Meclozine is used for nausea (feeling sick) or vomiting (being sick) caused by motion sickness (whether travelling by car, plane, boat or bus). Meclozine works by blocking the chemical histamine, in the brain, that is known to trigger nausea and vomiting.
In New Zealand, meclozine is available as tablets that can be purchased from a pharmacy without a prescription.
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Meclozine
Key points about meclozine
- Meclozine is used for nausea or vomiting caused by motion sickness.
- Meclozine is also called Sea Legs®.
- Find out how to take it safely and possible side effects.
- The usual dose of meclozine is 2 tablets once a day.
- Some people may need higher doses, up to 4 tablets once a day.
- To prevent motion sickness, meclozine is best taken the night before you travel or 1 hour before travel.
- You can wait to take meclozine when the feeling of sickness starts, but it does not work as well.
- Take meclozine with a glass of water.
- You can take meclozine with or without food.
- If you forget your dose, take it as soon as you remember that day. But, if it is nearly time for your next dose, just take the next dose at the right time. Do not take double the dose.
- Do you have problems with your liver?
- Have you ever had problems with your bowel, like bowel obstruction?
- Do you have prostate problems or problems passing urine (wee)?
- Do you have epilepsy?
- Do you have glaucoma (increased pressure in your eye)?
- Are you pregnant or breastfeeding?
- Are you taking or using any other medicines? This includes any medicines being taken which are available to buy without a prescription, as well as herbal and complementary medicines.
If so, it’s important that you tell your doctor or pharmacist before you start meclozine. Sometimes a medicine isn’t suitable for a person with certain conditions, or it can only be used with extra care.
Like all medicines, meclozine can cause side effects, although not everyone gets them. Often side effects go away once your body gets used to the new medicine.
Drowsiness and dizziness
Meclozine can make some people feel drowsy, sleepy or tired. It can also make you feel dizzy and can cause blurred vision. If it affects you in this way, do not drive or operate machinery. Do not drink alcohol - it can make these effects worse.
Other side effects
| Side effects | What should I do? |
|---|---|
| Dry mouth |
|
| Dizziness, drowsiness, blurred vision, feeling faint |
|
| Difficulty peeing (urine retention) |
|
| Constipation |
|
| Signs of an allergic reaction such as rash and swelling of mouth and lips |
|
Meclozine may interact with some medicines and herbal supplements, so check with your doctor or pharmacist before starting meclozine or before starting any new medicines.
The following link has more information on meclozine.
Meclozine(external link) New Zealand Formulary Patient Information
Resources
5 questions to ask about your medications(external link) Health Quality and Safety Commission, NZ, 2019 English(external link), te reo Māori(external link)
References
- Meclozine(external link) New Zealand Formulary
Brochures
Medicines and side effects
Healthify He Puna Waiora, NZ, 2024
5 questions to ask about your medications
Health Quality and Safety Commission, NZ, 2019 English, te reo Māori
Free helplines
Credits: Sandra Ponen, Pharmacist, Healthify He Puna Waiora. Healthify is brought to you by Health Navigator Charitable Trust.
Reviewed by: Angela Lambie, Pharmacist, Auckland
Last reviewed:
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