From the Guidelines
I strongly advise against giving meclizine to a 9-year-old for dizziness without a doctor's supervision. Meclizine is not FDA-approved for children under 12 years old, and its use in children can lead to improper dosing, unexpected side effects, or masking of symptoms that need medical attention 1. According to the clinical practice guideline for benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, clinicians should not routinely treat BPPV with vestibular suppressant medications such as antihistamines and/or benzodiazepines, which includes meclizine 1.
Key Considerations
- Dizziness in children can result from various conditions, including ear infections, migraines, dehydration, or more serious neurological issues that require proper diagnosis 1.
- The pediatrician can recommend appropriate treatment, which might include child-safe medications with proper dosing, or non-medication approaches depending on the cause.
- Never give adult medications to children without medical guidance, as this could potentially be harmful.
- The most recent guideline update recommends against the routine use of vestibular suppressant medications, including meclizine, for the treatment of BPPV 1.
Recommendations
- Consult with a pediatrician to determine the underlying cause of the child's dizziness.
- Follow the pediatrician's recommended treatment plan, which may include child-safe medications or non-medication approaches.
- Avoid giving meclizine or any other adult medication to a child without medical supervision, due to the potential risks of improper dosing, unexpected side effects, or masking of symptoms that need medical attention 1.
From the FDA Drug Label
Meclizine hydrochloride tablets are indicated for the treatment of vertigo associated with diseases affecting the vestibular system in adults. The FDA drug label does not answer the question.
From the Research
Meclizine for Dizziness in Children
- There are no studies provided that directly address the use of meclizine for dizziness in 9-year-old children.
- The available studies focus on the effects of meclizine on vestibular function, motion sickness, and dizziness in adults or do not specify age ranges that include 9-year-old children 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.
- Study 3 investigates the effects of meclizine on mammalian vestibular function, suggesting it can act on peripheral elements of the vestibular maculae, but does not provide information on its use in children.
- Study 4 evaluates the effects of anti-motion sickness drugs, including meclizine, on subjective sleepiness and cognitive performance in healthy males, indicating meclizine can decrease accuracy on the Sternberg working memory task and increase sleepiness, but again, does not address use in children.
- Study 6 revisits the effects of meclizine on motion sickness, suggesting it may work on a central level rather than through sensory-specific mechanisms, but does not provide guidance on its use in pediatric populations.
- Given the lack of direct evidence, it is not possible to determine the safety or efficacy of meclizine for treating dizziness in a 9-year-old based on the provided studies.