Meclizine (Antivert) Adverse Reactions
- abdominal pain
- anorexia
- appetite stimulation
- asthenia
- ataxia
- blurred vision
- confusion
- constipation
- dizziness
- drowsiness
- dyskinesia
- dystonic reaction
- fatigue
- hallucinations
- headache
- hypotension
- impaired cognition
- insomnia
- mydriasis
- palpitations
- psychosis
- restlessness
- seizures
- sinus tachycardia
- tardive dyskinesia
- tremor
- urinary retention
- weakness
- xerophthalmia
- xerostomia
Meclizine (Antivert) Adverse Reactions
CNS depression manifested as drowsiness and/or dizziness can occur during therapy with H1-antagonists including meclizine. Other less frequently occurring CNS effects of sedating antihistamines include asthenia/weakness, confusion, dysarthria (slurred speech), fatigue, or headache. There is considerable individual patient response to sedative effects, so patients should be warned of the possibilty of impaired cognition. These side effects may disappear after a few days of medication. Geriatric patients may be more predisposed to adverse CNS depressant effects. Ethanol intake will increase the risk of sedation. H1-antagonists can also cause a paradoxical CNS stimulation; although, this is more likely to occur in children. Symptoms may include excitability, insomnia, irritability, palpitations, restlessness, palpitations, nervousness, and in severe cases, seizures. Antihistamine overdose has been linked to coma; stimulatory CNS effects such as dyskinesia, dystonic reaction, tardive dyskinesia, tremor and seizures; and neuropsychiatric effects such as hallucinations or psychosis. Rarely, ataxia and delirium are also seen. Fatalities have been reported with antihistamine overdose.
Most side effects reported with meclizine are attributable to the anticholinergic properties of this drug. Thus, all classic anticholinergic effects are possible. The most frequently reported adverse reactions to meclizine are xerostomia (dry mouth), drowsiness, and fatigue. Other anticholinergic effects that can occur during therapy include thickening of bronchial secretions, urinary retention, xerophthalmia, mydriasis, and blurred vision. The anticholinergic effect may result in increased intraocular pressure in susceptible patients. Elderly persons usually have the greatest risk of experiencing anticholinergic-related side effects. H1-antagonists may cause adverse GI effects including constipation, appetite stimulation, anorexia, or abdominal pain.
Adverse cardiovascular responses can be associated with the anticholinergic properties or the quinidine-like anesthetic effects of H1-antagonists. These responses include sinus tachycardia, palpitations, and cardiac arrhythmias. Alpha-adrenergic blockade can lead to hypotension. Hypertension may also occur, but is usually not clinically significant.
[ Last revised: 12/17/2002 10:43:00 PM ]
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