Meclizine dosage, forms, and strengths

Medically reviewed by Anne Jacobson, MD, MPH
Board-Certified Family Physician
Updated Aug 8, 2025  •  Published Sep 15, 2023
Fact Checked
In this article:

Key takeaways

  • The standard meclizine dosage to prevent or treat motion sickness in adults is 25–50 mg.

  • The max dose of meclizine is 50 mg daily for motion sickness and 100 mg daily for vertigo.

  • Meclizine is available as tablets or chewable tablets.

  • The best time to take meclizine is before anticipated travel or when motion sickness symptoms begin. Prescription meclizine for vertigo is taken in divided doses throughout the day.

  • Do not take meclizine if you are allergic to meclizine.

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How much meclizine should I take? Quick reference
Patient Typical starting dose Standard dosage Maximum dose
Adults and children 12 years of age and older with motion sickness  25–50 mg at least one hour before travel 25–50 mg every 24 hours as needed  50 mg/day
Adults with vertigo  25–100 mg daily taken in divided doses  25–100 mg daily taken in divided doses 100 mg daily

Meclizine HCl is a generic over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription antihistamine. OTC meclizine relieves motion sickness symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and dizziness. It’s also the active ingredient in brand-name Dramamine Less Drowsy and Bonine. Doses are ideally taken before travel, but may also be taken after symptoms start. 

As a prescription drug, healthcare professionals also use meclizine to treat vertigo caused by inner ear (vestibular) problems such as Meniere’s disease and inner ear infections. Doses are taken two or more times daily.

Meclizine forms and strengths

Both over-the-counter and prescription meclizine can be purchased as tablets or chewable tablets. 

  • Over-the-counter tablets: 12.5 milligrams (mg), 25 mg

  • Chewable tablets: 25 mg

  • Prescription tablets: 12.5 mg, 25 mg, 50 mg

Meclizine dosage chart
Indication Starting dosage Standard dosage Maximum dosage
Motion sickness 25–50 mg taken ½ hour to 1 hour before travel or at the start of symptoms 25–50 mg taken ½ hour to 1 hour before travel or at the start of symptoms 50 mg per day
Vertigo and other symptoms of vestibular problems 25–100 mg daily taken in divided doses  25–100 mg per day taken in divided doses 100 mg per day

Meclizine dosage for children

Meclizine is not FDA-approved for pediatric use in children younger than 12. For adolescents 12 years or older, meclizine doses are the same as for adults. 

Personalized dosing considerations

Meclizine has no specified dosage modifications for people with liver problems or renal impairment. The FDA advises that older adults and people with medical conditions, such as renal or hepatic impairment, use the drug cautiously and start with low doses.

Meclizine safety info

Common side effects of meclizine are drowsiness, dry mouth, and headache. More serious side effects, such as low blood count, heat stroke, and heart rhythm problems, are possible but uncommon. People who have had an allergic reaction to meclizine cannot safely take the drug.

People taking meclizine should be cautious when driving or engaging in other potentially risky activities because of possible drowsiness, dizziness, or blurred vision. Older adults may be at higher risk of confusion, impaired coordination, and falls.

Try to avoid other drugs or substances that make you sleepy (CNS depressants), such as opioids, tranquilizers, sleeping pills, other antihistamines, and alcohol. Consult a healthcare provider if you are taking drugs like these before taking meclizine.

Other significant drug interactions include anticholinergic drugs, like bladder control drugs or certain bronchodilators like ipratropium bromide (Atrovent). The combination can worsen some side effects of meclizine, such as dry mouth, headache, constipation, dry eyes, and urinary retention. 

Before taking OTC meclizine, get medical advice from a healthcare provider if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or have glaucoma, COPD, or asthma, heart problems, hyperthyroidism, or trouble urinating because of an enlarged prostate.

Do not give meclizine to children younger than 12 years of age. Keep meclizine out of the reach of children.

How to take meclizine

Meclizine tablets are relatively simple to take. 

Motion sickness

  • Take meclizine tablets ideally at least one hour before travel.

  • Meclizine chewable tablets can be taken ½ hour before travel, but check the instructions first.

  • Swallow the tablets whole.

  • Do not swallow meclizine chewable tablets. Chew or crush meclizine chewable tablets completely before swallowing.

  • Do not take more than 50 mg in a single 24-hour period.

  • Store tablets at room temperature, protected from light.

  • Store chewable tablets at room temperature in a dry place.

Vertigo

  • Follow the dosing schedule.

  • Swallow tablets whole with a drink of water.

  • Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, protected from light.

Meclizine dosage FAQs

How long does it take meclizine to work?

Taken as a tablet, meclizine takes about one hour to have an effect. The therapeutic effects should last from eight to 24 hours.

How long does meclizine stay in your system?

Meclizine relieves nausea or vertigo for eight to 24 hours. Its half-life is six hours, so it takes about 30 hours to completely clear a dose from the body.

What happens if I miss a dose of meclizine?

Over-the-counter meclizine should only be taken once every 24 hours. If you miss a dose and take it later, wait 24 hours to take the next dose if you’re still traveling. 

Prescription meclizine is taken two or more times throughout the day. If a dose is missed, it can be taken when it’s remembered. If the next dose is almost due, skip the missed dose and take the next dose as scheduled. Never double or increase the dose to make up for a missed dose. 

How long can you take meclizine?

Avoid chronic daily use of OTC meclizine. Limit doses only to those days when it’s needed. If you’re using this drug regularly, get medical advice from a healthcare professional before continuing. 

Prescription meclizine has no limit on the duration of treatment as long as the drug works and side effects are bearable.

How do I stop taking meclizine?

Meclizine can be discontinued at any time. There are no known withdrawal symptoms associated with meclizine.

What is the maximum dosage for meclizine?

Do not take more than 50 mg of meclizine for motion sickness in 24 hours. The maximum meclizine dosage for vertigo is 100 mg per day.

Can you overdose on meclizine?

Yes. A meclizine overdose can cause drowsiness, sleepiness, seizures, low blood pressure (hypotension), coma, hallucinations, or seizures. Call a poison control center or get emergency medical treatment if too much meclizine is taken.

What happens when you mix meclizine and alcohol?

Do not drink alcohol when taking meclizine. The combination will enhance the sedative effects of both drugs. 

What is the dosage of meclizine for dogs and cats?

Though not a first-line treatment, veterinarians may prescribe meclizine for dogs who get carsick or if the dog is experiencing vertigo because of an inner ear problem. The standard dosage for dogs is about 25 mg once daily and 12.5 mg once daily for cats. The dosage may vary by weight, so consult your veterinarian for advice.

Sources

Medically reviewed by Anne Jacobson, MD, MPH
Board-Certified Family Physician

Anne Jacobson, MD, MPH, is a board-certified family physician, writer, editor, teacher, and consultant. She is a graduate of University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, and trained at West Suburban Family Medicine in Oak Park, Illinois. She later completed a fellowship in community medicine at PCC Community Wellness and a master's in Public Health at the University of Illinois-Chicago. She lives with her family near Chicago.

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