Meclizine for Vertigo – Quick Guide

If you’ve ever felt the world spin after standing up or moving your head, you probably know how scary vertigo can be. One of the most common pills doctors recommend is Meclizine. It’s an over‑the‑counter antihistamine that helps calm the inner ear signals that make you dizzy.

How Meclizine Works and When to Use It

Meclizine blocks histamine receptors in your brain and inner ear. By doing this, it reduces the false motion signals that cause that spinning feeling. You’ll usually hear about it for motion sickness on boats or planes, but it works just as well for vestibular vertigo caused by inner‑ear problems.

Most doctors suggest Meclizine when other tricks—like staying hydrated, moving slowly, or doing balance exercises—haven’t helped enough. It’s not a cure for the underlying cause, but it can give you relief while you figure out why the vertigo started.

Dosage, Side Effects, and Safety Tips

The usual adult dose is 25 mg (one tablet) taken once daily at bedtime. Some people split the dose to 12.5 mg twice a day if they feel drowsy in the morning. For kids over 12, doctors may prescribe the same dose, but younger children need special guidance.

Common side effects include dry mouth, mild sleepiness, and blurred vision. Most of these fade after a few days as your body gets used to the medication. If you notice fast heartbeat, severe dizziness that doesn’t improve, or an allergic rash, stop taking it and call a doctor.

Avoid alcohol while on Meclizine because it can make drowsiness worse. Also tell your pharmacist if you’re on other antihistamines, antidepressants, or blood pressure meds—mixing them can cause unexpected reactions.

Pregnant or breastfeeding moms should talk to their doctor before starting Meclizine. The drug passes into breast milk, and safety data isn’t strong enough for a clear recommendation.

If you miss a dose, just take it when you remember—unless it’s almost time for the next dose. In that case, skip the missed one; don’t double up.

When you start feeling better, don’t quit abruptly if you’ve been using Meclizine for weeks. Talk to your doctor about tapering down so your balance system can adjust without a sudden jump back to full vertigo.

Bottom line: Meclizine is a handy tool for taming vertigo’s spin, but it works best when you combine it with lifestyle tweaks and follow safety guidelines. If dizziness keeps coming back, chase the root cause with a healthcare professional.