Bonine For Kids

Meclizine is the generic name for the prescription drug called Antivert and the over-the-counter (OTC) medicines known as Dramamine and Bonine. Meclizine is used to treat motion sickness and dizziness.

The drug belongs to a class of drugs called antihistamines, which are generally used to treat allergies. However, meclizine works a little differently, reducing nausea and muscle spasms.

Meclizine was originally approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1957 under the brand name Antivert, manufactured by Citron Pharmaceuticals.

The 'Meclizine High' and Abuse

Because meclizine causes drowsiness, there may be potential for abuse.

Dramamine comes in two versions with different active ingredients. There is more concern about abuse of the original version of Dramamine, because it contains the antihistamine dimenhydrinate, which can cause euphoria and hallucinations at high doses.

The other Dramamine contains meclizine and is referred to as the "less drowsy" version.

Meclizine Warnings

Meclizine can create or worsen problems for some people. You should talk to your doctor before taking meclizine if:

• You have an allergy to meclizine or any of its ingredients
• You take other medications that dull the nervous system
• You are a person of advanced age
• If you live where there is extremely hot weather

Before taking meclizine, you should talk to your doctor if you have any of the following conditions:

• Poor kidney function
• Poor liver function
• Glaucoma or increased pressure between the eyes (intraocular pressure, or IOP)
• Overactive thyroid
• Heart disease
• A breathing condition, such as asthma
• Emphysema or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
• Blockage in your stomach or intestines
• Acid reflux or stomach ulcers
• Trouble urinating or an enlarged prostate
• Blockage in the neck of your bladder

You should not take meclizine if you are taking any of the following:

• Sodium oxybate (Xyrem), used to treat narcolepsy and some kinds of muscle problems
• Potassium drugs, including potassium phosphate (K Phos), chloride (Klor Con), or citrate (Urocit-K)

Pregnancy and Meclizine

Meclizine falls under the FDA's Pregnancy Category B, which means it has not been shown to harm a fetus.

Regardless, you should tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant before taking this medication.

You should also alert your physician if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It's recommended that breastfeeding mothers not take this medication.

It is always important to tell your doctor and pharmacist about all of your treatments, including over-the-counter (OTC) medications; vitamins, nutritional shakes, protein powders, and other supplements; herbal treatments or other alternative medicines; and any illegal or recreational drugs.

The following drugs are known to interact with meclizine:

• Pain medications that are related to opium, such as: alfentanil (Alfenta), codeine (Tylenol # 3), cihydrocodeine (Synalog), hydrocodone (Vicodin, Lortab, Percocet), levorphanol (Levo Dromoran), meperidine (Demerol), reminifentanil (Ultiva), and sufentanil (Sufenta)
• Dichloralphenazone
• Sleeping medicines, such as: zaleplon (Sonata), zolipidem (Ambien), eszopiclone, and chloral hydrate
• Muscle relaxants, such as baclofen, cyclobenzaprine (Flexeril), carisoprodol (Soma), and orphenadrine (Zanaflex)

You should talk your doctor if you are taking allergy medications or any drugs for anxiety, mood, or depression, when taking meclizine, so you will know about special drug-interaction symptoms you need to monitor. These include:

• Mood or depression drugs amitriptyline (Elavil), amoxapine (Asendin), aripiprazole (Ability), loxapine (Loxitane), nortiptyline (Pamelor), and oxazepam (Serax).
• Anxiety medicines estazolam (Prosom), diazepam (Valium), alprazolam (Xanax), clonazepam (Klonopin), lorazepam (Ativan), flurazepam (Dalmane, Dalmadorm), and Midazolam.
• Antihistamine allergy medications: brompheniramine (Bromfed, Brom-fed DM), chlorpheniramine (often in children's cold and allergy drugs, such as Tylenol Children's Cough and Cold, and Dimetapp products for Children), and diphenhydramine (Benadryl)

Meclizine and Alcohol

Drinking alcohol while taking meclizine may worsen the side effects of the drug.

Meclizine and Grapefruit Juice

Grapefruit juice is not likely to affect how meclizine works. Both the drug and grapefruit juice are broken down by the liver, but the process for each is different.

Meclizine and Other Interactions

In general, you should be careful taking meclizine if you are already taking medications that cause drowsiness, dry mouth, difficulty using the bathroom, or appear to slow the nervous system, because adding meclizine to your medications can make all of these symptoms worse.

• Insight Pharmaceuticals LLC

This medication may cause blurred vision and may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be alert and able to see clearly.

Drinking alcohol can increase certain side effects of cyclizine.

Applies to cyclizine: oral tablet

Data not available

Substance Name

Cyclizine

CAS Registry Number

82-92-8

Drug Class

Antiemetics

Antihistamines

Anti-Allergic Agents

LactMed Record Number

841

Last Revision Date

20170411

Disclaimer

Information presented in this database is not meant as a substitute for professional judgment. You should consult your healthcare provider for breastfeeding advice related to your particular situation. The U.S. government does not warrant or assume any liability or responsibility for the accuracy or completeness of the information on this Site.