Meclizine Hydrochloride

Disease, Vertigo, Airsickness

Treatment

5 FDA approvals

4 Active Studies for Meclizine Hydrochloride

What is Meclizine Hydrochloride

Meclizine

The Generic name of this drug

Treatment Summary

Meclizine is a medication used to prevent nausea, vomiting and dizziness caused by motion sickness and certain conditions that affect the inner ear. It works by blocking the action of histamine in the body. It is sold under the brand name Antivert in the U.S. and comes in the form of oral tablets.

Meclizine Hydrochloride

is the brand name

image of different drug pills on a surface

Meclizine Hydrochloride Overview & Background

Brand Name

Generic Name

First FDA Approval

How many FDA approvals?

Meclizine Hydrochloride

Meclizine

1981

193

Approved as Treatment by the FDA

Meclizine, commonly known as Meclizine Hydrochloride, is approved by the FDA for 5 uses including Vertigo and Motion Sickness .

Vertigo

Helps manage Vertigo

Motion Sickness

Disease

Helps manage diseases affecting vestibular system

Airsickness

diseases affecting vestibular system

Helps manage diseases affecting vestibular system

Effectiveness

How Meclizine Hydrochloride Affects Patients

Meclizine helps reduce feelings of nausea, vomiting, and dizziness. It is commonly used to treat motion sickness or other conditions that affect the balance system. It will start to work an hour after it is taken, and effects can last up to 24 hours. Meclizine may make you drowsy, as it has anticholinergic properties.

How Meclizine Hydrochloride works in the body

Vomiting and motion sickness are regulated by the brainstem. Different receptors in the brainstem, such as histamine, serotonin, enkephalins, substance P, and dopamine, are activated by different stimuli and cause the body to vomit. Meclizine helps prevent vomiting by blocking the histamine H1 receptors. This blocks signals from the vestibular nuclei and nucleus of the solitary tract to the brainstem and vomiting center. Meclizine may also reduce overactivity in the inner ear, which can cause motion sickness.

When to interrupt dosage

The suggested dosage of Meclizine Hydrochloride is contingent upon the diagnosed affliction, which includes Disease, Vertigo and Airsickness. The measure of dosage is delineated in the table below, as per the technique of application.

Condition

Dosage

Administration

Airsickness

, 12.5 mg, 25.0 mg, 50.0 mg, 0.25 mg, 30.0 mg

, Oral, Tablet, Tablet - Oral, Tablet, chewable, Tablet, chewable - Oral, Tablet, film coated, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Film, soluble, Film, soluble - Oral, Tablet, orally disintegrating, Tablet, orally disintegrating - Oral, Tablet, multilayer, extended release, Tablet, multilayer, extended release - Oral, Kit, Kit - Oral, Cream; Kit; Liquid; Ointment; Tablet; Tablet, chewable; Tablet, film coated - Oral; Topical, Oral; Topical, Cream; Kit; Liquid; Ointment; Tablet; Tablet, chewable; Tablet, film coated

Disease

, 12.5 mg, 25.0 mg, 50.0 mg, 0.25 mg, 30.0 mg

, Oral, Tablet, Tablet - Oral, Tablet, chewable, Tablet, chewable - Oral, Tablet, film coated, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Film, soluble, Film, soluble - Oral, Tablet, orally disintegrating, Tablet, orally disintegrating - Oral, Tablet, multilayer, extended release, Tablet, multilayer, extended release - Oral, Kit, Kit - Oral, Cream; Kit; Liquid; Ointment; Tablet; Tablet, chewable; Tablet, film coated - Oral; Topical, Oral; Topical, Cream; Kit; Liquid; Ointment; Tablet; Tablet, chewable; Tablet, film coated

Vertigo

, 12.5 mg, 25.0 mg, 50.0 mg, 0.25 mg, 30.0 mg

, Oral, Tablet, Tablet - Oral, Tablet, chewable, Tablet, chewable - Oral, Tablet, film coated, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Film, soluble, Film, soluble - Oral, Tablet, orally disintegrating, Tablet, orally disintegrating - Oral, Tablet, multilayer, extended release, Tablet, multilayer, extended release - Oral, Kit, Kit - Oral, Cream; Kit; Liquid; Ointment; Tablet; Tablet, chewable; Tablet, film coated - Oral; Topical, Oral; Topical, Cream; Kit; Liquid; Ointment; Tablet; Tablet, chewable; Tablet, film coated

Warnings

Meclizine Hydrochloride Contraindications

Condition

Risk Level

Notes

Severe Hypersensitivity Reactions

Do Not Combine

Meclizine may interact with Pulse Frequency

There are 20 known major drug interactions with Meclizine Hydrochloride.

Common Meclizine Hydrochloride Drug Interactions

Drug Name

Risk Level

Description

Amitriptyline

Major

The metabolism of Amitriptyline can be decreased when combined with Meclizine.

Amoxapine

Major

The metabolism of Amoxapine can be decreased when combined with Meclizine.

Astemizole

Major

The metabolism of Astemizole can be decreased when combined with Meclizine.

Azelastine

Major

Meclizine may increase the central nervous system depressant (CNS depressant) activities of Azelastine.

Clomipramine

Major

The metabolism of Clomipramine can be decreased when combined with Meclizine.

Meclizine Hydrochloride Toxicity & Overdose Risk

The lowest toxic dose of meclizine in mice is 1600mg/kg when taken orally and 625mg/kg when given through an injection into the abdomen. For rats, the lowest toxic dose is 800mg/kg when taken orally. An overdose of meclizine can result in drowsiness, confusion, seizures, breathing problems, and low blood pressure, especially in the elderly. In children, symptoms may include hallucinations, insomnia, and anticholinergic effects. If someone has recently overdosed on meclizine, they should induce vomiting or use a gastric lavage to prevent further absorption of the drug.

image of a doctor in a lab doing drug, clinical research

Meclizine Hydrochloride Novel Uses: Which Conditions Have a Clinical Trial Featuring Meclizine Hydrochloride?

10 active clinical trials are presently being conducted to examine the potential of Meclizine Hydrochloride as a therapy for Disease, Airsickness and Vertigo.

Condition

Clinical Trials

Trial Phases

Disease

0 Actively Recruiting

Vertigo

3 Actively Recruiting

Phase 4, Not Applicable

Airsickness

2 Actively Recruiting

Not Applicable, Phase 3

Meclizine Hydrochloride Reviews: What are patients saying about Meclizine Hydrochloride?

5

Patient Review

2/24/2022

Meclizine Hydrochloride for Motion Sickness

I've found this medication to be really effective in combating motion sickness, both on planes and more generally. I take a full dose an hour before takeoff with food, and it's helped me immensely.

5

Patient Review

5/6/2017

Meclizine Hydrochloride for Prevention of Motion Sickness

I experience pain in my stomach whenever I take this pill, and have seen no other effects.

5

Patient Review

9/1/2016

Meclizine Hydrochloride for Sensation of Spinning or Whirling

I don't get dizzy when I'm actively moving, just when I'm sitting or lying down. The Meclizine has been helping, but I remain perplexed as to why this is the case.

4.7

Patient Review

8/22/2017

Meclizine Hydrochloride for Sensation of Spinning or Whirling

I was diagnosed with vertigo and given this medication. While it definitely lessened the severity of my symptoms, I'm still experiencing dizziness and spinning two months later.

4.7

Patient Review

7/18/2021

Meclizine Hydrochloride for Motion Sickness

For nausea and motion sickness, this is my go-to drug. It takes effect in about half an hour, and while it does make me sleepy, that's a small price to pay for feeling better.

4.3

Patient Review

7/6/2021

Meclizine Hydrochloride for Sensation of Spinning or Whirling

Really helped with my vertigo that was a symptom of covid19. I did notice that I got tired more easily, but it was a small price to pay for the significant reduction in vertigo symptoms.

4

Patient Review

7/10/2018

Meclizine Hydrochloride for Sensation of Spinning or Whirling

The chewable tablets have an unfortunate taste, but they do seem to help with the vertigo I've been experiencing. I'm hopeful that physical therapy will also provide some relief.

4

Patient Review

4/24/2021

Meclizine Hydrochloride for Sensation of Spinning or Whirling

This helped me with my vertigo issue, but unfortunately the drowsiness it caused was really hard to deal with. I had to cut back my dosage and even then I woke up feeling groggy.

3.7

Patient Review

7/26/2017

Meclizine Hydrochloride for Sensation of Spinning or Whirling

The first time I took this medication, I took 50mg as directed. However, I found that it made me quite sleepy. After the initial dose, I decreased to 25mg and had no more problems with drowsiness. Additionally, this medicine effectively prevented any seasickness for me during my sailing trip--even though there was a lot of boat movement!

3.7

Patient Review

1/15/2018

Meclizine Hydrochloride for Sensation of Spinning or Whirling

It's helping with the vertigo-related dizziness, though I do get a bit unsteady on my feet after an hour or so.

3.3

Patient Review

3/22/2022

Meclizine Hydrochloride for Sensation of Spinning or Whirling

Meclizine was effective in alleviating my vertigo symptoms, though only for a four-hour window. I also didn't experience the drowsiness that is commonly associated with this medication.

3

Patient Review

7/24/2022

Meclizine Hydrochloride for Sensation of Spinning or Whirling

The meclizine makes me drowsy, but it does effectively relieve my dizziness. I would recommend only taking half a pill if you need to be up and about during the day.

3

Patient Review

6/15/2016

Meclizine Hydrochloride for Sensation of Spinning or Whirling

3

Patient Review

5/24/2020

Meclizine Hydrochloride for Sensation of Spinning or Whirling

I of course wanted this to work immediately, but unfortunately it didn't. It did help my vertigo a bit, though I could still feel unsteady.

1.3

Patient Review

9/21/2016

Meclizine Hydrochloride for Motion Sickness

Within two hours of taking this medication, my vertigo was gone after struggling with it for weeks. I do experience some drowsiness and have to take a short nap during lunch, but it's worth it to be vertigo-free.

1

Patient Review

10/10/2022

Meclizine Hydrochloride for Prevention of Motion Sickness

I took the recommended dosage and ended up passing out early and sleeping through most of the next day. In addition, this treatment did nothing to help my vertigo. Overall, a huge disappointment.

1

Patient Review

8/3/2016

Meclizine Hydrochloride for Sensation of Spinning or Whirling

I'm not sure I would recommend this drug, as it can cause the very same problem it's meant to treat.
image of drug pills surrounding a glass of water symbolizing drug consumption

Patient Q&A Section about meclizine hydrochloride

These questions and answers are submitted by anonymous patients, and have not been verified by our internal team.

Is it OK to take Meclizine everyday?

"Meclizine is not recommended for older adults due to the potential for negative side effects, but it is still prescribed regularly."

Answered by AI

Does Meclizine 25 mg make you sleepy?

"Meclizine may cause drowsiness which could affect your ability to drive or operate machinery. There may also be other side effects."

Answered by AI

How often can I take Meclizine 25 mg for vertigo?

"The recommended dosage of meclizine to prevent and treat motion sickness is 25-50 mg an hour before travel, and may be repeated every 24 hours as needed."

Answered by AI

What are the most common side effects of Meclizine?

"Some possible side effects of this medication include vision problems, a dry mouth, constipation, dizziness, drowsiness, headaches, vomiting, or fatigue."

Answered by AI

Clinical Trials for Meclizine Hydrochloride

Image of Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in Baltimore, United States.

Slower MRI Machine Entry for Vertigo

18+
All Sexes
Baltimore, MD

Vertigo, dizziness, and imbalance are commonly reported by patients and technologists when near high-field strength magnets (\>4 Tesla, T) used for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) (1-5) Prior research from the investigators has established that the mechanism is likely a Lorentz force occurring in the inner ear, as a result of interactions with normal electrical currents in the inner ear and the strong static magnetic field of the MRI machine. The investigators have recently developed preliminary data to suggest that slower rates of entry into the magnetic field can greatly attenuate the sensations of vertigo. The explanation for this is that the rates of vestibular adaptation exceed that of the stimulus, allowed a reduction or elimination of the symptoms of vertigo. The aim of this study is to recruit individuals who are already getting an MRI scan as part of other research studies to randomize the rate of entry into and exit from the static magnetic field (i.e., before and after imaging is performed). The usual rate of entry is 20 seconds. This will be increased to one, two or three minutes. The investigators will record subjective sensations of dizziness and vertigo associated with the entry into the MRI.

Recruiting
Has No Placebo

Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

Bryan Ward, MD

Image of Stanford Ear Institute in Palo Alto, United States.

Smart Hearing Aids for Fall Risk and Speech Clarity

18+
All Sexes
Palo Alto, CA

The purpose of this study is to develop and validate methods to use hearing aids equipped with embedded sensors and artificial intelligence to assist in the assessment of fall risk and in the implementation of interventions aimed at reducing the risk of falling, as well as to improve speech intelligibility in quiet and in background noise, track physical activity, and social engagement. The investigators hope is that the knowledge that is generated through this study will ultimately translate to the clinical setting and will help reduce the likelihood that individuals experience a fall, and improve the quality of hearing in individuals who wear hearing aids.

Recruiting
Has No Placebo

Stanford Ear Institute

Starkey Laboratories, Inc