbital
• Piritramide
• Pitolisant
• Potassium Oxybate
• Prazepam
• Pregabalin
• Promethazine
• Propofol
• Propoxyphene
• Quazepam
• Quetiapine
• Ramelteon
• Remimazolam
• Revefenacin
• Ropeginterferon Alfa-2b-njft
• Scopolamine
• Secobarbital
• Secretin Human
• Sodium Oxybate
• Sufentanil
• Tapentadol
• Temazepam
• Thioridazine
• Tilidine
• Tiotropium
• Topiramate
• Tramadol
• Trazodone
• Triazolam
• Zaleplon
• Zolpidem
• Zopiclone
• Zuranolone

Interactions with Food/Tobacco/Alcohol

Certain medicines should not be used around the time of eating or with specific foods due to possible interactions. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also lead to interactions. Talk with your healthcare professional about using this medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

Other Medical Problems

Having other medical issues may affect how you use this medicine. Be sure to inform your doctor if you have any other medical conditions, especially:

• Asthma or
• Enlarged prostate or
• Glaucoma—Use with caution. May make these conditions worse.

• Kidney disease or
• Liver disease—Use with caution. The effects may be increased because the medicine is removed from the body more slowly.

Along with its helpful effects, this medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Not all of these side effects may happen, but if they do, they might need medical attention.

Contact your doctor right away if you experience any of the following side effects:

Incidence not known

• Cough
• difficulty swallowing
• dizziness
• drowsiness
• fast heartbeat
• hives, itching, skin rash
• puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue
• tightness in the chest
• unusual tiredness or weakness
• vomiting

Some side effects may happen that usually do not require medical attention. These side effects may go away as your body gets used to the medicine. Your health care professional may also have ways to help prevent or lessen some of these side effects. Talk to your health care professional if any of the following side effects persist or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

Rare

• Blurred vision

Incidence not known

• Dry mouth
• headache

Other side effects not mentioned may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, consult your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You can report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

In the U.S.

• Antivert
• Antivert/25
• Antivert/50
• Dramamine II
• Meclicot
• Meni-D
• Motion Sickness Relief
• Simply Motion
• Travel Sickness

Available Dosage Forms:

• Tablet
• Tablet, Chewable

Therapeutic Class: Antiemetic

Pharmacologic Class: Antihistamine

Chemical Class: Piperazine (class)

Take this medicine only as directed by your doctor. Do not take more of it, do not take it more often, and do not take it for a longer time than your doctor ordered.

Chew or crush the chewable tablet completely before swallowing. Do not swallow it whole.

Swallow the non-chewable tablet whole. Do not crush, chew, or break it.

Dosing

The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.

• For oral dosage form (tablets): For nausea, vomiting, and dizziness caused by motion sickness: Adults—At first, 25 to 50 milligrams (mg) taken 1 hour before travel. You may take another dose once every 24 hours while traveling. Children 12 years of age and older—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor. Children younger than 12 years of age—Use is not recommended. For vertigo: Adults—25 to 100 milligrams (mg) per day, taken in divided doses. Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

Storage

Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing.

Keep out of the reach of children.

Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.

Ask your healthcare professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use.