Antivert (Meclizine)

Meclizine tablets

What is this medicine?

Meclizine (meclizine) is an antihistamine that reduces the effects of natural chemical histamine in the body.

Meclizine is used to treat or prevent nausea, vomiting, and dizziness caused by motion sickness. It is also used to treat symptoms of vertigo (dizziness or spinning sensation) caused by disease that affects your inner ear.

Meclizine may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?

To make sure Meclizine is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have any of these conditions:

• liver disease;

• kidney disease;

• asthma;

• glaucoma;

• enlarged prostate; or

• urination problems.

How should I use this medicine?

You should not take Meclizine if you are allergic to meclizine.

This medication may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be alert.

Drinking alcohol can increase certain side effects of Meclizine.

Cold or allergy medicine, sedatives, narcotic pain medicine, sleeping pills, muscle relaxers, and medicine for seizures, depression or anxiety can add to sleepiness caused by Meclizine.

Take Meclizine as exactly directed by your doctor. Follow all directions on your prescription label. Do not take this medicine in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.

To prevent motion sickness, take Meclizine about 1 hour before you travel or engage in activity that causes motion sickness. You may take meclizine once every 24 hours while you are traveling, to further prevent motion sickness.

To treat vertigo, you may need to take Meclizine several times daily. Follow your doctor's instructions.

This medication can affect the results of allergy skin tests. Tell any doctor who treats you that you are using Meclizine.

Store at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light.

What if I miss a dose?

Since Meclizine is sometimes taken only when needed, you may not be on a dosing schedule. If you are taking the medication regularly, take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

What should I watch for while using this medicine?

This medication may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be alert.

Drinking alcohol can increase certain side effects of Meclizine.

What side effects may I notice from this medicine?

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction to Meclizine: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Common Meclizine side effects may include:

• headache;

• vomiting;

• dry mouth;

• tired feeling; or

• drowsiness.

What may interact with this medicine?

Taking Meclizine with other drugs that make you sleepy or slow your breathing can increase these effects. Ask your doctor before taking Meclizine with a sleeping pill, narcotic pain medicine, muscle relaxer, or medicine for anxiety, depression, or seizures.

Tell your doctor about all medicines you use, and those you start or stop using during your treatment with Meclizine, especially:

• cinacalcet;

• quinidine;

• terbinafine; or

• the antidepressants bupropion, duloxetine, fluoxetine, paroxetine, or sertraline.

Other drugs may interact with Meclizine, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell each of your healthcare providers about all medicines you use now, and any medicine you start or stop using.