Meclizine (Antivert) Contraindications and Precautions
- asthma
- bladder obstruction
- breast-feeding
- children
- closed-angle glaucoma
- contact lenses
- driving or operating machinery
- elderly
- GI obstruction
- glaucoma
- ileus
- pregnancy
- prostatic hypertrophy
Meclizine (Antivert) Contraindications and Precautions
Due to the anticholinergic effects of meclizine, precautions must be exercised in certain patient populations such as the elderly. Patients with bladder obstruction, particularly of the bladder neck or prostatic hypertrophy can develop symptomatic urinary retention.
Anticholinergic actions can cause an acute attack of closed-angle glaucoma. The anticholinergic effects of meclizine may make the eyes dry. This can cause an increased lens awareness, or blurred vision for wearers of contact lenses. The use of lubricating drops may be necessary, or in severe cases discontinued use of contact lenses while taking meclizine.
The anticholinergic effects of meclizine may decrease gastric motility and tone. This can aggravate GI obstruction or ileus and/or exacerbate retention in patients with pyloroduodenal obstruction.
Caution should be used in patients with asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease since anticholinergic actions can increase obstruction of respiratory passages secondary to effects on bronchial secretions.
Drowsiness has been reported with meclizine; patients receiving this drug should be advised to avoid driving or operating machinery until the effects of the drug are known. Because the effects of ethanol or other CNS depressants may be additive with antihistamines, ethanol intoxication should be avoided while taking meclizine.
Meclizine is categorized as a pregnancy risk category B drug. Meclizine has been used to treat nausea and vomiting during pregnancy, but such use should occur under the advice and supervision of a qualified health care professional. Lactation can be inhibited during breast-feeding due to the anticholinergic effects of meclizine. While this agent may be excreted in breast milk, no problems have been documented in the infant.
The safety and efficacy of meclizine have not been established in children < 12 years.
[ Last revised: 1/5/2003 8:07:00 PM ]
References
. Leathem AM. Safety and efficacy of antiemetics used to treat nausea and vomiting in pregnancy. Clin Pharm 1986;5:660 - 8.
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