cyclizine hydrochloride at a glance
Medicine class
Sedating antihistamine and anti-sickness treatment.
Main roles
Nausea, vomiting, motion sickness and vertigo associated with vestibular disorders.
Administration
Tablets are swallowed and may be taken with or without food.
Driving and alcohol
Do not drive if sleepy, dizzy or visually affected. Avoid alcohol because it can increase impairment.
What is cyclizine hydrochloride used for?
The selected tablet is licensed for adults and children aged six years and over for:
Preventing and treating motion sickness.
Nausea and vomiting caused by opioid analgesics or general anaesthesia after surgery.
Vomiting associated with radiotherapy.
Vomiting and vertigo attacks associated with Ménière’s disease and other vestibular disorders.
Cyclizine is also commonly used in UK pregnancy care for nausea and vomiting, although this is not covered by the selected product licence.
How does cyclizine hydrochloride work?
Cyclizine blocks histamine H1 receptors and has anticholinergic activity. It reduces signals from the balance organs and brain pathways involved in nausea and vomiting, although its exact anti-sickness mechanism is not fully established.
cyclizine hydrochloride preparations and strengths
Tablet
Route: Oral
Strengths: 50 mg
How to take cyclizine hydrochloride
Swallow the tablet, following the dispensing label or prescriber’s instructions. It can be taken with or without food. The selected tablet has a break line and can be divided into equal halves when directed by a healthcare professional.
Do not take more than instructed.
Avoid alcohol.
Check how it affects you before driving, cycling or operating machinery.
cyclizine hydrochloride side effects
Common or expected effects
- Drowsiness
- Blurred vision
- Dry mouth
- Headache
- Constipation
Get urgent medical advice
- Severe allergic reaction, including facial or throat swelling and breathing difficulty
- Muscle stiffness, tremor or unusual face, tongue or body movements
- Jaundice or other signs of liver injury
- Unusual or persistent bleeding
- Seizures, marked confusion, hallucinations or reduced consciousness
- Difficulty passing urine
cyclizine hydrochloride in pregnancy
The selected product information does not advise use in pregnancy because it considers definitive human data insufficient. However, independent UK pregnancy sources state that cyclizine is commonly used for pregnancy sickness and available evidence has not shown harm to the baby. Use should be agreed with a prescriber who can weigh the benefits and uncertainties.
cyclizine hydrochloride while breastfeeding
Cyclizine can be used cautiously while breastfeeding when the infant is full-term and healthy, but evidence is limited. Monitor the baby for unusual sleepiness, poor feeding or difficulty passing urine. Seek specialist advice for premature or unwell infants.
cyclizine hydrochloride interactions
Cyclizine’s sedating and anticholinergic effects can be increased by other substances.
Alcohol
May substantially increase sedation and toxicity; acute alcohol intoxication is a contraindication.
Sedatives and other central nervous system depressants
Hypnotics, tranquillisers, anaesthetics, antipsychotics and barbiturates may cause additive drowsiness and impairment.
Pethidine and other opioid analgesics
Cyclizine can increase pethidine-related sleepiness and may oppose some cardiovascular effects of opioids.
Common questions about cyclizine hydrochloride
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
What is cyclizine hydrochloride used for?
It is used for nausea and vomiting caused by motion sickness, anaesthesia, opioid analgesics or radiotherapy, and for vomiting or vertigo associated with vestibular disorders.
Can cyclizine hydrochloride make me sleepy?
Yes. Drowsiness is common, although its intensity varies between people.
Can I drive after taking cyclizine hydrochloride?
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.