Meclizine/Buclizine/Cyclizine (Systemic)

Before Using This Medicine

If you are taking this medicine without a prescription, carefully read and follow any precautions on the label. For buclizine, cyclizine, and meclizine, the following should be considered:

Allergies - Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to buclizine, cyclizine, or meclizine. Also tell your health care professional if you are allergic to any other substances, such as foods, preservatives, or dyes.

Pregnancy - These medicines have not been shown to cause birth defects or other problems in humans. However, studies in animals have shown that buclizine, cyclizine, and meclizine given in doses many times the usual human dose cause birth defects, such as cleft palate.

Breast-feeding - Although these medicines may pass into breast milk, they have not been reported to cause problems in nursing babies. However, since these medicines tend to decrease the secretions of the body, it is possible that the flow of breast milk may be reduced in some patients.

Children - There is no specific information comparing use of buclizine, cyclizine, and meclizine in children with use in other age groups. However, children may be especially sensitive to the anticholinergic effects (e.g., dryness of mouth, nose, and throat) of these medicines.

Older adults - There is no specific information comparing use of buclizine, cyclizine, and meclizine in the elderly with use in other age groups. Many medicines have not been studied specifically in older people. Therefore, it may not be known whether they work exactly the same way they do in younger adults. However, older people may be especially sensitive to the anticholinergic effects (e.g., constipation; difficult urination; dryness of mouth, nose, and throat) of these medicines.

Other medicines - Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking buclizine, cyclizine, or meclizine, it is especially important that your health care professional know if you are taking the following:

• Central nervous system (CNS) depressants, other (medicines that make you drowsy or less alert) or
• Tricyclic antidepressants (medicine for depression) - Use with buclizine, cyclizine, or meclizine may increase the side effects of either medicine

Other medical problems - The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of buclizine, cyclizine, or meclizine. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

• Asthma, bronchitis, emphysema, or other chronic lung disease - Cyclizine or meclizine may cause serious breathing problems in patients who have any of these conditions

• Enlarged prostate or
• Glaucoma or
• Intestinal blockage or
• Urinary tract blockage - Buclizine, cyclizine, or meclizine may make these conditions worse

• Heart failure - Cyclizine may make the condition worse