What is the best medicine for vertigo? Discover the uses, dosage, and side effects of meclizine, an effective treatment for motion sickness and vertigo.

Understanding Meclizine: An Overview

Meclizine is an antihistamine medication commonly used to treat or prevent nausea, vomiting, and dizziness caused by motion sickness. It is also effective in managing the symptoms of vertigo, a condition characterized by a spinning or whirling sensation. This comprehensive guide will explore the uses, dosage, and potential side effects of meclizine, providing you with the information you need to make an informed decision about your treatment.

Uses of Meclizine

Meclizine has a wide range of applications, including:

• Treating motion sickness: Meclizine can help alleviate the nausea, vomiting, and dizziness associated with motion sickness caused by travel, amusement park rides, or other activities that involve movement.
• Managing vertigo: Meclizine can be effective in reducing the symptoms of vertigo, which can be caused by various underlying conditions affecting the inner ear.
• Alleviating seasickness: Meclizine can be used to prevent and treat seasickness, a type of motion sickness that occurs during water-based activities such as sailing or cruising.

Dosage and Administration

The recommended dosage of meclizine can vary depending on the specific condition being treated and the age and weight of the patient. Here are some general guidelines:

• Motion sickness: Typically, meclizine is taken about an hour before engaging in the activity that may cause motion sickness. The recommended dose is 25-100 mg, taken once daily.
• Vertigo: For the treatment of vertigo, meclizine is usually taken several times per day, with doses ranging from 12.5-25 mg every 4-8 hours.
• Children: Meclizine is not recommended for children under the age of 12 unless specifically prescribed by a healthcare provider.

It’s important to follow your healthcare provider’s instructions carefully and not exceed the recommended dosage, as this can increase the risk of side effects.

Potential Side Effects of Meclizine

Like any medication, meclizine can cause side effects. Some of the most common side effects include:

• Drowsiness or fatigue
• Dry mouth
• Headache
• Vomiting

More severe side effects, although rare, may include allergic reactions, such as hives, difficulty breathing, or swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat. If you experience any of these side effects, seek immediate medical attention.

Precautions and Interactions

Before taking meclizine, it’s important to inform your healthcare provider about any existing medical conditions, such as liver or kidney disease, asthma, glaucoma, or urination problems. Meclizine may also interact with certain medications, including:

• Sleeping pills, narcotic pain medication, or muscle relaxers
• Antidepressants, such as bupropion, duloxetine, fluoxetine, paroxetine, or sertraline
• Quinidine or terbinafine

Combining meclizine with these medications can increase the risk of side effects, such as drowsiness and slowed breathing. It’s crucial to inform your healthcare provider about all the medications you are currently taking, including over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

Meclizine and Pregnancy

Meclizine is generally considered safe for use during pregnancy, as it is classified as a pregnancy category B drug by the FDA. However, it’s still important to discuss the potential risks and benefits with your healthcare provider, especially if you are in the early stages of pregnancy or planning to become pregnant.

Choosing the Right Treatment

If you are experiencing motion sickness, vertigo, or other related symptoms, it’s essential to consult with a healthcare provider to determine the appropriate course of treatment. They can evaluate your specific condition and medical history to recommend the most effective and safe medication, which may include meclizine or other options. Remember, always follow your healthcare provider’s instructions and report any side effects or concerns promptly.

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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Other brands

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Related treatment guides

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• 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.

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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Patient resources

Other brands

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.

Dizziness

Atherosclerosis

Iron deficiency

Ischemia

Otitis

Brain tumor

Arrhythmia

Osteochondrosis

Migraine

Parkinson’s disease

Alzheimer’s disease

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31 July

Dizziness – the causes of occurrence, in which diseases it occurs, diagnosis and methods of treatment.

Every person during his life at least once experienced dizziness – a condition in which it seems that the body and / or the environment are rotating, there is a feeling of instability, balance is lost, orientation in space is disturbed.

A single dizziness is not a cause for concern, but if the attacks are repeated regularly, and also become prolonged, accompanied by other symptoms (nausea, vomiting, heart palpitations, etc.) – this is a reason to see a doctor.

It is very important to identify the cause of dizziness in a timely manner, because, firstly, it can be a symptom of serious diseases, and secondly, dizziness is dangerous in itself, because it can lead to injuries.

Varieties of dizziness

It is customary to distinguish between the following types of dizziness:

– proprioceptive – with a sense of movement (rotation) of the body in space;

– tactile – with a sense of movement, swing, instability of the support under the feet;

– visual – with a sense of the movement of the environment around you.

Dizziness is also divided into central and peripheral. Peripheral dizziness begins acutely: a person cannot stand without support, is forced to sit down or even lie down. In this case, as a rule, there are nausea, vomiting, excessive sweating, heart palpitations, tinnitus. Central vertigo is less pronounced, but differs in duration. With this type of dizziness, such neurological symptoms as blurred vision, impaired tactile and pain sensitivity, and coordination are observed.

Possible causes of dizziness

Dizziness can occur for a variety of reasons, including in completely healthy people: for example, under stress, as a result of poor nutrition, frequent smoking and alcohol intoxication, impaired focusing of vision, fast non-linear movement (for example, on a carousel), etc. .

Dizziness can be caused by medication,

including antibiotics, diuretics, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (diclofenac, ibuprofen, etc.), anticancer drugs (used for chemotherapy), angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (enalapril, fosinopril), antidepressants, antimalarial drugs, calcium channel blockers (nifedipine, etc. ) and etc.

To find out the exact cause of dizziness, you need to consult a doctor who will conduct an initial examination and prescribe methods for further diagnosis. It should be remembered that

dizziness can be a symptom of a dozen different diseases, the diagnosis of which requires various studies.

What diseases cause dizziness

Diseases of the inner ear

Intense rotational vertigo is a typical symptom of diseases of the inner ear (an organ that is responsible not only for hearing, but also for balance),

such as:

– benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV). The cause of this pathology is the displacement of otoliths – the smallest crystals located on the surface of the cells of the inner ear, and a change in the normal hydromechanics of the fluids of the inner ear. BPPV is manifested by sudden, short-term, severe dizziness when changing body position, sometimes accompanied by nausea and vomiting;

– Meniere’s disease. A disease in which there is an increase in the volume of fluid in the inner ear and an increase in pressure in it. The patient has recurrent attacks of progressive deafness (usually unilateral), tinnitus and dizziness. The causes of this disease are not completely clear, but they can be associated with vascular pathologies, the consequences of injuries (head, ear), inflammatory and infectious diseases of the inner ear.

Dizziness can be caused by inflammation (labyrinthitis) and trauma (acoustic, mechanical, barotrauma) of the inner ear.

Diseases of the vessels of the brain (cerebrovascular diseases)

Dizziness can be associated with pathologies in which the blood supply to the brain is disturbed:

– atherosclerosis of cerebral vessels (cerebral atherosclerosis) is a serious disease accompanied by the formation of atherosclerotic plaques in the vessels of the brain and leading to impaired cerebral circulation. In the early stages, it manifests itself with symptoms such as dizziness, fatigue, irritability, difficulty concentrating;

– chronic cerebral ischemia – a disease characterized by a progressive deterioration in the blood supply to the brain. A person suffers from dizziness, headaches, impaired coordination, memory worsens, and the general psychological state.

Volumetric intracranial masses

Dizziness may be associated with neoplasms (for example, acoustic neuroma, etc.), inflammatory lesions of the cerebellum, etc.

Cardiovascular diseases

Dizziness can occur with various cardiovascular pathologies: cardiac arrhythmias (arrhythmias, tachycardia, bradycardia), arterial hypo- or hypertension, heart failure, etc.

Degenerative-dystrophic changes in the cervical spine

Dizziness is often found in patients with problems of the cervical spine, such as osteochondrosis, protrusions and herniated discs, uncovertebral arthrosis of the cervical spine. Dizziness occurs due to difficulty in the flow of blood to the brain due to compression of the vertebral arteries.

Also, dizziness can be caused by neurological and mental diseases, such as Parkinson’s disease, migraine, Alzheimer’s disease, a number of infectious diseases, anemia (a decrease in hemoglobin levels in the blood).

Which doctors should I contact?

When dizziness occurs, you should first of all contact a therapist (children – a pediatrician), who will determine which specialist to refer to next. If the possible cause of dizziness is associated with diseases of the cardiovascular system, you will need to consult a cardiologist. If the symptoms indicate a pathology of the inner ear – a neurologist and an otolaryngologist. With neurosis, anxiety, the patient will be referred to a psychotherapist, neurologist.

Diagnostics and examinations

To accurately diagnose cerebrovascular diseases leading to dizziness, ultrasound examination of the vessels of the brain allows,

In cardiovascular diseases, electrocardiography (ECG), echocardiography (EchoCG), 24-hour Holter ECG monitoring, and keeping a blood pressure diary will help to identify the cause of dizziness.

Treatment

Since dizziness is not an independent disease, but a symptom of various pathologies, treatment is prescribed depending on the underlying disease.

What to do if you feel dizzy

If you regularly experience dizziness, you should see your doctor.

You should also know what safety precautions you need to take during an attack of dizziness. First, stay calm. Get into a position where you feel stable. It is best to lie down so that the head and shoulders are at the same level. Loosen clothing that restricts movement. Reduce bright lights and loud noises. If possible, measure blood pressure, monitor the pulse rate, the presence of arrhythmias. If dizziness is accompanied by an increase in blood pressure, fever, severe weakness, sweating, heart rhythm disturbances, visual impairment, speech impairment, movement coordination – immediately call an ambulance!

Sources:

1. “Clinical guidelines” Bradyarrhythmias and conduction disorders “. Developed by: Russian Society of Cardiology, All-Russian Scientific Society of Specialists in Clinical Electrophysiology, Arrhythmology and Electrical Stimulation, Association of Cardiovascular Surgeons of Russia. – 2020.
2. “Clinical guidelines “Supraventricular tachycardia”. Developed by: All-Russian Scientific Society of Specialists in Clinical Electrophysiology, Arrhythmology and Electrical Stimulation, Association of Cardiovascular Surgeons of Russia, Russian Society of Cardiology. – 2020.
3. Kandyba DV Diagnosis and treatment of vestibulopathy in outpatient practice // Russian Family Doctor. – 2017, 21(4): 6-14.

IMPORTANT!

The information in this section should not be used for self-diagnosis or self-treatment. In case of pain or other exacerbation of the disease, only the attending physician should prescribe diagnostic tests. For diagnosis and proper treatment, you should contact your doctor.
For a correct assessment of the results of your analyzes over time, it is preferable to do studies in the same laboratory, since different laboratories may use different research methods and units of measurement to perform the same analyzes.

Dizziness: causes, symptoms and treatment, what to do about it

Dizziness is common and can occur at any age. Often people live with dizziness for more than one month and do not go to the doctor, believing that this is a temporary phenomenon, it will go away on its own, and so on. But now you can get rid of this unpleasant feeling. Together with the neurologist of the Pirogov Clinic, Pavel Vyacheslavovich Smirnov, we understand the types of dizziness and related diseases, as well as popular misconceptions.

What are dizziness

What is dizziness? Usually we mean such symptoms as staggering, general weakness, darkening of the eyes. Since most often it is problematic for a person to describe his feelings, diagnosis can be a difficult task. However, determining the type of dizziness is the most important thing.

Physicians classify dizziness into systemic and non-systemic .

Systemic dizziness is similar to the sensations that occur after riding a carousel: the ground is creeping out from under your feet, there is no focusing of your eyes, objects are floating from side to side. Such dizziness can be accompanied by nausea and even vomiting, an increase in blood pressure.

And non-systemic dizziness is called just the symptoms that we have already talked about: instability when walking, weakness, darkening in the eyes, fainting.

Systemic vertigo is a specific disease.

1) Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) – up to 50-60% of cases.

BPPV manifests itself when turning the head, most often in a horizontal position, when turning from one side to another. It proceeds paroxysmal: a change in the position of the head or torso provokes dizziness, which usually lasts up to 30 seconds. Then it fades and does not bother if you do not move, but at the next turn the attack will repeat. As a rule, patients with BPPV feel much better if they are in an upright position.

2) Meniere’s disease – 15-20% of cases.

Vertigo is accompanied by noise in the ear or in the head on one side. The head is spinning strongly, there may be nausea or vomiting. Noise is heard necessarily in one ear (then noise from both sides may join), when dizziness begins, and when it stops, the noise subsides. The attack usually lasts 3-5 days.

3) Vestibular migraine – 5-8% of cases.

This is a relatively rare diagnosis, which is manifested by an attack of systemic dizziness (maybe nausea) lasting 5-30 minutes and followed by the development of a headache. This is almost a mandatory symptom for making such a diagnosis.

4) Vestibular neuronitis – 5-8% of cases.

The disease resembles Meniere’s disease, but there is no noise in the ears or head. Symptoms: dizziness with nausea, vomiting, regardless of body position. Within 2 months, you may experience unsteadiness when walking. The duration of the attack is 5-7 days, exacerbation – no more than two times. If an exacerbation occurs more often, this means that the diagnosis is different.

5) Group of rare types of dizziness – no more than 5% of cases.

Where do non-systemic dizziness come from?

And again, the blame for everything (up to 80% of cases) is stress and depression. In such cases, dizziness “coexists” with increased anxiety or apathy, sleep disturbances.

In other cases, non-systemic dizziness causes:

– low blood pressure,

– an increase or decrease in sugar levels,

– lowering the level of hemoglobin in the blood,

– large atherosclerotic plaques in the vessels of the neck,

– heart disease, leading to a decrease in blood pressure,

– Focal brain damage and other pathologies.

Once there was an opinion that cervical osteochondrosis causes dizziness. However, it has now been scientifically proven that such dizziness almost never occurs, only as a rare exception. For the so-called cervical dizziness to occur, a lot of factors must converge, and even then they will most likely lead to an ischemic stroke.