Health factors and meclizine
Certain medical conditions or other health factors may increase the risk of interactions with meclizine oral tablet. Before taking meclizine, tell your doctor about your health history. They’ll discuss any warnings with you and determine whether meclizine is right for you.
These health conditions or other factors might interact with meclizine oral tablet:
Alcohol and meclizine
Meclizine oral tablet is known to interact with alcohol.
Taking meclizine oral tablet and drinking alcohol may cause:
- drowsiness, which may be severe
- problems with balance and coordination, which may be severe
- slowed thinking and decision making
If you drink alcohol and have concerns about avoiding it while taking meclizine oral tablet, talk with your doctor.
Questions about meclizine and interactions
Here you’ll find answers to some common questions about meclizine and possible interactions.
Does meclizine interact with Tylenol?
No, there isn’t a known interaction between meclizine and acetaminophen (Tylenol). Acetaminophen is the generic version of Tylenol.
But acetaminophen can have interactions with other drugs. It also interacts with certain health conditions, especially liver conditions. For these reasons, it’s important to talk with your doctor or pharmacist before taking acetaminophen. They can check to see whether other interactions of acetaminophen could affect you.
Talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you have questions about taking acetaminophen with meclizine.
Do older adults have an increased risk of interactions with meclizine?
Maybe, but it depends on certain factors. In general, older adults (ages 65 years and older) tend to take more medications than younger adults. This increases the risk of interactions, including interactions with meclizine.
Older adults are also more sensitive to certain side effects caused by meclizine, such as drowsiness and problems with balance and coordination. This means older adults are more likely to be affected by an interaction that increases the risk of these side effects.
In older adults, doctors will usually start meclizine treatment with a low dosage. This is to help lower the risk of side effects. When you start meclizine therapy, be sure to tell your doctor about all medications you take. This will help them determine your risk of interactions, and whether treatment with meclizine is safe for you.
Talk with your doctor if you have questions about meclizine interactions in older adults.
When to avoid meclizine
Certain health conditions or other factors could increase some risks with meclizine oral tablet. Because of this, doctors may not prescribe meclizine in these cases. These health conditions or other factors are called contraindications.
Here’s a contraindication for meclizine oral tablet:
- Past allergic reaction to meclizine. If you’ve ever had an allergic reaction to meclizine oral tablet, taking it again may cause another allergic reaction.
Before you start taking meclizine, tell your doctor if the above warning relates to you. They can recommend whether you should take meclizine.
Other interactions and meclizine
Interactions can occur with supplements, foods, vaccines, and some lab tests. Below you can learn whether meclizine oral tablet has these interactions.
The information below doesn’t include all other possible interactions with meclizine.
Meclizine and supplements
Before taking meclizine oral tablet, tell your doctor and pharmacist about any herbs you take, as well as vitamins and supplements. Doing so may help you avoid interactions.
Meclizine oral tablet may interact with melatonin supplements. These supplements are often used as natural sleep aids. Taking them together can increase the risk of drowsiness as a side effect of melatonin and meclizine.
If you have questions about interactions that may affect you, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Meclizine interactions with herbs
Meclizine oral tablet may interact with valerian, also called valerian root. This herb is often used for supporting sleep.
Taking meclizine and valerian can increase the risk of side effects, including drowsiness and problems with balance and coordination.
Because of this, ask your doctor or pharmacist before taking any of these products while taking meclizine oral tablet.
Meclizine interactions with vitamins
Meclizine oral tablet isn’t known to interact with any vitamins. But this doesn’t mean interactions with vitamins can’t happen or won’t be identified later.
Because of this, ask your doctor or pharmacist before taking any of these products while using meclizine oral tablet.
Meclizine and food
Meclizine oral tablet isn’t known to interact with foods. But this doesn’t mean interactions with foods can’t happen or won’t be identified later.
Because of this, talk with your doctor or pharmacist about what foods you should avoid while taking meclizine oral tablet.
Meclizine and vaccines
Meclizine oral tablet isn’t known to interact with any vaccines. But this doesn’t mean interactions with vaccines can’t happen or won’t be identified later.
Because of this, talk with your doctor or pharmacist before receiving any vaccines while taking meclizine oral tablet.
Meclizine and lab tests
Meclizine oral tablet isn’t known to interact with lab tests. But this doesn’t mean interactions with lab tests can’t happen or won’t be identified later.
Because of this, talk with your doctor or pharmacist before having any tests while using meclizine oral tablet.
Meclizine and cannabis or CBD
Reports have shown cannabis (commonly called marijuana) and cannabis products may interact with meclizine. Cannabidiol (CBD) is an example of a cannabis product.
Taking meclizine and using cannabis can increase the risk of side effects of meclizine and cannabis. These include drowsiness and problems with coordination and balance.
Before you use meclizine, tell your doctor and pharmacist if you use cannabis. Doing so may help prevent possible interactions.
Note: Cannabis is illegal at a federal level but is legal in many states to varying degrees.
Preventing meclizine interactions
You may be able to help avoid certain interactions with meclizine oral tablet. Before taking this drug, you may want to discuss possible interactions with your doctor and pharmacist.
Things to consider include:
- Whether you drink alcohol or use cannabis.
- Other medications and herbs you take, as well as vitamins and supplements. Your doctor or pharmacist can help you fill out a medication list.
- What to do if you’re prescribed a new drug while taking meclizine oral tablet.
Taking meclizine exactly as prescribed can also help prevent interactions.
What to ask your doctor
If you have questions about meclizine and possible interactions, talk with your doctor.
Questions you may want to ask your doctor include:
- If meclizine interacts with a medication I take, how will I be monitored for side effects?
- Do I need to take my medications at different times throughout the day to avoid interactions?
- Do other drugs that could treat my condition have similar interactions as meclizine?
- Is it safe to take ibuprofen while I’m taking meclizine?
Disclaimer: Optum Perks has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.
