Meclizine and Drowsiness: What Users Say

• Soa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 5, 2019

Meclizine for Vertigo "Suddenly got vertigo after my ear got fluid in it from a sinus infection that wasn’t fully cleared from other antibiotics. I ended up feeling so bad for 3 days and bedridden until I got this yesterday and actually been able to function. I've been able to take a shower, make food, and wake up without the room spinning! I have to take it 3 times a day as directed by my doctor. The only downfall is it makes you super drowsy! The drowsiness caused me to sleep throughout the night since I have had vertigo, which was good since I haven’t slept in days. Get this if you're suffering from vertigo, it saved me."

• Old...
• January 2, 2019

Meclizine for Vertigo "Was prescribed for severe vertigo following a TBI that left me with vision issues. Only thing that makes it possible for me to function. No problems with drowsiness. Been taking daily for 2+ years. Tried to use OTC but ended up falling multiple times. My vertigo is constant and ranges from where I feel like I'm spinning or like the whole world is on a roller coaster."

• chr...
• December 14, 2014

For Vertigo "I have been suffering with vertigo for the past three months, spinning every night and still dizzy and nauseous during the day. This was causing major stress for me. The doctor put me on antibiotics and steroids but still nothing made it better. I went to another doctor and was given meclizine. I got my first night of sleep with no spinning when turning over and not waking up feeling sick. This was a great feeling, but I cannot take it during the day or I would fall asleep at my desk. However, I will take feeling drowsy over my world spinning any day!"

• Aar...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 6, 2018

Meclizine for Vertigo "Within this past week, I came down with laryngitis, a sinus and respiratory infection, and ears filled with fluid. My PCP gave me 250mg Ceftin twice daily. That helped clear my chest and sinus infection within 3 days, but I still had this lingering vertigo where I just did not feel right. Went to urgent care, the doc said ears were filled to the brim with fluid, so he gave me prednisone for my ears and Antivert for the vertigo. I took one 25mg tablet and I can say it is quite noticeable how normal I feel again. I'm a bigger man, so the drowsiness hasn't hit me as hard, but I would fully recommend this to anyone with vertigo!"

• Fuz...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 8, 2019

Meclizine for Vertigo "I took one chewable tablet and have been drowsy and out of it for two days now. I've had severe nausea that comes in waves, dry mouth, a headache, and blurred vision this whole time. My heart rate is also very high. Overall, I feel like I'm in a daze, can't think straight, and just not very well overall. I will never take this medication again, and I hope it wears off soon."

• Anonymous
• October 30, 2009

Meclizine for Vertigo "Although it will relieve or ease the vertigo, I hate to take it because I 'lose the day' - one pill will have side effects for about 8 hours. I am unable to leave the house or drive. I never take more than one in 24 hours, and as few days as absolutely necessary. I am 83 years old."

• Ray...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 24, 2013

For Vertigo "I just had my second case of vertigo and tried 25mg of Meclizine and like many others it worked very well, but I could not stay awake. My doctor changed my med to the 12.5 mg, and I like that much better. Still stay a little tired, but at least I am not sleeping all day."

• Del...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 21, 2015

For Vertigo "I have been struggling immensely from dizziness, feeling off-balance, lightheaded, and vertigo for over a month now! So bad it landed me in the ER and I've been off work. I read about Meclizine and asked my doctor to prescribe me some. I was hesitant to take it at first since the drowsiness side effect. I held off for a few days. Finally took some yesterday (25 mg, took 2/day). Woke up today and for the first time I can stand up without feeling like I'm going to fall! I am still not 100%, but this definitely did help with the dizziness and spinning!"

• Diz...
• January 4, 2016

For Vertigo "I am 47 going to be 48 this month. I've always been healthy with no issues. This past month/year I was at work and felt dizzy, sat down and threw up, and then passed out. They called EMTs for me. Rushed to the ER and was told possible extreme vertigo. I went to my PCP and she concurred and put me on 12.5 mg Meclizine 3 times a day. It's been 2 days and I feel like I'm drunk. I am having a bad earache and can't focus well. I drove to work fine, once I sat still for 30-45 minutes, the feeling of dizziness came back. I can't walk more than a few feet without looking and feeling drunk. I've been on Meclizine for 4-5 days now. I cannot live feeling drunk all day... Is there any other meds that don't do this? Thank you for your advice."

• cri...
• January 6, 2016

For Vertigo "I have been taking this as needed for a year now. I was experiencing bad vertigo and ended up having a brain tumor. Two surgeries and three hospitalizations later, I still experience some vertigo and vision issues. I take 25 mg as needed, and it helps tremendously! It does make you drowsy, but after using it for a while, that side effect does subside. I have had no other side effects from it. I find it very calming, and it also helps with mild nausea, which typically accompanies the vertigo."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• June 30, 2014

Meclizine for Vertigo "Really effective, albeit sedating. I have Meniere's disease with horrible vertigo and have tried several meds, including Ativan and Lamictal, but Antivert seems most effective versus costs and side effects. There is a definite 'hangover' of grogginess from the Antivert, but I can muddle through if I don't take it too late at night."

• Anonymous
• November 9, 2008

Meclizine for Motion Sickness "I went on a 4-day, 3-night cruise with my identical twin. Both of us had previously taken Dramamine but neither of us liked it due to the sleepiness. She bought some Bonine while I had my doctor write me a prescription for the back-ear sticker. Both of us took our medicines 12 hours before getting on our plane. I got tired while she enjoyed poking me and making fun. The back ear patch didn't work because I got sick within minutes of being on the ship. My sister forced me to take the patch off and made me take the Bonine. We had a great trip. We swear by Bonine and our family and friends love it too."

• Tom...
• May 24, 2010

Meclizine for Vertigo "I have recently had several episodes of vertigo, likely due to ear problems. I was recommended meclizine by a doctor and it worked very well. I had expected to have to go to bed, but I was able to go to a friend's house for dinner. I did feel sleepy the next day, however."

• Anonymous
• January 14, 2016

For Vertigo "This is my second day taking Antivert 12.5 mg for my vertigo. I can't tell if it is working well for me ...?? I still feel so dizzy, and I feel like I'm walking on clouds. I am willing to give it a try a little bit longer and see how I feel later. Side effects so far so good, maybe a little bit just drowsiness. The past 5 years, I have had chronic sinuses, which aggravate my middle ear, the fluid just doesn't drain well and stays in my middle ear. This is horrible, my balance is off because of that condition, and I am constantly taking antibiotics. That's why I'm willing to try this medication and see if it's working for me."

• big...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 28, 2013

For Vertigo "It worked, but the first day of taking it after my vertigo issue, I slept all day and all night. Took the second day, and all I did was sleep. I can't take it and function, and definitely go to work and take it. I walk around in a fog, even if I try to keep busy while taking it during the day."

• JVC...
• March 29, 2013

Meclizine for Motion Sickness "My husband and I went on a 3-night Bahamas cruise for a romantic getaway. I get 'seasick' when traveling at times, but was thinking big ship = less motion? Wrong! I was sick by dinner @6 pm and we boarded at 4 pm. I was so upset :( crying, nauseous, disappointed. My husband and I went to the gift shop and found Bonine. I took 2 and got very drowsy but no more seasickness. I decided the next dose I would take 1 pill and see if that went better. It did! So for the rest of the trip I took 1 pill every recommended dosing time, and I did not have sickness or drowsiness again. Bonine was amazing for me! Highly recommend it, and it was worth every penny."

• Anonymous
• August 13, 2008

For Vertigo "I was prescribed Meclizine because I was so dizzy I couldn't even sit. Now, after taking it for 4 days, it's starting to get a lot better. They don't know the cause of my dizziness, all they know is it has to do with my nervous system. While we are waiting to have a lot of tests done, they put me on this. The only problem I have is it puts me to sleep and knocks me out. But it affects everybody differently."

• Anonymous
• February 3, 2010

For Vertigo "My doctor prescribed Meclizine to help stop the dizziness associated with my inner ear infection they call Labyrinthitis. It is very difficult to function or drive myself to work with the dizziness, but the Meclizine makes me so tired I feel drugged. Not sure which I'd prefer, the dizziness or the sleepiness, because either way, I can't drive, and that makes getting to work and functioning quite difficult."

• lmj...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 4, 2020

For Vertigo "Had some inner ear inflammation due to a cold and had a day where the room was literally spinning all day. Went to urgent care and was prescribed this. It did stop the dizziness, but I feel like I am in a different paradox, and I am super, super sleepy! Took Wednesday and Thursday. Today is Friday, I am going to discontinue use of this drug."

• dlb...
• March 3, 2015

Meclizine for Motion Sickness "I learned to sail keelboats 8 years ago. I love it, but am prone to seasickness. I tried ginger initially, but that was ineffective. Then a friend suggested Bonine, and I have used it ever since. I don't feel drowsy while sailing, but on the drive home after sailing and all the next day, I can be very drowsy. To combat the drowsiness, I tried reducing my dose, I now take 1/3-1/2 a tablet each time I go out (once or twice a week), increasing the dose up to 1-1/2 tablets if I expect rough seas. Over the 7 years of twice a week use, I have only had trouble twice in stormy 6 ft seas. Highly recommend, but figure out your best dose. I have taken it for up to 10 days continuously without ill effects."

• Mil...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 24, 2020

For Nausea/Vomiting "Was prescribed meclizine for nausea/dizziness that started due to a viral infection. It definitely helped in my experience completely stop any of the symptoms I had, the only thing worth noting in my experience is that it definitely made me wanna lay down and sleep."

• AKa...
• June 30, 2018

Meclizine for Vertigo "I've never taken Bonine, but I know it's the generic of Dramamine, which is the generic for meclizine that I do take. I had my first attack of vertigo when I was 27. Now I'm thirty, and it has come again all of a sudden. The first time I took meclizine, it worked like a charm, but now that I'm starting on it again, I haven't felt anything but drowsy. I hope it works like it did 3 years ago, but this time I'm going to stay on it much longer than I did the last time."

• MVa...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 27, 2021

For Vertigo "My doctor prescribed Meclizine for my balance and dizziness issues. I've been taking OTC Dramamine Less Drowsy 1/4 pill at night, and it works GREAT. Now I tried the RX 1/2 pill and was out of it all day after taking it the night before. I think I will stick to the OTC version. Seems to work better for me."

• Anonymous
• July 22, 2009

For Vertigo "I have inner ear damage because of shingles, and the medicine has always helped when vertigo has suddenly been a problem. A little drowsiness, but even that disappears within twenty minutes. VERY effective."

• Wor...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• April 25, 2015

Meclizine for Motion Sickness "My youngest son gets carsick after being in the car for 30 minutes. I discovered these tablets and give him half of a pill an hour before we leave as directed, and he's golden. He does not experience drowsiness and acts like his normal self. Trips have become manageable now and I don't cringe with the puke bucket."