Meclizine Dosages for Adults: Your GoodRx Guide

Determined not to let motion sickness ruin your next trip? The good news is you have some options to help keep symptoms at bay. Meclizine (Bonine, Dramamine Less Drowsy) is an over-the-counter (OTC) medication that can be an effective option for motion sickness, especially when you take it ahead of time.

But, it’s important to know how to take this motion sickness remedy properly if you need it. Let’s discuss what you need to know about recommended meclizine dosages.

What’s the typical meclizine dosage for adults?

Meclizine is a type of antihistamine that’s taken to prevent or treat symptoms of motion sickness, such as nausea, vomiting, and dizziness while moving or traveling. It’s available OTC under brand names like Bonine or Dramamine Less Drowsy, each with lower-cost generic versions.

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Higher doses of meclizine are also available with a prescription. It’s sometimes prescribed to treat vertigo (a spinning sensation).

Adolescents ages 12 years and older can follow adult meclizine doses. But children under 12 shouldn’t take meclizine. It’s unclear if meclizine is safe or effective for this age group. Talk with your child’s healthcare provider about safe options to treat motion sickness.

Motion sickness

The typical adult meclizine dosage for motion sickness is 25 mg to 50 mg by mouth once a day. Meclizine starts to work about an hour after you take it and lasts for roughly 8 to 24 hours. So, plan your dose accordingly. It’s best to take it 1 hour before you begin the activity or event that causes motion sickness.

Read your medicine label carefully. OTC meclizine comes in two doses: 12.5 mg and 25 mg. This will help you know how many tablets to take per dose. Meclizine also comes as both a chewable tablet and regular tablet. Chewable tablets should be crushed or chewed completely before you swallow them. Regular tablets need to be swallowed whole.

Vertigo

Typical meclizine dosages for vertigo range from 25 mg to 100 mg per day. Generally, this total daily dose is split into a few smaller doses and spread out throughout the day. Your healthcare provider will determine your specific meclizine dosage and how often you should take it during the day.

Are there any dosage adjustments for medical conditions?

There are no specific dose adjustments for meclizine for health conditions. But, there are some people who should talk with their healthcare provider before taking meclizine. Three of these groups include older adults, people with certain health conditions, and people taking medications that cause drowsiness.

Older adults

If you’re 65 years of age or older, talk to your healthcare provider before taking meclizine. You may need a lower dose or need to avoid it altogether. Meclizine has anticholinergic side effects, which older adults are more sensitive to. These include blurry vision, confusion, and memory problems. Meclizine can also cause drowsiness and may raise the risk of falls.

People with certain health conditions

Some health conditions might require lower dosing, closer monitoring, or avoidance of meclizine. Check with a healthcare provider ahead of time if you have any of the following:

• Kidney or liver problems

• Glaucoma

• Lung conditions like asthma

• An enlarged prostate

People taking medications that cause drowsiness

Be aware of interactions with meclizine. One of meclizine’s biggest side effects is drowsiness. It tends to interact with other medications and substances that also cause this side effect. Avoid taking meclizine with alcohol, sedatives like zolpidem (Ambien), or other antihistamines. It’s also best to avoid driving or performing other tasks that require mental alertness until you know how meclizine affects you.

What happens if you miss a dose of meclizine?

Forgot to take your meclizine ahead of time for motion sickness? You can still take your meclizine dose if you’re already experiencing symptoms. Just remember that it takes about an hour to kick in. But don’t try to take more to make up for lost time. Taking extra meclizine won’t help it work faster.

If you missed a dose of prescription meclizine for vertigo, take it as soon as you remember. But, if it’s close to the time of your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with the regular dosing schedule from your provider. Don’t take extra pills to make up for the missed dose.

What should you do if you take too much meclizine?

Taking an extra dose or two of meclizine by mistake isn’t likely to cause serious harm for most people. But you may feel more side effects than usual, such as drowsiness or dry mouth. However, taking large amounts of meclizine can be dangerous in severe cases and may require medical attention. Overdose symptoms can include low blood pressure, seizures, or coma. Older adults and children are more sensitive to these serious effects.

If you or a loved one has taken too much meclizine, or if a child under 12 years old has taken meclizine without a healthcare provider's OK, call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222. If anything seems life-threatening, or if a person loses consciousness, it’s best to call 911 or seek medical help right away.

How to save on meclizine

There are ways to save on meclizine, which is available as a lower-cost generic medication. By having your healthcare provider write a prescription for OTC meclizine, GoodRx can help you save.

OTC meclizine’s price at certain pharmacies is as low as $3.51 with a free GoodRx discount. Prescription meclizine’s price at certain pharmacies is as low as $9.69 with a free GoodRx discount.

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Written by:

Tegan Smedley, PharmD, APh

Tegan Smedley, PharmD, APh, has 10 years of experience as a pharmacist. She has worked in a variety of settings, including retail, hospital, and ambulatory care.

Edited by:

Christina Aungst, PharmD

Christina Aungst, PharmD, is a pharmacy editor for GoodRx. She began writing for GoodRx Health in 2019, transitioning from freelance writer to editor in 2021.

Reviewed by:

Joshua Murdock, PharmD, BCBBS

Joshua Murdock, PharmD, BCBBS, is a licensed pharmacist in Arizona, Colorado, and Rhode Island. He has worked in the pharmacy industry for more than 10 years and currently serves as a pharmacy editor for GoodRx.

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