What is the Meclizine dose for vertigo?

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Last updated: February 19, 2025View editorial policy

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From the Guidelines

Meclizine Dose for Vertigo

The recommended dose of Meclizine for vertigo is 25-50 mg orally, taken 1 hour before travel or as needed 1.

  • The maximum dose is 50 mg per day, and it should not be exceeded.
  • Treatment duration is typically limited to a few days, but in some cases, it may be continued for up to 2 weeks.
  • It's essential to start with a low dose and gradually increase as needed and tolerated.
  • Meclizine should be taken with food to minimize side effects, and patients should be advised to avoid driving or operating heavy machinery until they know how the medication affects them.
  • Meclizine is an antihistamine that appears to have a suppressive effect on the central emetic center to relieve the nausea and vomiting associated with motion sickness, making it a useful option for managing vertigo symptoms 1.

From the FDA Drug Label

The recommended dosage is 25 mg to 100 mg daily administered orally, in divided doses, depending upon clinical response. The Meclizine dose for vertigo is 25 mg to 100 mg daily, administered in divided doses, depending on clinical response 2.

  • The dose can be adjusted based on the patient's response to the medication.
  • The medication should be taken orally, in divided doses throughout the day.

From the Research

Meclizine Dose for Vertigo

  • The dose of meclizine for vertigo is not explicitly stated in most of the provided studies, but one study mentions that meclizine 25 mg was used in a clinical trial for the treatment of acute peripheral vertigo 3.
  • Another study discusses the pharmacokinetics of meclizine and its absorption, but does not provide a specific dose for vertigo 4.
  • A study on the repurposing of meclizine for children with achondroplasia mentions that meclizine 12.5 and 25 mg/day were administered to patients, but this is not directly related to the treatment of vertigo 5.
  • There is no clear consensus on the optimal dose of meclizine for vertigo, and more research may be needed to determine the most effective dose.

Comparison to Other Studies

  • One study compared the effectiveness of meclizine to diazepam in the treatment of acute peripheral vertigo, but did not discuss the dose of meclizine in detail 3.
  • Another study discussed the use of transdermal scopolamine for the prevention of motion sickness, but did not mention meclizine or its dose for vertigo 6.
  • A study on the treatment of acute vertigo mentions various medications, including diazepam and methoclopramide, but does not discuss meclizine or its dose 7.

References

Guideline

Guideline Directed Topic Overview

Dr.Oracle Medical Advisory Board & Editors, 2025

Research

The treatment of acute vertigo.

Neurological sciences : official journal of the Italian Neurological Society and of the Italian Society of Clinical Neurophysiology, 2004

Professional Medical Disclaimer

This information is intended for healthcare professionals. Any medical decision-making should rely on clinical judgment and independently verified information. The content provided herein does not replace professional discretion and should be considered supplementary to established clinical guidelines. Healthcare providers should verify all information against primary literature and current practice standards before application in patient care. Dr.Oracle assumes no liability for clinical decisions based on this content.

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