cyclizine lactate at a glance
Medicine class
Sedating H1-antihistamine antiemetic with anticholinergic activity
Form
Solution given into a muscle or slowly into a vein by a healthcare professional
Licensed population
The selected injectable products are licensed for adults, not children
Driving and alcohol
It may cause sleepiness, dizziness or blurred vision. Do not drive if affected, and avoid alcohol.
What is cyclizine lactate used for?
The selected injections are licensed in adults to prevent and treat nausea and vomiting, including:
Motion sickness when oral treatment cannot be used
Sickness associated with opioid analgesics or general anaesthesia after surgery
Vomiting associated with radiotherapy
Intravenous use before emergency surgery to reduce the risk of regurgitation and aspiration during induction of anaesthesia
Vomiting and vertigo attacks associated with Ménière’s disease or other vestibular disorders when oral treatment cannot be used
How does cyclizine lactate work?
Cyclizine blocks histamine H1 receptors and has anticholinergic effects. It reduces sensitivity of the inner-ear balance system and may suppress signalling in the brain’s vomiting centre. Its exact anti-sickness mechanism is not fully established.
cyclizine lactate preparations and strengths
Injection
Route: Parenteral
Strengths: 50 mg, 50 mg/mL
How to take cyclizine lactate
A healthcare professional gives cyclizine lactate injection into a muscle or slowly into a vein. It is not intended for self-injection. Tell the treating team about alcohol use, other medicines and previous reactions before it is administered.
Intravenous administration must be slow because rapid injection can cause toxicity-like effects.
Avoid alcohol while receiving cyclizine.
Do not drive or operate machinery until you know how it affects you.
cyclizine lactate side effects
Common or expected effects
- Sleepiness or dizziness
- Blurred vision
- Dry mouth
- Headache
- Constipation
- Pain, redness or irritation at the injection site
Get urgent medical advice
- Severe allergic reaction, including facial or throat swelling and breathing difficulty
- Seizure, severe abnormal movements or substantially reduced consciousness
- Breathing suppression or temporary paralysis, reported particularly with intravenous use
- Yellow skin or eyes suggesting liver injury
- Fast or irregular heartbeat, severe low blood pressure or collapse
- Difficulty passing urine
cyclizine lactate in pregnancy
UK pregnancy information describes cyclizine as commonly used for pregnancy sickness, with available evidence not indicating harm to the baby. However, the selected injectable-product SmPCs do not advise use in pregnancy because definitive human data are lacking. Use of the injection should therefore be decided by the treating clinician.
cyclizine lactate while breastfeeding
Cyclizine enters breast milk, but the amount is uncertain. Use may be considered cautiously when feeding a healthy, full-term infant. Monitor for unusual sleepiness, poor feeding or urinary retention and seek professional advice if these occur.
cyclizine lactate interactions
Tell the treating clinician about all prescribed, non-prescribed and herbal products. Important interactions include:
Alcohol
Can increase central nervous system depression; acute alcohol intoxication is a contraindication to the selected injections.
Sedatives and other central nervous system depressants
Hypnotics, tranquillisers, anaesthetics, antipsychotics and barbiturates may increase sedation or respiratory impairment.
Common questions about cyclizine lactate
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
How is the injection given?
A healthcare professional gives it into a muscle or slowly into a vein.
Why must intravenous administration be slow?
Rapid intravenous administration can cause effects resembling overdose, including marked central nervous system and anticholinergic symptoms.
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.