Meclizine Oral Tablet

Meclizine oral tablet comes with several warnings

Allergy warnings

Meclizine can cause a severe allergic reaction. Symptoms can include:

• trouble breathing
• swelling of your throat or tongue
• rash
• hives

If you have an allergic reaction, call your doctor or local poison control center right away. If your symptoms are severe, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.

Don’t take this drug again if you’ve ever had an allergic reaction to it. Taking it again could be fatal (cause death).

General warnings

If you’ve been taking this drug and it isn’t helping to control your symptoms of motion sickness or vertigo, call your doctor. Taking this drug for a long period of time can cause problems with the system in your body that controls balance. Call your doctor if you still have nausea, vomiting, or dizziness after you stop taking the drug.

Alcohol interactions

The use of drinks that contain alcohol can increase your risk of drowsiness from meclizine. If you drink alcohol, talk to your doctor.

Warnings for people with certain health conditions

For people with breathing problems: This drug can thicken the mucus in your lungs. This may make it harder for you to breathe. Talk with your doctor if you have breathing problems, such as asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), before starting this drug.

For people with glaucoma: This drug may make your glaucoma symptoms worse. Speak with your doctor if you have glaucoma before starting this drug.

For people with an enlarged prostate: This drug can make it more difficult for you to urinate. If you have trouble urinating due to an enlarged prostate, ask your doctor about whether this drug is safe for you.

For people with liver problems: It isn’t known if this drug is safe or effective for people with liver problems. Having liver problems may keep your body from processing this drug properly. This puts you at risk of more side effects. If you have liver problems, talk to your doctor before taking this drug.

For people with kidney problems: It isn’t known if this drug is safe or effective for people with kidney problems. Having kidney problems may keep your body from clearing this drug properly. This puts you at risk of more side effects. If you have kidney problems, talk to your doctor before taking this drug.

Warnings for other groups

For pregnant women: Meclizine is a category B pregnancy drug. That means two things:

1. Research in animals hasn’t shown a risk to the fetus when the mother takes the drug.
2. There aren’t enough studies done in humans to show if the drug poses a risk to the fetus.

Talk to your doctor if you’re pregnant or planning to become pregnant. Animal studies don’t always predict the way humans would respond. Therefore, this drug should only be used in pregnancy if clearly needed.

For women who are breastfeeding: It isn’t known if meclizine passes into breast milk. If it does, it may cause side effects in a child who is breastfed. Talk to your doctor if you breastfeed your child. You may need to decide whether to stop breastfeeding or stop taking this medication.

For seniors: The kidneys of older adults may not work as well as they used to. This can cause your body to process drugs more slowly. As a result, more of a drug stays in your body for a longer time. This raises your risk of side effects.

For children: This medication hasn’t been studied in children. It shouldn’t be used in people younger than 12 years.

This dosage information is for meclizine oral tablet. All possible dosages and drug forms may not be included here. Your dosage, drug form, and how often you take the drug will depend on:

• your age
• the condition being treated
• how severe your condition is
• other medical conditions you have
• how you react to the first dose

Forms and strengths

Generic: meclizine

• Form: Oral tablet
• Strengths: 12.5 mg, 25 mg

Dosage for motion sickness

Adult dosage (ages 18-64 years):

• Typical starting dosage: 25–50 mg taken 1 hour before you do the activity that causes you motion sickness. You may need to take another dose every 24 hours throughout your journey or travel.
• Maximum dose: 100 mg per day.

Child dosage (ages 12–17 years):

• Typical starting dosage: 25–50 mg taken 1 hour before you do the activity that causes you motion sickness. You may need to take another dose every 24 hours throughout your journey or travel.
• Maximum dose: 100 mg per day.

Child dosage (ages 0–11 years):

It hasn’t been confirmed that meclizine is safe and effective for use in people younger than 12 years.

Senior dosage (ages 65 years and older):

The liver and kidneys of older adults may not work as well as they used to. This can cause your body to process drugs more slowly. As a result, more of a drug stays in your body for a longer time. This raises your risk of side effects. Your doctor may start you on a lowered dose or a different dosing schedule. This can help keep levels of this drug from building up too much in your body.

Dosage for vertigo

Adult dosage (ages 18-64 years):

• Typical dose: 25–100 mg per day, taken in divided doses.
• Dose increases: Your doctor will decide the dose that’s right for you. They’ll increase your dose if needed depending on how you respond to and tolerate this drug.
• Maximum dose: 100 mg per day.

Child dosage (ages 12–17 years):

• Typical dose: 25–100 mg per day, taken in divided doses.
• Dose increases: Your doctor will decide the dose that’s right for you. They’ll increase your dose if needed depending on how you respond to and tolerate this drug.
• Maximum dose: 100 mg per day.

Child dosage (ages 0–11 years):

It hasn’t been confirmed that meclizine is safe and effective for use in people younger than 12 years.

Senior dosage (ages 65 years and older):

The liver and kidneys of older adults may not work as well as they used to. This can cause your body to process drugs more slowly. As a result, more of a drug stays in your body for a longer time. This raises your risk of side effects. Your doctor may start you on a lowered dose or a different dosing schedule. This can help keep levels of this drug from building up too much in your body.

Disclaimer: Our goal is to provide you with the most relevant and current information. However, because drugs affect each person differently, we cannot guarantee that this list includes all possible dosages. This information is not a substitute for medical advice. Always to speak with your doctor or pharmacist about dosages that are right for you.

Keep these considerations in mind if your doctor prescribes meclizine oral tablet for you.

General

• You can take meclizine with or without food.
• You can cut or crush the tablet.

Storage

• Store meclizine at room temperature. Keep it between 68°F and 77°F (20°C and 25°C).
• Keep it away from light.
• Don’t store this medication in moist or damp areas, such as bathrooms.

Refills

A prescription for this medication is refillable. You shouldn’t need a new prescription for this medication to be refilled. Your doctor will write the number of refills authorized on your prescription.

Travel

When traveling with your medication:

• Always carry your medication with you. When flying, never put it into a checked bag. Keep it in your carry-on bag.
• Don’t worry about airport x-ray machines. They can’t hurt your medication. You may need to show airport staff the pharmacy label for your medication. Always carry the original prescription-labeled box with you.
• Don’t put this medication in your car’s glove compartment or leave it in the car. Be sure to avoid doing this when the weather is very hot or very cold.
• To prevent motion sickness, take meclizine 1 hour before your activity or travel.

There are other drugs available to treat your condition. Some may be better suited for you than others. Talk to your doctor about other drug options that may work for you.

Disclaimer: Healthline has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up-to-date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or other healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.