Meclizine belongs to the class of medications called anti-emetics (medications that prevent nausea and vomiting). Meclizine is used to prevent and relieve nausea, vomiting, and loss of balance associated with Motion Sickness, Ménière's disease, and other inner ear problems.

Your doctor may have suggested Bonamine for conditions other than the ones listed in these drug information articles. As well, some forms of Bonamine may not be used for all of the conditions discussed here. If you have not discussed this with your doctor or are not sure why you are taking Bonamine, speak to your doctor. Do not stop taking Bonamine without consulting your doctor.

Do not give Bonamine to anyone else, even if they have the same symptoms as you do. It can be harmful for people to take Bonamine if their doctor has not prescribed it.

The recommended adult dose of meclizine to treat motion sickness, is single dose of 12.5 mg to 25 mg every 24 hours while travelling. The first dose should be taken at least one hour before travelling.

For inner ear disorders, the usual adult dose ranges from 25 mg to 100 mg daily in divided doses. The fruit-flavoured tablets can be chewed, swallowed whole, or dissolved in the mouth.

Many things can affect the dose of medication that a person needs, such as body weight, other medical conditions, and other medications. If your doctor has recommended a dose different from the ones given here, do not change the way that you are taking the medication without consulting your doctor.

Meclizine should be taken with food to reduce the chance of stomach upset.

It is important to take Bonamine exactly as prescribed by your doctor. If you miss a dose of Bonamine, take it as soon as possible and continue with your regular schedule. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one. If you are not sure what to do after missing a dose, contact your doctor or pharmacist for advice.

Store Bonamine at room temperature, protect it from light and moisture, and keep it out of the reach of children.

Do not dispose of medications in wastewater (e.g. down the sink or in the toilet) or in household garbage. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medications that are no longer needed or have expired.

Many medications can cause side effects. A side effect is an unwanted response to a medication when it is taken in normal doses. Side effects can be mild or severe, temporary or permanent.

The side effects listed below are not experienced by everyone who takes Bonamine. If you are concerned about side effects, discuss the risks and benefits of Bonamine with your doctor.

The following side effects have been reported by at least 1% of people taking Bonamine. Many of these side effects can be managed, and some may go away on their own over time.

Contact your doctor if you experience these side effects and they are severe or bothersome. Your pharmacist may be able to advise you on managing side effects.

• blurred or double vision
• change in appetite (increase or decrease)
• Constipation
• Diarrhea
• dizziness
• drowsiness
• Dry Mouth, nose, and throat
• fatigue
• headache
• nausea
• nervousness
• skin rash
• trouble sleeping
• upset stomach
• vomiting
• weight gain

Although most of the side effects listed below don't happen very often, they could lead to serious problems if you do not seek medical attention.

Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:

• blurred vision
• confusion
• difficult or painful urination
• hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that are not there)
• increased sensitivity to heat
• rapid, pounding heartbeat
• signs of liver problems, e.g.:
  • dark urine
  • diarrhea
  • loss of appetite
  • nausea
  • pale stools
  • vomiting
  • weight loss
  • yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes
• sore throat
• thickened mucous from the lungs

Stop taking the medication and seek immediate medical attention if any of the following occur:

• signs of a serious allergic reaction, e.g.:
  • abdominal cramps
  • difficulty breathing
  • nausea and vomiting
  • swelling of the face and throat

Some people may experience side effects other than those listed. Check with your doctor if you notice any symptom that worries you while you are taking Bonamine.

Do not take Bonamine if you are allergic to meclizine or any ingredients of the medication.

There may be an interaction between meclizine and any of the following:

If you are taking any of these medications, speak with your doctor or pharmacist. Depending on your specific circumstances, your doctor may want you to:

• stop taking one of the medications,
• change one of the medications to another,
• change how you are taking one or both of the medications, or
• leave everything as is.

An interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of them. Speak to your doctor about how any drug interactions are being managed or should be managed.

Medications other than those listed above may interact with Bonamine. Tell your doctor or prescriber about all prescription, over-the-counter (non-prescription), and herbal medications that you are taking. Also tell them about any supplements you take. Since caffeine, the Nicotine from cigarettes, or street drugs can affect the action of many medications, you should let your prescriber know if you use them.

Before you begin using a medication, be sure to inform your doctor of any medical conditions or Allergies you may have, any medications you are taking, whether you are pregnant or breast-feeding, and any other significant facts about your health. These factors may affect how you should use Bonamine.

Asthma: Meclizine causes thickening of the mucous in the lungs and may cause the muscles in the lungs to spasm, causing asthma symptoms to worsen. People with asthma or other breathing problems should discuss with their doctor how Bonamine may affect their medical condition, how their medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Bonamine, and whether any special monitoring is needed.

Drowsiness/reduced alertness: Bonamine may cause drowsiness. Do not drive, operate machinery, or perform other potentially hazardous tasks until you have determined how Bonamine affects you.

Enlarged Prostate: Meclizine may make the symptoms of an enlarged prostate worse. People with prostate problems should discuss with their doctor how Bonamine may affect their medical condition, how their medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Bonamine, and whether any special monitoring is needed.

Glaucoma: Meclizine may make glaucoma symptoms worse. People with narrow-angle glaucoma should discuss with their doctor how Bonamine may affect their medical condition, how their medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Bonamine, and whether any special monitoring is needed.

Pregnancy: Studies on the use of meclizine by women experiencing nausea and vomiting during pregnancy have revealed no evidence of any birth defects caused by the medication. However, Bonamine should not be used during pregnancy unless the benefits outweigh the risks. If you become pregnant while taking Bonamine, contact your doctor immediately.

Breast-feeding: Meclizine may reduce the quantity of breast milk produced by a small degree. It should be used while nursing only if the potential benefits outweigh the risks.

Children: The safety and effectiveness of using Bonamine have not been established for children under the age of 12. Meclizine has been known to cause hyperexcitability when used by children.