Meclizine Hydrochloride

Indications

Meclizine Hydrochloride is used for: Motion sickness, Vertigo and Vestibular disorders

Adult Dose

Oral Motion sickness Adult: 25-50 mg 1 hr before travelling and repeat 24 hrly if needed. Vertigo and vestibular disorders Adult: 25-100 mg daily in divided doses. Discontinue if there is no response after 1-2 wk of treatment. Nausea and vomiting 25-50 mg daily Radiation sickness: 50 mg administered 2-12 hours prior to radiation treatment. Prevention of nausea and vomiting associated with emergency contraceptive pill (ECP) : 25-50 mg, 1 hour before first ECP dose; repeat if needed in 24 hours.

Child Dose

Oral <12 years: Safety and efficacy not established Motion Sickness >12 years: 12.5-50 mg PO given 1 hour before travel and then daily PRN Vertigo >12 years: 25-100 mg/day PO in single daily dose or divided q6-12hr

Renal Dose

Administration

May be taken with or without food.

Contra Indications

Meclizine Hydrochloride and Pyridoxine Hydrochloride is contraindicated in patients who are hypersensitive to these ingredients.

Precautions

Patients should be warned that Meclizine Hydrochloride may impair their ability to perform hazardous activities requiring mental alertness or physical coordination (e.g., operating machinery, driving a motor vehicle). Patients should avoid alcoholic beverages while taking this drug. Due to its potential anticholinergic action, this drug should be used with caution in patients with asthma, glaucoma or enlargement of the prostate gland. Lactation: Not known if excreted in milk; use caution

Pregnancy-Lactation

Pregnancy category: B Lactation: Not known if excreted in milk; use caution

Interactions

Additive effects with CNS depressants, neuroleptics, anticholinergics, alcohol.

Adverse Effects

Side effects of Meclizine Hydrochloride : Headache, drowsiness, vomiting, dry mouth, fatigue. Rarely, blurred vision.

Mechanism of Action

Meclozine blocks vasopressor response to histamine and has a slight blocking action against acetylcholine. It decreases excitability of the middle ear labyrinth and blocks conduction in the middle ear vestibular-cerebellar pathways.