Meclizine, buclizine, and cyclizine (oral route, parenteral route)

Brand Name

US Brand Name

Antivert

Antivert/25

Aspruzyo Sprinkle

Atarax

Compazine

Permitil

Prolixin

Ranexa

Torecan

Trilafon

Trintellix

Vistaril

Xyzal

ZyrTEC

Canadian Brand Name

hydrOXYzine

Moditen Hydrochloride

Pms-hydrOXYzine

Pms-Perphenazine

Trilafon Concentrate

Description

Buclizine, cyclizine, and meclizine are used to prevent and treat nausea, vomiting, and dizziness associated with motion sickness, and vertigo (dizziness caused by other medical problems).

Some of these preparations are available only with your doctor's prescription. Others are available without a prescription; however, your doctor may have special instructions on the proper dose of the medicine for your medical condition.

This product is available in the following dosage forms:

Tablet
Tablet, Chewable
Syrup
Capsule
Solution
Elixir
Packet
Tablet, Extended Release
Tablet, Disintegrating
Capsule, Liquid Filled

Before Using

Allergies

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to medicines in this group or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Pediatric

There is no specific information comparing use of buclizine, cyclizine, and meclizine in children with use in other age groups. However, children may be especially sensitive to the anticholinergic effects (e.g., dryness of mouth, nose, and throat) of these medicines.

Geriatric

There is no specific information comparing use of buclizine, cyclizine, and meclizine in the elderly with use in other age groups. Many medicines have not been studied specifically in older people. Therefore, it may not be known whether they work exactly the same way they do in younger adults. However, older people may be especially sensitive to the anticholinergic effects (e.g., constipation; difficult urination; dryness of mouth, nose, and throat) of these medicines.

Pregnancy

These medicines have not been shown to cause birth defects or other problems in humans. However, studies in animals have shown that buclizine, cyclizine, and meclizine given in doses many times the usual human dose cause birth defects, such as cleft palate.

Breastfeeding

Although these medicines may pass into breast milk, they have not been reported to cause problems in nursing babies. However, since these medicines tend to decrease the secretions of the body, it is possible that the flow of breast milk may be reduced in some patients.

Drug Interactions

Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking any of these medicines, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.

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

Amitriptyline
Amoxapine
Amprenavir
Arsenic Trioxide
Atazanavir
Bepridil
Bromopride
Calcium Oxybate
Carbamazepine
Cisapride
Clarithromycin
Clomipramine
Cobicistat
Colchicine
Darunavir
Desipramine
Dofetilide
Doxepin
Dronedarone
Droperidol
Fluconazole
Fosamprenavir
Fosphenytoin
Idelalisib
Imipramine
Indinavir
Isocarboxazid
Itraconazole
Ketoconazole
Levoketoconazole
Levomethadyl
Linezolid
Lopinavir
Magnesium Oxybate
Mavorixafor
Mesoridazine
Methylene Blue
Metoclopramide
Nefazodone
Nelfinavir

Using medicines in this class with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

Abametapir
Abciximab
Abiraterone Acetate
Abiraterone Acetate, Micronized
Acecainide
Aceclofenac
Acemetacin
Acenocoumarol
Acepromazine
Adagrasib
Afatinib
Ajmaline
Alfentanil
Alfuzosin
Almotriptan
Alprazolam
Amantadine
Amifampridine
Amineptine
Amiodarone
Amisulpride
Amitriptyline
Amitriptylinoxide
Amobarbital
Amoxapine
Amphetamine
Amtolmetin Guacil
Anagrelide
Anileridine
Apalutamide
Apixaban
Apomorphine
Aprepitant
Aprindine
Ardeparin
Argatroban
Aripiprazole
Aripiprazole Lauroxil
Arsenic Trioxide
Artemether

Other Interactions

Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

Using medicines in this class with any of the following is usually not recommended, but may be unavoidable in some cases. If used together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use your medicine, or give you special instructions about the use of food, alcohol, or tobacco.

Ethanol
Grapefruit Juice

Proper Use

This medicine is used to relieve or prevent the symptoms of motion sickness or vertigo (dizziness caused by other medical problems). Take it only as directed. Do not take more of it or take it more often than stated on the label or ordered by your doctor. To do so may increase the chance of side effects.

Dosing

The dose medicines in this class 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 these medicines. 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 buclizine

For oral dosage form (chewable tablets):
- To prevent motion sickness:
  - Adults and teenagers—The usual dose is 50 milligrams (mg) thirty minutes before travel. The dose may be repeated every four to six hours if needed. Not more than 150 mg should be taken in one day.
  - Children—Dose must be determined by your doctor.

For cyclizine

For oral dosage form (tablets):
- To prevent and treat motion sickness:
  - Adults and teenagers—The usual dose is 50 milligrams (mg) thirty minutes before travel. The dose may be repeated every four to six hours if needed. Not more than 200 mg should be taken in one day.
  - Children 6 to 12 years of age—The usual dose is 25 mg thirty minutes before travel. The dose may be repeated every six to eight hours if needed. Not more than 75 mg should be taken in one day.
  - Children up to 6 years of age—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
For injection dosage form:
- To prevent and treat motion sickness:
  - Adults and teenagers—The usual dose is 50 mg injected into a muscle every four to six hours as needed.
  - Children—Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your doctor. The usual dose is 1 mg per kilogram (0.45 mg per pound) of body weight injected into a muscle three times a day as needed.

For meclizine

For oral dosage forms (tablets and chewable tablets):
- To prevent and treat motion sickness:
  - Adults and children 12 years of age or older—The usual dose is 25 to 50 milligrams (mg) one hour before travel. The dose may be repeated every twenty-four hours as needed.
  - Children up to 12 years of age—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
- To prevent and treat vertigo (dizziness):
  - Adults and children 12 years of age or older—The usual dose is 25 to 100 mg a day as needed, divided into smaller doses.
  - Children up to 12 years of age—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

Keep out of the reach of children.

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

Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.

Precautions

Tell the doctor in charge that you are taking this medicine before you have any skin tests for allergies. The results of the test may be affected by this medicine.

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

This medicine may cause some people to become drowsy or less alert than they are normally Make sure you know how you react to this medicine before you drive, use machines, or do anything else that could be dangerous if you are not alert.

Buclizine, cyclizine, and meclizine may cause dryness of the mouth. For temporary relief use sugarless candy or gum, melt bits of ice in your mouth, or use a saliva substitute. However, if your mouth continues to feel dry for more than 2 weeks, check with your medical doctor or dentist. Continuing dryness of the mouth may increase the chance of dental disease, including tooth decay, gum disease, and fungus infections.

Side Effects

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common

Drowsiness

Less common or rare

Blurred or double vision
constipation
diarrhea
difficult or painful urination
dizziness
dryness of mouth, nose, and throat
fast heartbeat
headache
loss of appetite
nervousness, restlessness, or trouble in sleeping
skin rash
upset stomach

Not all of the side effects listed above have been reported for each of these medicines, but they have been reported for at least one of them. Buclizine, cyclizine, and meclizine are similar, so any of the above side effects may occur with any of these medicines.

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

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

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