What is Meclizine: Uses, Warnings & Interactions

Updated Oct 6, 2025  •  Published Dec 30, 2020

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Meclizine overview

BRAND NAMES:

  • Antivert/25, Sunmark Motion Sickness, Travel-Ease, Motion-Time, Motion Sickness Relief, Motion Relief, Medi-Meclizine, Health Mart Motion Sickness Relief, Good Neighbor Motion Sickness Relief, Good Sense Motion Sickness II, Good Neighbor Pharmacy Motion Sickness Relief, Travel Sickness

Generic Names:

  • Meclizine Hcl

Uses:

  • Treats vertigo and symptoms of motion sickness.

Therapeutic Classes:

  • Antiemetic, Antivertigo

Forms:

  • Capsule, Tablet, Chewable Tablet

How it’s taken:

  • By mouth

What is Meclizine used for?

Meclizine is a medication used to treat motion sickness and some types of dizziness (vertigo). Meclizine belongs to two medication classes: antihistamine and antiemetic (prevents nausea and vomiting). Meclizine is a generic medication also sold under the brand names Dramamine, Antivert, Verticalm, Bonine, and Rugby. Meclizine has been approved for use by the FDA for decades. In the treatment of motion sickness and vertigo, meclizine use is very common.

What form(s) does Meclizine come in

  • Capsule

  • Tablet

  • Chewable Tablet

What are common Meclizine doses?

  • Tablet 12.5MG

  • Tablet 25MG

  • Bottle 100 Tablets

  • Bottle 100 Tablets Chewable

  • Tablet Chewable 25MG

All meclizine doses

Common Meclizine prescriptions

  • Meclizine HCl
    100 tablets bottle

  • Meclizine HCl
    100 tablets chewable bottle

  • Meclizine HCl
    1000 tablets bottle

  • Meclizine HCl
    1000 tablets chewable bottle

  • Meclizine HCl
    12.5mg tablet

  • Meclizine HCl
    25mg tablet

  • Meclizine HCl
    25mg tablet chewable

How to take Meclizine

  • Motion sickness: Take this medicine at least 1 hour before travel if you are using it to prevent motion sickness. One dose of this medicine should prevent motion sickness for 24 hours.

  • Missed dose: Take a dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then and take a regular dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up for a missed dose. If you use this medicine for motion sickness, take it only as needed.

  • Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.

  • Your doctor will tell you how much medicine to use. Do not use more than directed.

  • Chewable tablet: Chew or crush the tablet completely before swallowing. Do not swallow chewable tablets whole.

  • Tablet: Swallow the tablet whole. Do not crush, chew, or break it.

  • Tablet: Swallow the tablet whole. Do not crush, chew, or break it.

  • Motion sickness: Take this medicine at least 1 hour before travel if you are using it to prevent motion sickness. One dose of this medicine should prevent motion sickness for 24 hours.

  • Missed dose: Take a dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then and take a regular dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up for a missed dose. If you use this medicine for motion sickness, take it only as needed.

  • Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.

  • Your doctor will tell you how much medicine to use. Do not use more than directed.

  • Chewable tablet: Chew or crush the tablet completely before swallowing. Do not swallow chewable tablets whole.

What to do if you miss a dose of Meclizine

  • This medicine is usually taken only as needed. If you are taking meclizine regularly, take your missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then to take the medicine and skip the missed dose. Do not use extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.

  • Oral routeAsk your pharmacist, doctor, or health caregiver about the best way to dispose of any outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.

  • Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.

Meclizine contraindications

  • This medicine is not right for everyone. Do not use it if you had an allergic reaction to meclizine.

Meclizine warnings

  • This medicine may make you drowsy. Do not drive or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how this medicine affects you.

  • Your doctor will check your progress and the effects of this medicine at regular visits. Keep all appointments.

  • Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.

  • Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have kidney disease, liver disease, asthma, enlarged prostate, glaucoma, heart failure, or trouble urinating.

Meclizine interactions

  • Do not drink alcohol while you are using this medicine.

  • Tell your doctor if you use anything else that makes you sleepy. Some examples are allergy medicine, narcotic pain medicine, and alcohol.

Meclizine side effects

Serious Side Effects

  • Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing

  • Drowsiness

  • Dry mouth

  • Headache

Less Serious Side Effects

  • Blurred vision

  • Headache

  • Drowsiness

  • Dry mouth

Meclizine News & Research

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