Information about Cyclizine

Generic Name : Cyclizine
Up-to-date prescription details regarding Cyclizine are provided here.

Pronunciation : Cy-Cliz-ine

Learn the correct pronunciation of the Cyclizine, understand it's uses, recommended dosages, its indications, how to take, when to take, when not to take, side effects, special precautions, warnings and its and its storage instructions.

You will also find a list of the medication's International and Indian brand or trade names, as well as its pricing information. For verification of the information presented on this page or for additional clarifications, it's advisable to consult your doctor.

Therapeutic Classification : Antihistamines

Trade Names/Brand Names of Cyclizine

India :

Migril, Marezine

Overview of Cyclizine

• Cyclizine is an antihistamine drug used for the treatment of nausea and vomiting due to motion sickness, and due to drugs given in the post-operative period.

Why is Cyclizine Prescribed? (Indications)

Cyclizine is a histamine H1 inhibitor prescribed for adults and children 6 years and above for the treatment of nausea and vomiting caused due to

• Motion sickness
• Surgeries
• Drugs like narcotic analgesics and by general anaesthetics given in the post-operative period
• Radiotherapy, especially for breast cancer
• Menière's disease and other forms of vestibular disturbance (rarely)

Cyclizine was discovered in 1947. It is on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines. Cyclizine also exerts a central anticholinergic (antimuscarinic) action.

When should Cyclizine not be taken? (Contraindications)

Cyclizine is contraindicated

• If the patient is allergic to the drug or to any of the excipients in the drug.
• In patients with enlarged prostate, urinary retention and angle-closure glaucoma (due to its antimuscurinic effects).
• With alcohol, as the drug can increase the toxicity of alcohol.

What is the dosage of Cyclizine?

The recommended dosage of cyclizine is 25 to 50 mg tablet

• For adults and for children over 12 years of age:
50 mg orally, which can be repeated if necessary up to three times a day.

• For children 6 years of age and above:
25 mg orally, which can be repeated if necessary up to three times a day.

Cyclizine should not be given to children less than 6 years old.

How should Cyclizine be taken?

• Cyclizine should be administered orally every 4 to 6 hours.
• To prevent motion sickness it should be administered 30 min before traveling.

What are the warnings and precautions for Cyclizine?

• Cyclizine should be used with caution in patients with glaucoma, urinary retention, obstructive disease of the gastrointestinal tract, hepatic disease, pheochromocytoma, hypertension, epilepsy and in males with possible prostatic hypertrophy.

• Cyclizine should be used with caution in patients with heart failure or heart attacks as it may decrease cardiac output while increasing heart rate and arterial pressure.

• Cyclizine should not be taken in porphyria (a group of disorders that is caused by malfunctioning in the iron producing chemical steps leading to nerve and skin disorders).

• Patients who have galactose intolerance or glucose-galactose malabsorption should not take cyclizine.

What are the side effects of Cyclizine?

Common: Drowsiness, dry mouth, constipation and blurred vision
Skin effects: Allergic skin reactions, hives, drug rash, angioedema
Nervous system effects: Somnolence, drowsiness, headache, dystonia, dyskinesia, extrapyramidal motor disturbances, tremors, convulsions, dizziness, decreased consciousness, depression, hallucinations
Ophthalmological effects: Blurred or double vision
Cardiac effects: Tachycardia, palpitations, arrhythmias, hypotension
Gastrointestinal effects: Constipation, increased gastric reflux, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain, loss of appetite
Others: Urinary retention, hypersensitivity reactions (bronchospasm, angioedema, anaphylaxis, and rashes)

What are the other precautions for Cyclizine?

• Use of cyclizine during pregnancy is not advised.
• Since cyclizine is excreted in human milk, it is best to check with your doctor on its use if you are breastfeeding.
• Cyclizine should not be taken with large amounts of alcohol.
• Patients should consult a doctor if feeling tired or weak and not able to urinate.

What are the Drug Interactions of Cyclizine?

• Cyclizine may increase the effects of alcohol and central nervous system depressants like hypnotics and barbiturates.
• Cyclizine Hydrochloride increases the hemodynamic benefits of opioid analgesics and particularly increases the drowsiness normally caused by pethidine.
• Cyclizine may increase the side-effects of other anticholinergic drugs, and have an additive antimuscarinic action if given with other antimuscarinic drugs, such as atropine and some antidepressants (both tricyclics and MAOIs).