This article describes possible side effects of meclizine oral tablet and meclizine chewable tablet. You’ll also find information on cost savings and coupon options for meclizine. You can explore this overview article to learn more about meclizine, including the drug’s uses, side effects, ways to save on cost, and more.
Meclizine oral tablet and chewable tablet are generic versions of the brand-name drug Antivert. Meclizine also comes in an over-the-counter (OTC) form, but only the prescription form is described in this article. To learn more about the OTC form, talk with your doctor.
More common side effects of meclizine
Meclizine oral tablet and chewable tablet may cause mild or serious side effects. Below are some of the more common side effects of this medication.
Commonly reported side effects of meclizine tablets include:
- vomiting
- headache
- fatigue (low energy)
- drowsiness*
- dry mouth*
* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects of meclizine in detail” section below.
Mild side effects of meclizine
Meclizine may cause certain mild side effects. Usually, mild side effects are temporary and can be easily managed. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have side effects that don’t go away or become bothersome.
Mild side effects of meclizine oral tablet and chewable tablet that occurred in studies or after the drug was approved for use include:
- vomiting
- headache
- fatigue (low energy)
- drowsiness*
- dry mouth*
- blurred vision*
- mild allergic reaction*†
* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects of meclizine in detail” section below.
† An allergic reaction is possible with meclizine. But it’s unclear whether it occurred in the drug’s studies.
Serious side effects of meclizine
Meclizine may cause certain serious side effects. If you have any serious side effects from meclizine oral tablet or chewable tablet, call your doctor right away. But if you think you’re having a medical emergency or your side effects feel life threatening, take immediate action. Call 911 or a local emergency number, or go to the nearest emergency room.
After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks and reviews side effects of the medication. Visit MedWatch’s website if you’d like to notify the FDA about a side effect you’ve had with meclizine.
A severe allergic reaction* is a possible serious side effect of meclizine oral tablet and chewable tablet. But it’s unclear whether this reaction occurred in the drug’s studies. This side effect may have occurred in people after the drug was approved for use.
* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects of meclizine in detail” section below.
Common questions about side effects of meclizine
Here are answers to some common questions about side effects of meclizine oral tablet and meclizine chewable tablet. If you have other questions, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Is meclizine safe for older adults?
Yes, meclizine tablets are considered safe for most older adults. (Older adult typically refers to people ages 65 years and older.) Specific side effects have not been reported in older adults who’ve taken meclizine.
In general, older adults may have health conditions that increase their risk of side effects from any drug, including meclizine. Examples of these conditions include heart, liver, and kidney problems. For this reason, doctors may prescribe older adults a dosage of meclizine that is lower than usual. Doing so may reduce the risk of side effects from the drug.
Talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you have questions about how your age may affect your safety when taking meclizine.
How long do side effects of meclizine usually last?
Usually, side effects of meclizine go away within a few hours or days. Long-term side effects aren’t expected with meclizine. To learn more about this, see the question below.
If you have long lasting side effects with meclizine tablets, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They can review your symptoms and determine whether it’s safe for you to continue taking meclizine. If needed, they can recommend an alternative treatment.
Does meclizine cause long-term side effects?
No, long-term side effects aren’t expected with meclizine tablets. Specific side effects have not been reported in people who’ve taken the drug for a long time. Long lasting side effects after treatment ended also weren’t reported.
Keep in mind that meclizine isn’t usually prescribed long term. It’s typically used as a short-term treatment for vertigo (a type of dizziness or spinning sensation).
Talk with your doctor if you have questions about possible long-term side effects with meclizine.
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Side effects of meclizine in detail
Below you’ll find details on some of the side effects of meclizine oral tablet.
Drowsiness
Drowsiness was a common side effect in people taking meclizine oral tablet and chewable tablet. But it’s unclear whether this reaction occurred in the drug’s studies. This side effect may have occurred in people after the drug was approved for use. This side effect is usually mild. But it may be serious enough to affect your ability to perform certain tasks. These include driving or operating heavy machinery.
With drowsiness, you feel unusually tired or sleepy.
Certain factors can increase the risk of drowsiness with meclizine. These include taking meclizine with alcohol or other medications that cause drowsiness.
Ways to manage
If you have concerns about drowsiness with meclizine, tell your doctor. They can recommend other treatment options for your condition. These may include home remedies for vertigo or medications that are less likely to cause drowsiness.
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Get free cardDry mouth
Dry mouth was a common side effect in people taking meclizine oral tablet and chewable tablet. But it’s unclear whether this reaction occurred in the drug’s studies. This side effect may have occurred in people after the drug was approved for use. This side effect is usually mild.
With dry mouth, you have a parched or sticky feeling in your mouth. Symptoms may include bad breath, cracked lips, and dry throat.
Ways to manage
If you have concerns about dry mouth with meclizine, tell your doctor. They’ll likely recommend ways to relieve or help prevent this side effect. Examples include:
- sucking on sugarless hard candy or chewing sugarless gum
- using an alcohol-free mouth rinse
- limiting salt intake
- taking frequent sips of water throughout the day
Blurred vision
Blurred vision was a rare side effect in people taking meclizine oral tablet and chewable tablet. But it’s unclear whether this reaction occurred in the drug’s studies. This side effect may have occurred in people after the drug was approved for use. This side effect is usually mild.
With blurred vision, your eyes are unable to focus.
Ways to manage
If you have blurred vision with meclizine, tell your doctor. They may advise you to stop taking meclizine and can recommend other treatment options for your condition.
Allergic reaction
For some people, meclizine oral tablet and chewable tablet can cause an allergic reaction. But it’s not clear whether this side effect occurred in the drug’s studies. This side effect may have occurred in people after the drug was approved for use.
Symptoms can be mild or serious, and they may include:
- itchiness
- skin rash
- swelling under the skin, usually affecting eyelids, lips, hands, or feet
- swelling of the mouth, tongue, or throat, which can make it hard to breathe
- flushing (temporary warmth, redness, or deepening of skin color)
Ways to manage
For mild allergic reaction symptoms, such as a mild rash, call your doctor right away. They may recommend treatments to help manage your symptoms. They’ll also let you know whether you should keep taking the medication.
For severe allergic reaction symptoms, such as swelling or trouble breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. These symptoms require immediate medical care because they can become life threatening. If you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to meclizine, your doctor may recommend taking a different medication instead.
Warnings for meclizine
Below are some factors you may want to discuss with your doctor before taking meclizine oral tablet or chewable tablet.
Warnings
It may not be safe for you to take meclizine tablets if you have specific health conditions. These are sometimes called drug-condition interactions. Other things may also affect whether meclizine is a safe treatment option for you.
Before taking meclizine tablets, tell your doctor about your health and medications you take. Things to consider include:
Meclizine and pregnancy
It’s not known whether meclizine oral tablet or chewable tablet should be taken during pregnancy. If you’re planning a pregnancy or can become pregnant, talk with your doctor before taking this medication.
Meclizine and breastfeeding
It’s not known whether meclizine oral tablet or chewable tablet should be taken while breastfeeding. If you’re currently breastfeeding or planning to do so, talk with your doctor before taking this medication.
Meclizine and alcohol
Meclizine oral tablet and chewable tablet are known to interact with alcohol. It may be best to avoid alcohol while you’re taking the drug.
This is because alcohol and meclizine can cause drowsiness as a side effect. Combining meclizine and alcohol could lead to severe drowsiness.
If you drink alcohol, talk with your doctor about whether it’s safe to consume it during your treatment with meclizine.
What to ask your doctor
This article describes common and serious side effects of meclizine oral tablet and chewable tablet. If your doctor prescribes this medication, they can discuss possible side effects with you. Let your doctor know if you have concerns or questions about treatment with this medication.
Here’s a list of some possible questions you may want to ask your doctor:
- How do the side effects of meclizine compare with other antihistamine drugs?
- Do other medications I take increase my risk of side effects from meclizine?
- Does my health history increase my risk of side effects from 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.
