Meclizine, Oral MEK-lih-zeen

What are other names for this medicine?

Type of medicine: antiemetic (antinausea)

Generic and brand names: meclizine, oral; Antivert; Bonine Motion Sickness Aid; Bonikraft; Dramamine Less Drowsy; Medivert

What is this medicine used for?

This medicine is used to prevent nausea, vomiting, and other effects of motion sickness. This medicine may be used for other conditions as determined by your healthcare provider.

What should my healthcare provider know before I take this medicine?

Before taking this medicine, tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had:

• an allergic reaction to any medicine
• asthma, bronchitis, emphysema, or other chronic lung disease
• bladder or urinary tract problems
• an enlarged prostate
• glaucoma

Females of childbearing age: Tell your healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Do not breast-feed while taking this medicine without your healthcare provider's approval.

How do I take it?

Check the label on the medicine for directions about your specific dose. Take this medicine exactly as your healthcare provider prescribes. This medicine comes in different strengths and forms. Some tablets must be chewed before swallowing.

If your healthcare provider has not given you specific instructions, follow the directions that come with the medicine package. Do not take more or take it longer than prescribed. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist about anything you do not understand.

To prevent motion sickness, this medicine works best when taken 60 minutes before travel, or as directed. You may take this medicine with milk or food. Taking it with meals may lessen the chance the drug will upset your stomach.

What if I overdose?

If you or anyone else has intentionally taken too much of this medicine, call 911 or go to the emergency room right away. If you pass out, have seizures, weakness or confusion, or have trouble breathing, call 911. If you think that you or anyone else may have taken too much of this medicine, call the poison control center. Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning. The poison control center number is 800-222-1222.

Symptoms of an acute overdose may include: extreme drowsiness, seizures, hallucinations, slow or shallow breathing.

What should I watch out for?

This medicine increases the effects of alcohol and other drugs that slow down your nervous system. Do not drink alcohol or take other medicines unless your healthcare provider approves.

Be careful when you give this medicine to small children because they may become either less alert or overly excited or restless. Do not give this medicine to children younger than 12 years old without your healthcare provider's approval.

This medicine may make you dizzy or drowsy. Do not drive or operate machinery unless you are fully alert.

Dry mouth is a very common side effect of this medicine. If it continues, check with your healthcare provider.

If you need emergency care, surgery, or dental work, tell the healthcare provider or dentist you are taking this medicine.

What are the possible side effects?

Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.

Life-threatening (Report these to your healthcare provider right away. If you cannot reach your healthcare provider right away, get emergency medical care or call 911 for help): Allergic reaction (hives; itching; rash; trouble breathing; tightness in your chest; swelling of your lips, tongue, and throat).

Serious (report these to your healthcare provider right away): Severe drowsiness, confusion, dizziness, irregular or rapid heartbeat, trouble urinating.

Other: Drowsiness, headache, blurred vision, stomach upset, constipation, dry mouth, nose, or throat.

What products might interact with this medicine?

When you take this medicine with other medicines, it can change the way this or any of the other medicines work. Nonprescription medicines, vitamins, natural remedies, and certain foods may also interact. Using these products together might cause harmful side effects. Talk to your healthcare provider if you are taking:

• antihistamines such as brompheniramine (Dimetane), chlorpheniramine (Chlor-Trimeton), and diphenhydramine (Benadryl)
• narcotics such as codeine, hydromorphone (Dilaudid), meperidine (Demerol), morphine (MS Contin, Oramorph SR), and oxycodone (OxyContin, OxyIR)
• natural remedies such as gotu kola, kava, St. John's wort, and valerian
• sedatives such as butabarbital (Butisol), phenobarbital, zaleplon (Sonata), and zolpidem (Ambien)
• tranquilizers such as alprazolam (Xanax), chlordiazepoxide (Librium), diazepam (Valium), and lorazepam (Ativan).
• tricyclic antidepressants such as amitriptyline, desipramine (Norpramin), doxepin, imipramine (Tofranil), and nortriptyline (Pamelor)

Do not drink alcohol while you are taking this medicine.

If you are not sure if your medicines might interact, ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider. Keep a list of all your medicines with you. List all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take. Be sure that you tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.

How should I store this medicine?

Store this medicine at room temperature. Keep the container tightly closed. Protect it from heat, high humidity, and bright light.

This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.

Ask your pharmacist for the best way to dispose of outdated medicine or medicine you have not used. Do not throw medicine in the trash.

Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.

Do not share medicines with other people.