$Unique_ID{BRK03213}
$Pretitle{}
$Title{meclizine}
$Subject{Antivert Antivert/25 Antivert/50 Roerig Antrizine Major Bonine
Pfipharmecs Dizmiss Bowman hydrochloride Ru-Vert-M Reid-Provident Wehvert
Hauck Antiemetic meclizine dizziness nausea vomiting motion sickness nerve
brain balance vomiting centers}
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Antivert*0321301.scf
Antivert/25*0321302.scf}

Copyright (C) 1993 Publications International, Ltd.


meclizine
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BRAND NAMES (Manufacturers)

     Antivert (Roerig)
     Antivert/25 (Roerig)
     Antivert/50 (Roerig)
     Antrizine (Major)
     Bonine [*] (Pfipharmecs)
     Dizmiss [*] (Bowman)
     meclizine hydrochloride (various manufacturers)
     Ru-Vert-M (Reid-Provident)
     Wehvert [*] (Hauck)
     * Available over-the-counter (without a prescription)

TYPE OF DRUG

     Antiemetic

INGREDIENT

     meclizine

DOSAGE FORMS

     Tablets (12.5 mg, 25 mg, and 50 mg)
     Chewable tablets (25 mg)

STORAGE

     Store at room temperature in a tightly closed container.

USES

     Meclizine is used to provide symptomatic relief of dizziness and to
prevent or relieve dizziness, nausea, and vomiting due to motion sickness.  It
is thought to relieve dizziness and vomiting by altering nerve transmission in
the balance and vomiting centers in the brain.

TREATMENT

     To avoid stomach upset, take meclizine with food, milk, or water (unless
your doctor directs you to do otherwise).
     The chewable tablets should be chewed for at least two minutes in order
to obtain the full benefit of this drug.
     If you are taking meclizine to prevent motion sickness, you should take
it one hour before traveling.
     If you miss a dose of this medication, take the missed dose as soon as
possible, unless it is almost time for your next dose.  In that case, do not
take the missed dose at all; just return to your regular dosing schedule.  Do
not double the next dose.

SIDE EFFECTS

     Minor.

     Confusion; constipation; diarrhea; dizziness; dry mouth, throat, or nose;
headache; irritability; loss of appetite; nausea; restlessness; or stomach
upset.  These side effects should disappear as your body adjusts to the
medication.
     If you are constipated, increase the amount of fiber in your diet (fresh
fruits and vegetables, salads, bran, and whole-grain breads), exercise, and
drink more water (unless your doctor tells you not to do so).
     Chew sugarless gum or suck on ice chips or a piece of hard candy to
reduce mouth dryness.

     Major.

     Tell your doctor about any side effects that are persistent or
particularly bothersome.  IT IS ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT TO TELL YOUR DOCTOR about
blurred vision, change in menstruation, clumsiness, decreased blood pressure,
difficult or painful urination, feeling faint, flushing of the face,
hallucinations, palpitations, ringing or buzzing in the ears, rash, seizures,
shortness of breath, sleeping disorders, sore throat or fever, tightness in
the chest, unusual bleeding or bruising, unusual increase in sweating, or
unusual tiredness or weakness.

INTERACTIONS

     1. Meclizine interacts with several other types of medications:
Concurrent use of it with other central nervous system depressants (such as
alcohol, barbiturates, benzodiazepine tranquilizers, muscle relaxants,
narcotics, pain medications, and phenothiazine tranquilizers) or with
tricyclic antidepressants can cause extreme drowsiness.
     2. If you take meclizine on a regular basis and also take large amounts
of aspirin (for example, for arthritis pain relief), tell your doctor.  The
effects of too much aspirin (ringing in the ears) may be masked by meclizine.
     BE SURE TO TELL YOUR DOCTOR about any medications you are currently
taking, especially those listed above.

WARNINGS

     * Tell your doctor about allergic or unusual reactions you have had to
any medications, especially to meclizine, cyclizine, or buclizine.
     * Tell your doctor if you now have or if you have ever had asthma, blood
vessel disease, glaucoma, high blood pressure, kidney disease, peptic ulcers,
enlarged prostate gland, or thyroid disease.
     * Meclizine can cause drowsiness or dizziness.  Your ability to perform
tasks that require alertness, such as driving a car or operating potentially
dangerous machinery, may be decreased.  Appropriate caution should, therefore,
be taken.
     * Meclizine should be given to children under age 12 years only under the
supervision of a doctor.
     * The elderly may be especially sensitive to side effects such as dry
mouth.
     * Be sure to tell your doctor if you are pregnant.  The effects of this
medication during pregnancy have not been thoroughly studied in humans.  Also,
tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding an infant.  Small amounts of
meclizine pass into breast milk and may cause unusual excitement or
irritability in nursing infants.

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The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace
the counsel and advice of your personal physician.  Promptly consulting your
doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical
problem.