Meclizine

Meclizine (MEK li zeen) is a generic medication prescribed for vertigo (spinning sensations) related to inner ear problems. Meclizine belongs to a group of drugs called antihistamines.

Medically reviewed by Patricia Weiser, PharmD on May 15, 2023
Written by Helen Marshall, BPharm, MRPharmS

Introduction

Meclizine is also available over the counter for motion sickness and other uses. For more information, see the “Common questions about meclizine” section below.

This article describes meclizine’s uses, side effects, and more. Below you’ll also find some coupon options to help save on the cost of meclizine.

Side effects of meclizine

Meclizine may cause mild or serious side effects. More common mild side effects of meclizine and its serious side effects are listed below. This article doesn’t include all possible side effects of the drug. Side effects can vary based on your age, overall health, and any other medications you take.

To learn more about meclizine’s side effects, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. You can also read the prescribing information* for meclizine.

* To view meclizine’s prescribing information, see the “Article resources” section below.

Mild side effects

More common mild side effects reported with meclizine are listed below.

This article doesn’t include all possible mild side effects of the drug. To learn more about meclizine’s side effects, see the prescribing information* for meclizine.

With many drugs, mild side effects may go away within a few days or a couple of weeks. If the side effects are bothersome, tell your doctor or pharmacist. They may be able to suggest ways to manage them.

Mild side effects of meclizine oral tablet and chewable tablet include:

• drowsiness
• dry mouth
• fatigue (low energy)
• headache
• mild allergic reaction†

* To view meclizine’s prescribing information, see the “Article resources” section below.
† For details about this side effect, see the “Interactions and warnings for meclizine” section below.

Serious side effects

One serious side effect of meclizine is below.

This article doesn’t include all possible serious side effects of the drug. To learn more about meclizine’s serious side effects, see the prescribing information* for meclizine.

With many drugs, serious side effects are possible but not common. If you have serious side effects from this drug, call your doctor right away. If you’re having severe symptoms or a medical emergency, call 911 or a local emergency number.

One of meclizine’s serious side effects is severe allergic reaction.†

* To view meclizine’s prescribing information, see the “Article resources” section below.
† For details about this side effect, see the “Interactions and warnings for meclizine” section below.

Uses of meclizine

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves prescription drugs such as meclizine for certain conditions. Approved uses for meclizine are described below.

Use for vertigo

Doctors may prescribe meclizine oral tablet and chewable tablet for treating vertigo that’s related to problems with your inner ear. It’s used for this purpose in adults and children ages 12 years and older. It’s usually prescribed as a short-term treatment.

With vertigo, you have dizziness that feels like you or your surroundings are spinning. This sensation can also cause nausea and vomiting. Vertigo is usually related to a problem with the vestibular system in your inner ear. The vestibular system is responsible for managing balance.

Meclizine helps relieve dizziness, nausea, and vomiting related to vertigo.

Common questions about meclizine

Below you’ll find answers to a few commonly asked questions about meclizine.

Is meclizine similar to Dramamine?

Yes, meclizine is similar to Dramamine. Both drugs reduce dizziness, nausea, and vomiting. Meclizine is prescribed for vertigo, and you can also buy it over the counter (OTC) for motion sickness. Dramamine is an OTC medication used for motion sickness and nausea from other causes.

There are a few different forms of Dramamine available. Some forms contain meclizine as the active ingredient. These include Dramamine-N and Dramamine Less Drowsy. The original form of Dramamine contains a drug similar to meclizine, called dimenhydrinate. The body converts this drug into diphenhydramine.

Diphenhydramine and meclizine both belong to a group of drugs called antihistamines. They work in the same way to reduce dizziness, nausea, and vomiting. Diphenhydramine is more likely to cause drowsiness than meclizine.

To learn more about how meclizine compares with different forms of Dramamine, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They can recommend the medication that’s best for you.

Does meclizine make you feel drowsy or sleepy? If so, how long does this side effect usually last?

Yes, meclizine can make you feel drowsy or sleepy. This is one of the more common side effects of the medication. If you have this side effect, it may last for about 8–24 hours after taking a dose.

If you feel drowsy or sleepy while taking meclizine, do not drive or do other activities that could be dangerous, such as operating machines. You should also avoid drinking alcohol because this can make drowsiness worse.

If you have questions about the side effects of meclizine, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Can meclizine be used for nausea, motion sickness, or anxiety?

Yes, it can be. You can buy meclizine OTC for motion sickness. It’s approved to help relieve nausea, vomiting, and dizziness related to motion sickness.

Doctors may also prescribe meclizine to help prevent nausea and vomiting after surgery. And they may prescribe it for nausea and dizziness related to anxiety or panic attacks. However, these are off-label uses of meclizine. With off-label use, a drug is prescribed for a use that’s not approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

To learn more about taking OTC meclizine for motion sickness, talk with your pharmacist. For more information about off-label uses of meclizine, talk with your doctor.

How does meclizine work? And how long does it take to start working?

Meclizine works in your inner ear and brain. It reduces the sensitivity of the vestibular system in your inner ear, which is responsible for managing balance. This helps reduce dizziness and spinning sensations. It also stops nerve messages from being sent to parts of your brain that cause nausea and vomiting. This helps reduce nausea and vomiting.

Meclizine usually starts working about 1 hour after taking a dose. Its effects last for about 8–24 hours. How long the drug stays in your system depends on various factors, including your age and kidney function.

If you have questions about how meclizine works, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Can meclizine be used in dogs?

Veterinarians may prescribe meclizine for motion sickness in dogs.

If you think your pet needs this or any other medication, check with your veterinarian. Do not administer any medications to a pet without checking first, as this could be harmful to your pet.

To find out more about meclizine’s use in dogs, talk with your pet’s veterinarian.

Is meclizine safe for older adults?

Yes, meclizine is usually safe for older adults (ages 65 years and over). However, older adults may clear meclizine from their system more slowly than younger adults. This may raise their risk of meclizine side effects. They may also be more sensitive to certain side effects, such as drowsiness and dry mouth.

To help avoid side effects in older adults, doctors usually prescribe lower doses of meclizine for this age group.

If you have questions about meclizine use in older adults, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Dosage of meclizine

The dosage of meclizine your doctor prescribes may vary based on your condition and certain other factors. Talk with your doctor about the dosage you should follow.

Taking or chewing meclizine

Meclizine oral tablet is swallowed, and meclizine chewable tablet is chewed then swallowed. Both can be taken with or without food.

Your doctor will talk with you about how to take meclizine. They’ll explain how much to take and how often. Always follow your doctor’s recommendation.

Overdose of meclizine

You should not take more meclizine than your doctor prescribes. For some drugs, doing so may lead to serious side effects or overdose.

If you think you’ve taken too much meclizine, call your doctor or pharmacist right away. Or you could call 800-222-1222 to speak with someone at America’s Poison Centers. You can also use its online resource. If you have concerning symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number immediately. You can also go to the closest emergency room.

Interactions and warnings for meclizine

Below, you’ll find information about meclizine’s possible interactions and warnings.

Interactions of meclizine

For some medications, certain things may affect how the drug works. These include getting vaccines, consuming alcohol* or certain foods, or taking the drug with other medications. This effect is called a drug interaction.

Before you take meclizine, ask your doctor to check for possible interactions. Be sure to tell them about any of the following you take or use:

• prescription medications
• over-the-counter medications
• vitamins, herbs, or supplements

To learn about drug-condition interactions, see the “Warnings for meclizine” section below.

* It’s recommended that you do not drink alcohol while taking meclizine. Talk with your doctor if you have concerns about avoiding alcohol while taking meclizine.

Warnings for meclizine

Some people should not take meclizine, and others should take it cautiously.

Meclizine could cause harm to people with certain health conditions. This effect is called a drug-condition interaction. Other factors can also affect whether meclizine is a safe option for you.

Ask your doctor about specific warnings for meclizine, and be sure to tell your doctor about your:

• current health, including any allergies to medications
• past health conditions or surgeries

Allergic reaction

Meclizine can cause an allergic reaction in some people. Severe allergic reactions are rare but possible.

If you’ve had an allergic reaction to meclizine or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe meclizine. They can tell you about medications that are safer options for you.

A mild allergic reaction may cause the following symptoms:

• skin rash
• itchiness
• flushing (temporary warmth, redness, or deepening of skin color)

A severe allergic reaction may cause the following symptoms:

• swelling under your skin, usually in your hands, feet, eyelids, or lips
• swelling of your mouth, throat, or tongue, which can cause breathing problems

If you have an allergic reaction to meclizine, call your doctor right away. If you have severe symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number.

Pregnancy or breastfeeding and meclizine

Information about meclizine and pregnancy and breastfeeding is described below.

Meclizine and pregnancy

It’s not known whether meclizine 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 should be taken while breastfeeding. If you’re currently breastfeeding or planning to do so, talk with your doctor before taking this medication.

Meclizine coupon

You may be able to save money on your prescription for meclizine by using our Perks discount coupons. They can be found at the end of this article.

If you have questions about how to pay for meclizine, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Note: Optum Perks coupons cannot be used with insurance copays or benefits.

What to ask your doctor

This article describes meclizine’s uses and dosage, ways to save on cost, and more. Let your doctor know if you have questions about meclizine or would like more details about it.

Here’s a list of some possible questions you may want to ask your doctor:

• Is meclizine available as a brand-name drug?
• What dose of meclizine will I need?
• Can I take meclizine together with other medications?

Article resources

• Meclizine hydrochloride tablets, for oral use; meclizine hydrochloride chewable tablets, for oral use. (2022). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/c9ddc39c-bc6b-42f1-8c5f-5aff2d79c4bd/spl-doc
• Food and Drug Administration. (2023). Orange Book: Approved drug products with therapeutic equivalence evaluations. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/ob/index.cfm

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.