Yes

Antihistamine

Prevention and treatment of symptoms of motion sickness; management of vertigo with diseases affecting the vestibular system

B

Clinical effects on the fetus: No data available on crossing the placenta. Probably no effect on the fetus (insufficient data). Available evidence suggests safe use during pregnancy.

Breast-feeding/lactation: No data available

Hypersensitivity to meclizine or any component; pregnancy

Use with caution in patients with angle-closure glaucoma, prostatic hypertrophy, pyloric or duodenal obstruction, or bladder neck obstruction; use with caution in hot weather, and during exercise; elderly may be at risk for anticholinergic side effects such as glaucoma, prostatic hypertrophy, constipation, gastrointestinal obstructive disease; if vertigo does not respond in 1-2 weeks, it is advised to discontinue use

>10%:

Central nervous system: Slight to moderate drowsiness

Respiratory: Thickening of bronchial secretions

1% to 10%:

Central nervous system: Headache, fatigue, nervousness, dizziness

Gastrointestinal: Appetite increase, weight gain, nausea, diarrhea, abdominal pain, xerostomia

Neuromuscular & skeletal: Arthralgia

Respiratory: Pharyngitis

<1%: Palpitations, hypotension, depression, sedation, photosensitivity, rash, angioedema, urinary retention, hepatitis, myalgia, tremor, paresthesia, blurred vision, bronchospasm, epistaxis

Symptoms of overdose include CNS depression, confusion, nervousness, hallucinations, dizziness, blurred vision, nausea, vomiting, hyperthermia

There is no specific treatment for an antihistamine overdose, however, most of its clinical toxicity is due to anticholinergic effects. For anticholinergic overdose with severe life-threatening symptoms, physostigmine 1-2 mg (0.5 mg or 0.02 mg/kg for children) I.V., slowly may be given to reverse these effects.

Increased toxicity: CNS depressants, neuroleptics, anticholinergics

Has central anticholinergic action by blocking chemoreceptor trigger zone; decreases excitability of the middle ear labyrinth and blocks conduction in the middle ear vestibular-cerebellar pathways

Onset of action: Oral: Within 1 hour

Duration: 8-24 hours

Metabolism: Reportedly in the liver

Half-life: 6 hours

Elimination: As metabolites in urine and as unchanged drug in feces

Children >12 years and Adults: Oral:

Vertigo: 25-100 mg/day in divided doses

Alcohol: Additive CNS effect, avoid use

Drowsiness is common; may cause dizziness or nervousness; may rarely cause sedation or depression

Concurrent use with psychotropic may produce additive sedation and dry mouth

No information available to require special precautions

Up to 10% of patients will have significant dry mouth which will disappear with cessation of drug therapy

Take exactly as prescribed; do not increase dose. Avoid alcohol, other CNS depressants, sleeping aids without consulting prescriber. You may experience dizziness, drowsiness, or blurred vision (use caution when driving or engaging in tasks that require alertness until response to drug is known); dry mouth (frequent mouth care, sucking lozenges, or chewing gum may help); constipation (increased dietary fluid, fiber, and fruit and exercise may help); heat intolerance (avoid excessive exercise, hot environments, maintain adequate fluid intake). Report CNS change (hallucination, confusion, nervousness); sudden or unusual weight gain; unresolved nausea or diarrhea; chest pain or palpitations; muscle pain; or changes in urinary pattern. Breast-feeding precautions: Breast-feeding is not recommended.

May impair ability to perform hazardous tasks

Capsule, as hydrochloride: 15 mg, 25 mg, 30 mg

Tablet, as hydrochloride: 12.5 mg, 25 mg, 50 mg

Tablet, as hydrochloride:

Chewable: 25 mg

Film coated: 25 mg

Oosterveld WJ, "Vertigo: Current Concepts in Management," Drugs, 1985, 30(3):275-83.

Park J, Logan R, and Pottage A, "Drug-Induced Extrapyramidal Signs in Chronic Liver Disease - A Case Report," Clin Toxicol, 1977, 11(1):117-20.