Do you feel dizzy after traveling a short distance in a vehicle like a bus or van? Do you feel nauseous and want to vomit? Or do you sometimes feel like the whole world is spinning around you for no reason? Meclizine is a medication that doctors often recommend for these kinds of discomforts. So today, let's talk about what this medication is, how to use it, and what side effects it can cause.
What is Meclizine?
Simply put, Meclizine is an antihistamine . It's like the medicine we take for allergies. But it has two main functions.
1. Relieves Motion Sickness: This medicine is used to prevent nausea, vomiting, and dizziness that some people experience while traveling in vehicles.
2. Treatment of Vertigo: Sometimes you may feel as if you or the things around you are spinning rapidly even when you are standing still. This is what we call Vertigo. Meclizine also helps to control this excessive dizziness.
Things you need to tell your doctor before taking this medicine
It is very important to inform your doctor about any other medical conditions you have before using Meclizine. This is because this medication may interact with some medical conditions. If you have any of the conditions listed below, tell your doctor before taking the medication.
| Your medical condition or condition | Why should you inform? |
|---|---|
| Glaucoma is a condition in which the pressure in the eye is high. | Meclizine can further increase eye pressure. |
| Lung or respiratory diseases such as asthma . | This medicine can thicken respiratory secretions and increase breathing difficulties. |
| Difficulty urinating or prostate disease. | Meclizine may make it more difficult to urinate. |
| Stomach or intestinal problems (e.g., ulcers, blockages). | This medicine can complicate those conditions. |
| Being allergic to Meclizine or other medicines, foods, or dyes. | This is essential to prevent an allergic reaction. |
| If you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant . | No medication should be taken during pregnancy without medical advice. |
| If you are a mother who is breastfeeding a child . | There is a possibility that the medicine can pass to the baby through breast milk. |
How exactly do you use this medicine?
This is not a pill that you swallow with water like a regular pill. This is an oral disintegrating tablet . So it should be used this way.
- Do not take the pill out of the sealed blister pack until you are ready to take it.
- The tablet should be handled with dry hands . Carefully remove the foil from the blister and take out the tablet.
- If the tablet breaks or crumbles when you take it out, do not use it . Throw it away and get a new tablet.
- Keep the tablet in your mouth. It will dissolve with saliva. Then swallow. You don't need to drink water with this , but it's okay to drink it if you want.
- If you are taking this for vomiting while traveling, take the medicine at least an hour before starting the journey .
- If you experience stomach upset after taking the medicine, take it with a small meal or a glass of milk.
If given to children: Doctors recommend this medicine for children over 12 years of age in some special cases. However, you should discuss this with your pediatrician .
What is the dose of kelinawata wada gaththoth mokada karanne? (Overdose)
If you think you've taken more medication than you think, you need to take action immediately .
In such a situation, you can call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital or go to the Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) of the nearest hospital.
Most importantly: This medicine is for you only. Never share your medicine with others.
Other drugs that may interact with this medicine (Drug Interactions)
Meclizine is a medication that can interact with some other medications, so you should inform your doctor about all other medications you are taking.
| Do not take Meclizine with these. | |
|---|---|
| MAOI type medication | These are a type of medication used to treat depression (e.g. Carbex, Eldepryl, Marplan). Taking Meclizine with these can be dangerous. |
| Be very careful when taking Meclizine with these. | |
| Alcohol | Excessive drowsiness and dizziness. |
| Other antihistamines for allergies, coughs, and colds | Sleepiness may double or triple. |
| Medications for depression, anxiety, or sleep | It increases the drowsiness of Meclizine. |
| Some narcotic painkillers | Excessive sleepiness and breathing difficulties may occur. |
| Muscle relaxants and anesthetics used during surgery | The impact of these may vary. |
This list is not complete. It is important to tell your doctor about any herbs, vitamins, or supplements you are taking.
Things to be careful about when taking medicine
- Drowsiness and dizziness: This medicine may make you feel drowsy or dizzy . So , do not drive or operate machinery until you know how this medicine affects you. You may be more likely to feel dizzy or fall when you stand up or sit up quickly, especially if you are an elderly person. So, do these things with caution.
- Dry mouth: Dry mouth is common with this medication. Chewing sugar-free gum and drinking plenty of water can help. If this problem persists, tell your doctor .
- Effects on the eyes: Some people may experience dry eyes and blurred vision. If you wear contact lenses , you may experience discomfort. Lubricating eye drops may provide relief.
Possible side effects
| Side effects that should be reported to the doctor immediately | |
|---|---|
| - Eyes become blue, feel like they are spinning, and start to droop. - Rapid or irregular heartbeat. | |
| Side effects that are usually nothing to worry about, but if they persist, you should tell your doctor. | |
| - Constipation - Headache - Insomnia - Difficulty urinating or change in the amount of urine you produce - Mild stomach discomfort | |
If you experience any other unusual symptoms not mentioned on this list, talk to your doctor about them as well.
Take-Home Message
- Meclizine is a medicine used to treat motion sickness, dizziness, and vertigo.
- Before taking this medication, you should tell your doctor about any other medical conditions you have (especially glaucoma, asthma, and prostate disease).
- This is a tablet that dissolves in your mouth. Take it with dry hands, place it in your mouth, and let it dissolve.
- The medicine can make you drowsy, so be very careful when driving or doing work that requires concentration.
- Avoid drinking alcohol completely while taking Meclizine.
- If you take too much medicine, immediately go to the National Poisons Information Center or the nearest hospital ETU.
- Never give the medicine prescribed to you to anyone else.
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