Meclizine

Meclizine is used to prevent and treat nausea, vomiting, and dizziness caused by motion sickness. It is most effective if taken before symptoms appear.

Meclizine comes as a regular and chewable tablet and a capsule. For motion sickness, meclizine should be taken 1 hour before you start to travel. Doses may be taken every 24 hours if needed. For dizziness caused by an ear condition, follow your doctor's directions. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take meclizine exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.

Chewable tablets may be chewed or swallowed whole.

This medication is sometimes prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Before taking meclizine,

• tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to meclizine, any other medications, or any of the ingredients in the meclizine preparation. Ask your doctor or pharmacist or check the package label for a list of the ingredients.
• tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take while taking meclizine. Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects.
• tell your doctor if you have or have ever had glaucoma, an enlarged prostate, urinary tract blockage, or asthma.
• tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding. If you become pregnant while taking meclizine, call your doctor.
• talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of taking meclizine if you are 65 years of age or older. Older adults should not usually take meclizine because it is not as safe or effective as other medications that can be used to treat the same condition.

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember it. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.

Meclizine may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

• drowsiness or fatigue
• dry mouth

Some side effects can be serious. If you experience the following symptom, call your doctor immediately:

• blurred vision

Meclizine may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while you are taking this medication.

If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online (https://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch) or by phone (1-800-332-1088).

Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom).

Keep all medication out of sight and reach of children as many containers are not child-resistant. Always lock safety caps. Place the medication in a safe location – one that is up and away and out of their sight and reach. https://www.upandaway.org

Dispose of unneeded medications in a way so that pets, children, and other people cannot take them. Do not flush this medication down the toilet. Use a medicine take-back program. Talk to your pharmacist about take-back programs in your community. Visit the FDA's Safe Disposal of Medicines website https://goo.gl/c4Rm4p for more information.

In case of overdose, call the poison control helpline at 1-800-222-1222. Information is also available online at https://www.poisonhelp.org/help. If the victim has collapsed, had a seizure, has trouble breathing, or can't be awakened, immediately call emergency services at 911.

Keep all appointments with your doctor.

Do not let anyone else take your medication. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about refilling your prescription.

Keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines, vitamins, minerals, and dietary supplements you are taking. Bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to the hospital. You should carry the list with you in case of emergencies.

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