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Meclozine

  • To prevent travel sickness, the first dose should be taken the night before or one hour before travelling.
  • Meclozine can cause drowsiness and blurred vision. Make sure your reactions are normal before driving, operating machinery or doing any other jobs which could be dangerous if you were not fully alert or able to see properly.
  • Alcohol will increase feelings of drowsiness. If you do drink alcohol, drink only in moderation and be aware of its effect on you.
  • Meclozine is not suitable for drivers and should only be taken if you are travelling as a passenger.

About meclozine

Type of medicine Antihistamine
Used for Travel sickness
Also called Sea-Legs
Available as Tablets

Travel sickness occurs when the brain receives mixed signals from the eyes, the rest of the body and balance mechanism of the inner ear. Meclozine prevents travel sickness by blocking histamine receptors in an area of the brain which controls vomiting. By blocking these receptors, messages that would normally be sent to the stomach and result in vomiting, are prevented.

Before taking meclozine

Before taking meclozine make sure your doctor or pharmacist knows:

  • If you suffer from liver, kidney or prostate problems.
  • If you have been experiencing difficulty urinating (passing water).
  • If you suffer from heart or blood pressure problems.
  • If you suffer from glaucoma, epilepsy or porphyria (a blood disorder).
  • If you have been diagnosed as having an obstruction of the intestine.
  • If you are pregnant, trying for a baby or breast-feeding.

How to take meclozine

  • Take this medicine exactly as directed
  • To prevent travel sickness, the first dose should be taken the night before or one hour before travelling.

Getting the most from your treatment

  • Meclozine can cause drowsiness and blurred vision. Make sure your reactions are normal before driving, operating machinery or doing any other jobs which could be dangerous if you were not fully alert or able to see properly.
  • Alcohol will increase feelings of drowsiness. If you do drink alcohol, drink only in moderation and be aware of its effect on you.
  • Meclozine is not suitable for drivers and should only be taken if you are travelling as a passenger.
  • Meclozine can cause a dry mouth. If you experience this, try chewing sugar-free gum, sucking pieces of ice or sugar-free sweets. If this becomes troublesome speak with your doctor or pharmacist.

Can meclozine cause problems?

Along with their useful effects all medicines can cause unwanted side effects, which usually improve as your body adjusts to the new medicine. Speak with your doctor or pharmacist if any of the following side effects continue or become troublesome.

Common side-effects - these affect less than 1 in 10 people who take this medicine What can I do if I experience this
Drowsiness, blurred vision Make sure your reactions are normal before driving, operating machinery or doing any other jobs which could be dangerous if you were not fully alert or able to see properly.
Alcohol will increase feelings of drowsiness. If you do drink alcohol, drink only in moderation and be aware of its effect on you.
Dry mouth Try chewing sugar-free gum, sucking pieces of ice or sugar-free sweets. If this becomes troublesome speak with your doctor or pharmacist.
Diarrhoea, tummy pain, nausea (feeling sick) Drink plenty of water to replace lost fluids. Avoid dairy products. If these symptoms continue speak to your doctor or pharmacist.
Constipation Drink plenty of water and eat plenty of fruit and vegetables.
Headache, difficulty urinating (passing water) If these symptoms continue speak to your doctor or pharmacist.

Other side-effects include stiffness or problems with movement, dizziness, confusion, fast or fluttering heartbeat, shortness of breath, mood changes, difficulty sleeping and shakiness. If you experience these or any other worrying symptoms, which you think may be due to this medicine, discuss them with your doctor or pharmacist.

How to store meclozine

  • Keep all medicines out of the sight and reach of children.
  • Store in a cool, dry place, away from direct heat and light.

Important information about all medicines


  • Keep all medicines out of the sight and reach of children.
  • Make sure that the person prescribing this medicine knows about any other medicines that you are taking. This includes medicines you buy and herbal and homeopathic medicines.
  • If you buy any medicines check with a pharmacist that they are safe to take with your other medicines.
  • Before taking this medicine tell your doctor if you have ever had an allergic reaction after taking any medicine.
  • Never take more than the prescribed dose. If you suspect that you or someone else has taken an overdose of this medicine go to the accident and emergency department of your local hospital at once. Always take the container with you, if possible, even if it is empty.
  • If you are having any treatment like an operation or dental treatment tell the person carrying out the treatment which medicines you are taking.
  • Always read the printed information leaflet that comes with your medicine.
  • This medicine is for you. Never give it to other people even if their condition appears to be the same as yours.
  • Never keep out of date or unwanted medicines. Take them to your local pharmacy which will dispose of them for you.
  • If you have any questions about this medicine ask your pharmacist.
© EMIS 2007 DocID:
1000		 DocRef:
dils2154		 Last Updated:
1 Feb 2007		 Date of Next Review:
31 Jan 2009		 Version:
22
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PS - Health and Poverty

Perhaps the biggest cause of ill health in the world is poverty. Help to Make Poverty History. For example, why not lend some of your money to disadvantaged communities to enable them to trade their way out of poverty through schemes such as Shared Interest.

See also MAKEPOVERTYHISTORY North East for details and links to campaigns against poverty.

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