What is Antivert and how does it work. How should Antivert be taken for vertigo and motion sickness. What are the common side effects of Antivert. Who should not take Antivert. How does Antivert interact with other medications.

Understanding Antivert: A Powerful Antihistamine for Vertigo and Motion Sickness

Antivert, known generically as meclizine, is an antihistamine medication that has proven effective in treating various forms of dizziness and nausea. It belongs to the drug class of anticholinergic antiemetics and works by reducing the effects of histamine in the body. But what exactly does this mean for those suffering from vertigo or motion sickness?

Antivert’s primary function is to alleviate symptoms associated with vestibular disorders and motion-induced nausea. It’s particularly useful for:

• Treating or preventing nausea and vomiting caused by motion sickness
• Managing dizziness or spinning sensations (vertigo) resulting from inner ear conditions
• Reducing the overall severity of motion sickness symptoms

By targeting the body’s histamine response, Antivert helps to stabilize the vestibular system, which is responsible for our sense of balance and spatial orientation. This action can provide significant relief for those who struggle with dizziness and related symptoms.

Dosage and Administration: How to Take Antivert Effectively

Proper dosage and timing are crucial for maximizing the benefits of Antivert. How should you take this medication to ensure optimal results?

For Motion Sickness Prevention:

• Adults and children 12 years and older: Take 25 to 50 mg orally, approximately 1 hour before travel
• Repeat dose every 24 hours if needed during extended travel

For Vertigo Treatment:

• Adults: 25 to 100 mg orally per day, divided into multiple doses
• Children 12 years and older: Same as adult dosage
• Dosing frequency depends on clinical response and should be determined by a healthcare provider

Is Antivert safe for children? The medication should not be given to children under 12 years old without explicit medical advice. Always consult a pediatrician before administering Antivert to minors.

Side Effects and Precautions: What to Watch Out For

While Antivert is generally well-tolerated, it’s important to be aware of potential side effects. What are the most common adverse reactions associated with this medication?

• Drowsiness
• Dry mouth
• Headache
• Vomiting
• Fatigue

In rare cases, more serious side effects may occur. Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:

• Signs of an allergic reaction (hives, difficulty breathing, swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat)
• Severe dizziness or fainting
• Rapid or irregular heartbeat
• Confusion or hallucinations

Can Antivert impair your ability to drive or operate machinery? Yes, this medication may cause drowsiness and affect your reaction times. It’s advisable to avoid driving or engaging in activities requiring alertness until you know how Antivert affects you personally.

Drug Interactions: Navigating Potential Risks

Antivert can interact with various medications, potentially altering their effectiveness or increasing the risk of side effects. Which drugs should be used with caution when taking Antivert?

• Opioid pain medications
• Sleeping pills
• Muscle relaxants
• Anxiety medications
• Seizure medications
• Antidepressants

Does alcohol consumption affect Antivert’s performance? Yes, drinking alcohol can intensify certain side effects of meclizine, particularly drowsiness. It’s best to avoid alcohol while taking this medication.

Always inform your healthcare provider about all medications, supplements, and herbal products you’re using to prevent potential interactions.

Special Considerations: Who Should Exercise Caution with Antivert?

While Antivert is safe for many individuals, certain groups should take extra precautions or avoid the medication altogether. Who needs to be particularly careful when considering Antivert?

• Pregnant or breastfeeding women: Consult with a healthcare provider before use
• Individuals with liver or kidney disease: May require dosage adjustments
• People with asthma: Could potentially exacerbate symptoms
• Those with glaucoma: May increase intraocular pressure
• Men with enlarged prostate: Could worsen urination difficulties

Are there any specific tests that should be performed before starting Antivert? While no specific tests are routinely required, your doctor may recommend liver and kidney function tests if you have a history of problems with these organs.

Antivert vs. Other Vertigo Medications: How Does It Compare?

Antivert is just one of several medications used to treat vertigo and motion sickness. How does it stack up against other options in terms of effectiveness and side effects?

Antivert vs. Dramamine:

Both contain antihistamines, but Dramamine (dimenhydrinate) tends to cause more drowsiness. Antivert is often preferred for long-term use due to its longer-lasting effects and less sedating properties.

Antivert vs. Bonine:

Bonine is actually a brand name for meclizine, the same active ingredient in Antivert. They are essentially identical in terms of effects and dosing.

Antivert vs. Scopolamine:

Scopolamine, available as a transdermal patch, is another option for motion sickness. It may be preferred by some due to its non-oral administration, but it can cause more significant side effects like blurred vision and dry mouth.

Is Antivert more effective than natural remedies for vertigo? While some people find relief with ginger, acupressure, or other natural approaches, Antivert and other antihistamines have more robust clinical evidence supporting their effectiveness for vertigo and motion sickness.

Long-term Use of Antivert: Benefits and Risks

For individuals with chronic vertigo or frequent motion sickness, long-term use of Antivert may be recommended. What are the potential benefits and risks associated with extended use of this medication?

Benefits:

• Consistent symptom relief
• Improved quality of life for those with recurrent vertigo
• Ability to engage in activities that might otherwise trigger symptoms

Risks:

• Potential for tolerance development
• Increased likelihood of experiencing side effects
• Possible masking of underlying conditions causing vertigo

Can long-term use of Antivert lead to dependency? While Antivert is not habit-forming in the traditional sense, your body may become accustomed to its effects over time. Always follow your doctor’s recommendations regarding duration of use.

Alternative Treatments for Vertigo: Beyond Medication

While Antivert can be highly effective, it’s not the only approach to managing vertigo and motion sickness. What other treatments might be worth exploring?

• Vestibular rehabilitation therapy: Specialized exercises to improve balance and reduce dizziness
• Canalith repositioning procedures: Physical maneuvers to treat certain types of vertigo
• Dietary changes: Reducing salt, caffeine, and alcohol intake
• Stress management techniques: Such as meditation or cognitive-behavioral therapy
• Acupuncture: Some studies suggest it may help with vertigo symptoms

Are there any lifestyle changes that can complement Antivert treatment? Yes, maintaining good sleep hygiene, staying hydrated, and avoiding triggers (like certain head movements or visual stimuli) can enhance the effectiveness of medication.

Remember, while Antivert can provide significant relief for many people suffering from vertigo and motion sickness, it’s always best to work closely with a healthcare provider to develop a comprehensive treatment plan tailored to your specific needs and medical history.

Antivert: Uses, Dosage & Side Effects

Generic name: meclizine [ MEK-li-zeen ]
Drug class: Anticholinergic antiemetics

Medically reviewed by Philip Thornton, DipPharm. Last updated on Jun 14, 2023.

What is Antivert?

Antivert is an antihistamine that reduces the effects of natural chemical histamine in the body.

Antivert is used to treat or prevent nausea, vomiting, and dizziness caused by motion sickness.

Antivert is also used to treat symptoms of vertigo (dizziness or spinning sensation) caused by disease that affects your inner ear.

Warnings

Before you take Antivert, tell your doctor if you have liver or kidney disease, asthma, glaucoma, an enlarged prostate, or urination problems.

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.

Follow all directions on your medicine label and package. Tell each of your healthcare providers about all your medical conditions, allergies, and all medicines you use.

Before taking this medicine

You should not use Antivert if you are allergic to meclizine.

Antivert should not be given to a child younger than 12 years old.

Do not give meclizine to a child without medical advice.

To make sure this medicine is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have ever had:

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breast-feeding.

How should I take Antivert?

Use Antivert exactly as directed by your doctor. Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets.

To prevent motion sickness, take Antivert about 1 hour before you travel or anticipate having motion sickness. You may take Antivert once every 24 hours while you are traveling, to further prevent motion sickness.

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

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

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

Dosing information

Usual Adult Dose for Vertigo:

-25 to 100 mg orally per day in divided doses
-Dosing dependent upon clinical response.

Use: Management of vertigo associated with diseases affecting the vestibular system.

Usual Adult Dose for Motion Sickness:

-Initial Dose: 25 to 50 mg orally 1 hour before travel
-Maintenance Dose: Repeat dose every 24 hours if needed

Use: Management of nausea, vomiting, and dizziness associated with motion sickness.

Usual Pediatric Dose for Vertigo:

Age 12 years and older:
-25 to 100 mg orally per day in divided doses
-Dosing dependent upon clinical response.

Use: Management of vertigo associated with diseases affecting the vestibular system.

Usual Pediatric Dose for Motion Sickness:

Age 12 years and older:
-Initial Dose: 25 to 50 mg orally 1 hour before travel
-Maintenance Dose: Repeat dose every 24 hours if needed

Use: Management of nausea, vomiting, and dizziness associated with motion sickness.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Since Antivert is sometimes taken only when needed, you may not be on a dosing schedule. Skip any missed dose if it’s almost time for your next dose. Do not use two doses at one time.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

What to avoid

Avoid driving or hazardous activity until you know how meclizine will affect you. Your reactions could be impaired.

Drinking alcohol can increase certain side effects of meclizine.

Antivert side effects

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

Common Antivert side effects may include:

• drowsiness;

• dry mouth;

• headache;

• vomiting; or

• feeling tired.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What other drugs will affect Antivert?

Using Antivert with other drugs that make you drowsy can worsen this effect. Ask your doctor before using opioid medication, a sleeping pill, a muscle relaxer, or medicine for anxiety or seizures.

Other drugs may interact with meclizine, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any medicine you start or stop using.

More about Antivert (meclizine)

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Dramamine Less Drowsy, Dramamine II, Meclicot, Meni-D, Travel Sickness

Professional resources

• Prescribing Information

Related treatment guides

• Vertigo
• Motion Sickness
• Nausea/Vomiting

Further information

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use Antivert only for the indication prescribed.

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Medical Disclaimer

Copyright 1996-2023 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version: 7.01.

Meclizine: Uses, Dosage & Side Effects

Generic name: meclizine [ MEK-li-zeen ]
Brand names: Antivert, Bonine, D-Vert, Dramamine Less Drowsy, Driminate II,
… show all 9 brands
Meclicot, Medivert, Ru-Vert-M, Meni-D

Drug class: Anticholinergic antiemetics

Medically reviewed by Sanjai Sinha, MD. Last updated on Dec 12, 2022.

What is 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.

Warnings

You should not take this medication if you are allergic to meclizine.

Before you take meclizine, tell your doctor if you have liver or kidney disease, asthma, glaucoma, an enlarged prostate, or urination problems.

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.

Before taking this medicine

You should not use meclizine if you are allergic to it.

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

FDA pregnancy category B. Meclizine is not expected to harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.

It is not known whether meclizine passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

This medicine should not be given to a child younger than 12 years old.

How should I take meclizine?

Use meclizine exactly as 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.

The chewable tablet must be chewed before you swallow it.

To prevent motion sickness, take meclizine about 1 hour before you travel or engage in activity that causes motion sickness. You may take a dose 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 happens 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 happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

What should I avoid?

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.

Meclizine side effects

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.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What other drugs will affect meclizine?

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 this medicine, 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.

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• Breastfeeding
• En español

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• Patient Information
• Meclizine Tablets

Other brands

Antivert, Dramamine Less Drowsy, Dramamine II, Meclicot, … +2 more

Professional resources

• Prescribing Information

Related treatment guides

• Vertigo
• Nausea/Vomiting
• Motion Sickness

Further information

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use meclizine only for the indication prescribed.

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Medical Disclaimer

Copyright 1996-2023 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version: 6.01.

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Medicines for mental illness

The effectiveness of drug therapy with psychotropic drugs is determined by the compliance of the choice of the drug with the clinical picture of the disease, the correctness of its dosing regimen, the method of administration and the duration of the therapeutic course. As in any field of medicine, in psychiatry it is necessary to take into account the entire complex of drugs that the patient takes, since their mutual action can lead not only to a change in the nature of the effects of each of them, but also to the occurrence of undesirable consequences.

There are several approaches to the classification of psychotropic drugs. Table 1 shows the classification proposed by the WHO in 1990, adapted to include some domestic medicines.

Table 1. Classification of psychopharmacological drugs.

The main clinical characteristics and side effects of the listed classes of pharmacological drugs are given below.

Antipsychotics

Clinical characteristics. This class of drugs is central to the treatment of psychoses. However, the scope of their application is not limited to this, since in small doses in combination with other psychotropic drugs they can be used in the treatment of affective disorders, anxiety-phobic, obsessive-compulsive and somatoform disorders, with decompensation of personality disorders.

Regardless of the characteristics of the chemical structure and mechanism of action, all drugs of this group have similar clinical properties: they have a pronounced antipsychotic effect, reduce psychomotor activity and reduce mental arousal, neurotropic action, manifested in the development of extrapyramidal and vegetovascular disorders, many of they also have antiemetic properties.

Side effects. The main side effects in the treatment of neuroleptics form the neuroleptic syndrome. The leading clinical manifestations of this syndrome are extrapyramidal disorders with a predominance of either hypo- or hyperkinetic disorders. Hypokinetic disorders include drug-induced parkinsonism, manifested by increased muscle tone, lockjaw, rigidity, stiffness, and slowness of movement and speech. Hyperkinetic disturbances include tremor and hyperkinesis. Usually in the clinical picture in various combinations there are both hypo- and hyperkinetic disorders. The phenomena of dyskinesia can be paroxysmal in nature, localized in the mouth area and manifested by spasmodic contractions of the muscles of the pharynx, tongue, lips, jaws. Often there are phenomena of akathisia – feelings of restlessness, “restlessness in the legs”, combined with tasikinesia (the need to move, change position). A special group of dyskinesias includes tardive dyskinesia, which occurs after 2-3 years of taking antipsychotics and is expressed in involuntary movements of the lips, tongue, face.

Among the disorders of the autonomic nervous system, orthostatic hypotension, sweating, weight gain, changes in appetite, constipation, diarrhea are most often observed. Sometimes there are anticholinergic effects – visual disturbances, dysuric phenomena. Possible functional disorders of the cardiovascular system with changes in the ECG in the form of an increase in the Q-T interval, a decrease in the T wave or its inversion, tachycardia or bradycardia. Sometimes there are side effects in the form of photosensitivity, dermatitis, skin pigmentation; skin allergic reactions are possible.

Antipsychotics of new generations, compared with traditional derivatives of phenothiazines and butyrophenones, cause significantly fewer side effects and complications.

Tranquilizers

Clinical characteristics. This group includes psychopharmacological agents that relieve anxiety, emotional tension, fear of non-psychotic origin, and facilitate the process of adaptation to stress factors. Many of them have anticonvulsant and muscle relaxant properties. Their use in therapeutic doses does not cause significant changes in cognitive activity and perception. Many of the drugs in this group have a pronounced hypnotic effect and are used primarily as hypnotics. Unlike neuroleptics, tranquilizers do not have a pronounced antipsychotic activity and are used as an additional tool in the treatment of psychosis – to stop psychomotor agitation and correct the side effects of neuroleptics.

Side effects of during treatment with tranquilizers are most often manifested by daytime drowsiness, lethargy, muscle weakness, impaired concentration, short-term memory, as well as a slowdown in the rate of mental reactions. In some cases, paradoxical reactions develop in the form of anxiety, insomnia, psychomotor agitation, hallucinations. Among the dysfunctions of the autonomic nervous system and other organs and systems, hypotension, constipation, nausea, urinary retention or incontinence, decreased libido are noted. Long-term use of tranquilizers is dangerous due to the possibility of developing addiction to them, i.e. physical and mental dependence.

Antidepressants

Clinical characteristics. This class of drugs includes drugs that increase the pathological hypothymic effect, as well as reduce somatovegetative disorders caused by depression. A growing body of scientific evidence now suggests that antidepressants are effective for phobic anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorders. It is assumed that in these cases, not the actual antidepressant, but the anti-obsessional and antiphobic effects are realized. There is data confirming the ability of many antidepressants to increase the threshold of pain sensitivity, to have a preventive effect in migraine and vegetative crises.

Side effects. Side effects related to the central nervous system and the autonomic nervous system are expressed by dizziness, tremor, dysarthria, impaired consciousness in the form of delirium, epileptiform seizures. Possible exacerbation of anxious disorders, activation of suicidal tendencies, inversion of affect, drowsiness or, conversely, insomnia. Side effects may be manifested by hypotension, sinus tachycardia, arrhythmia, impaired atrioventricular conduction.

When taking tricyclic antidepressants, various anticholinergic effects are often observed, as well as an increase in appetite. With the simultaneous use of MAO inhibitors with food products containing tyramine or its precursor – tyrosine (cheeses, etc.), a “cheese effect” occurs, manifested by hypertension, hyperthermia, convulsions and sometimes leading to death.

When prescribing serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and reversible MAO-A inhibitors, there may be disturbances in the activity of the gastrointestinal tract, headaches, insomnia, anxiety, and impotence may develop against the background of SSRIs. In the case of a combination of SSRIs with drugs of the tricyclic group, the formation of the so-called serotonin syndrome, which is manifested by an increase in body temperature and signs of intoxication, is possible.

Normotimics

Clinical characteristics. Normotimics include drugs that regulate affective manifestations and have a preventive effect in phasic affective psychoses. Some of these drugs are anticonvulsants.

Side effects of when using lithium salts are most often tremor. Often there are violations of the function of the gastrointestinal tract – nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, diarrhea. Often there is an increase in body weight, polydipsia, polyuria, hypothyroidism. Acne, maculo-papular rash, alopecia, as well as worsening of psoriasis are possible.

Signs of severe toxic conditions and overdose of the drug are a metallic taste in the mouth, thirst, severe tremor, dysarthria, ataxia; in these cases, the drug should be stopped immediately.

It should also be noted that side effects may be associated with non-compliance with the diet – a large intake of liquid, salt, smoked meats, cheeses.

Side effects of anticonvulsants are most often associated with functional disorders of the central nervous system and manifest as lethargy, drowsiness, ataxia. Hyperreflexia, myoclonus, tremor can be observed much less frequently. The severity of these phenomena is significantly reduced with a smooth increase in doses.

With a pronounced cardiotoxic effect, atrioventricular block may develop.

Nootropics

Clinical characteristics. Nootropics include drugs that can positively affect cognitive functions, stimulate learning, enhance memory processes, increase brain resistance to various adverse factors (in particular, to hypoxia) and extreme stress. However, they do not have a direct stimulating effect on mental activity, although in some cases they can cause anxiety and sleep disturbance.

Side effects – rare. Sometimes there are nervousness, irritability, elements of psychomotor agitation and disinhibition of drives, as well as anxiety and insomnia. Dizziness, headache, nausea and abdominal pain may occur.

Psychostimulants

Clinical characteristics.