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Meclizine: 7 things you should know

Medically reviewed by Carmen Pope, BPharm. Last updated on July 26, 2024.

1. How it works

2. Upsides

3. Downsides

If you are between the ages of 18 and 60, take no other medication or have no other medical conditions, side effects you are more likely to experience include:

Note: In general, seniors or children, people with certain medical conditions (such as liver or kidney problems, heart disease, diabetes, seizures) or people who take other medications are more at risk of developing a wider range of side effects. View complete list of side effects

4. Bottom Line

Meclizine may be used to treat vertigo or nausea and vomiting associated with motion sickness; however, it takes approximately an hour to start working and may cause drowsiness, although it is less likely than some other antihistamines to cause drowsiness.

5. Tips

6. Response and effectiveness

7. Interactions

Medicines that interact with meclizine may either decrease its effect, affect how long it works, increase side effects, or have less of an effect when taken with meclizine. An interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of the medications; however, sometimes it does. Speak to your doctor about how drug interactions should be managed.

Common medications that may interact with meclizine include:

Avoid drinking alcohol because it may increase the side effects of meclizine.

Note that this list is not all-inclusive and includes only common medications that may interact with meclizine. You should refer to the prescribing information for meclizine for a complete list of interactions.

References

Further information

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use meclizine only for the indication prescribed.

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

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