Meclizine (Systemic)

Meclizine (Systemic)

Commonly used brand name(s): Antivert, Antivert/25, Antivert/50, Bonamine, Bonine, Dramamine II, Meclicot, Medivert.

Note: For a listing of dosage forms and brand names by country availability, see Dosage Forms section(s).

Category:

Antiemetic&mdash,

antivertigo agent&mdash,

Indications

Note: Bracketed information in the Indications section refers to uses that are not included in U.S. product labeling.

Accepted

Motion sickness (prophylaxis and treatment)&mdash,Meclizine is indicated for the prophylaxis and treatment of nausea, vomiting, and dizziness associated with motion sickness <01> <02> <07> <08> <10> <11> .

Vertigo (prophylaxis and treatment)&mdash,The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has classified meclizine as possibly effective in the management of vertigo associated with diseases affecting the vestibular system, <01> <07> <10> such as labyrinthitis and Meniere's disease. <10> <11> This classification requires the submission of adequate and well-controlled studies to provide substantial evidence of effectiveness. <01> <07>

[Nausea and vomiting, radiotherapy-induced (prophylaxis and treatment)]&mdash,Meclizine is indicated for the prophylaxis and treatment of nausea, vomiting, and dizziness associated with radiotherapy. <10>

Pharmacology/Pharmacokinetics

Physicochemical characteristics:

Molecular weight&mdash,

481.90 <09>

Mechanism of action/Effect:

Antiemetic, antivertigo agent&mdash,The mechanism by which meclizine exerts its antiemetic, anti&ndash,motion sickness, and antivertigo effects is not precisely known but may be related to its central anticholinergic actions. It diminishes vestibular stimulation and depresses labyrinthine function. <02> <04> An action on the medullary chemoreceptive trigger zone may also be involved in the antiemetic effect.

Meclizine also has antihistaminic <04> <11>. anticholinergic <04> <10>. and central nervous system (CNS) depressant <04> <11> effects.

Source