Meclizine

Meclizine
Clinical data
Trade namesBonine, Antivert, others
Other namesMeclozine
AHFS/Drugs.comMonograph
MedlinePlusa682548
License data
Routes of
administration
By mouth, under the tongue, in the cheek
ATC code
Legal status
Legal status
  • AU: S4 (Prescription only)
  • CA: OTC
  • US: OTC
Pharmacokinetic data
Bioavailability22 - 32%[1]
MetabolismLiver (CYP2D6)
Elimination half-life5-6 hours[2]
Identifiers
  • (RS)-1-[(4-chlorophenyl)(phenyl)methyl]-4-(3-methylbenzyl)piperazine
CAS Number
PubChem CID
IUPHAR/BPS
DrugBank
ChemSpider
UNII
KEGG
ChEMBL
CompTox Dashboard (EPA)
ECHA InfoCard100.008.477 Edit this at Wikidata
Chemical and physical data
FormulaC25H27ClN2
Molar mass390.96 g·mol−1
3D model (JSmol)
Boiling point230 °C (446 °F)
  • Clc1ccc(cc1)C(c2ccccc2)N3CCN(CC3)Cc4cccc(c4)C
  • InChI=1S/C25H27ClN2/c1-20-6-5-7-21(18-20)19-27-14-16-28(17-15-27)25(22-8-3-2-4-9-22)23-10-12-24(26)13-11-23/h2-13,18,25H,14-17,19H2,1H3 checkY
  • Key:OCJYIGYOJCODJL-UHFFFAOYSA-N checkY
 ☒NcheckY (what is this?)  (verify)


Meclizine, sold under the brand name Bonine, among others, is an antihistamine used to treat motion sickness and dizziness (vertigo).[3] It is taken by mouth.[3] Effects generally begin in an hour and last for up to a day.[3]

Common side effects include sleepiness and dry mouth.[3] Serious side effects may include allergic reactions.[3] Use in pregnancy appears safe, but has not been well studied; use in breastfeeding is of unclear safety.[4] It is believed to work in part by anticholinergic and antihistamine mechanisms.[3]

Meclizine was patented in 1951 and came into medical use in 1953.[5] It is available as a generic medication and often over the counter.[3][6] In 2022, it was the 129th most commonly prescribed medication in the United States, with more than 4 million prescriptions.[7][8]

  1. ^ Sun J, Liu J, Zhang J, Xia H (June 2021). "Meclizine-loaded nanostructured lipid carriers to manage nausea and vomiting: Oral bioavailability improvement". Journal of Drug Delivery Science and Technology. 63: 102432. doi:10.1016/j.jddst.2021.102432.
  2. ^ Wang Z, Lee B, Pearce D, Qian S, Wang Y, Zhang Q, et al. (September 2012). "Meclizine metabolism and pharmacokinetics: formulation on its absorption". Journal of Clinical Pharmacology. 52 (9): 1343–1349. doi:10.1177/0091270011414575. PMID 21903894.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g "Meclizine Hydrochloride Monograph for Professionals". Drugs.com. American Society of Health-System Pharmacists. Retrieved 22 March 2019.
  4. ^ "Meclizine Use During Pregnancy". Drugs.com. Retrieved 3 March 2019.
  5. ^ Fischer J, Ganellin CR (2006). Analogue-based Drug Discovery. John Wiley & Sons. p. 547. ISBN 9783527607495.
  6. ^ Cappa M, Cianfarani S, Ghizzoni L, Loche S, Maghnie M (2015). Advanced Therapies in Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetology: Workshop, Rome, October 2014. Karger Medical and Scientific Publishers. p. 101. ISBN 9783318056372.
  7. ^ "The Top 300 of 2022". ClinCalc. Archived from the original on 30 August 2024. Retrieved 30 August 2024.
  8. ^ "Meclizine Drug Usage Statistics, United States, 2013 - 2022". ClinCalc. Retrieved 30 August 2024.