Description:

Acliz is a preparation of Meclizine, a first generation antihistamine that is widely used in nausea, vomiting, motion sickness and vertigo.

Composition:

Each chewable tablet contains Meclizine HCl USP 50 mg.

Pharmacology:

Meclizine has antiemetic,anticholinergic and antihistaminic properties. It reduces the sensitivity of the labyrinthine apparatus. The action may be mediated through nerve pathways to the vomiting center (VC) from the chemoreceptor trigger zone (CTZ), peripheral nerve pathways, the VC, or other CNS centers. Meclizine has an onset of action of 30 to 60 minutes, depending on dosage; their duration of action is 4 to 6 hours and 12 to 24 hours respectively.

Indication:

Prevention and treatment of nausea, vomiting, motion sickness and vertigo.

Dosage and administration:

Nausea and vomiting: 25-50 mg once daily.

Motion sickness: Take an initial dose of 25 to 50 mg, 1 hour prior to travel.May repeat dose every 24 hours for the duration of the journey.

Child: Age 6-12 years, 12.5 mg once daily. Age 2-6 years, 6.25 mg once daily.

Vertigo: 25 to 100 mg daily in divided doses.

Radiotherapy induced nausea and vomiting: 50 mg two to twelve hours prior to radiotherapy.

Contraindication:

Hypersensitivity to meclizine.

Side effects:

Cardiovascular: Hypotension; palpitations; tachycardia.

CNS: Drowsiness, restlessness, excitation, nervousness, insomnia, euphoria, blurred vision, diplopia, vertigo, and tinnitus, auditory and visual hallucinations (particularly when dosage recommendations are exceeded.)

Dermatologic: Urticaria, rash.

GI: Dry mouth; anorexia, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, constipation.

GU: Urinary frequency, difficult urination, and urinary retention.

Miscellaneous: Dry nose and throat.

High Risk Group:

Pregnancy: Category B. large scale human studies have not demonstrated adverse fatal effects. It has been demonstrated that, based on available data, Meclizine presents the lowest risk of teratogenicity and is the drug of first choice in treating nausea and vomiting during pregnancy.

Lactation: Meclizine may be distributed into breast milk. However problem in humans have not been documented.

Children: Although some books have mentioned that it is not recommended unless directed by a physician, another book has mentioned the use of Meclizine upto 2 years of children.

Precautions:

Hazardous tasks: May produce drowsiness; patients should observe caution while driving or performing other tasks requiring alertness.

Because of the anticholinergic action of this agents, use with caution and with appropriate monitoring in patients with glaucoma, obstructive disease of the GI or GU tract, and in elderly males with possible prostatic hypertrophy. These drugs may have a hypotensive action, which may be confusing or dangerous in postoperative patients.

May have additive effects with alcohol and other CNS depressants (eg. hypnotics, sedatives, tranquilizers, antianxiety agent); use with caution

Overdose:

Symptoms: Moderate overdosage may cause hyperexcitability alternating with drowsiness.

Massive overdosage may cause convulsions, hallucinations and respiratory paralysis.

Storage:

Keep in a cool and dry place, protect from light. Keep out of the reach of the children.

Packing:

Box containing 5 X 10's tablet in blister pack.