Meclizine
“This page provides important general information for pet owners whose animals have been prescribed Meclizine for pets in Perth during a consultation by Dr Noor.”
(mek-li-zeen)
Description:
This medicine is an antihistamine (a drug often used for allergy-type problems). It is also an anti-nausea and anti-vomiting medicine.
Other Names for this Medication:
- Antivert®
Common Dosage Forms:
- For animals: there is no standard veterinary-made form.
- For people: tablets taken by mouth in 12.5 mg, 25 mg, and 50 mg strengths.
This handout does not include every possible detail about this medicine. It is meant to answer common questions, but it does not replace medical guidance. If you still have questions or need more details about this medicine, contact your veterinarian or your pharmacist.
Key Information
- May be given on an empty stomach or with food. If you give it with a small snack or treat, that may reduce the chance of vomiting.
- If you are using it to help prevent travel sickness, give it 30 to 60 minutes before the trip.
- The side effect seen most often is sleepiness (being drowsy).
How is this medication useful? Meclizine for pets
- In small pets, meclizine is used to help treat vomiting and to help prevent vomiting from motion sickness.
- In rabbits, it is also used for head tilt (also called wry neck or torticollis).
This medicine is not officially approved for animals. In some situations, veterinarians may prescribe a medicine like this for different animal species or for different problems. You and your veterinarian can talk about why this medicine is the best option.
What should I tell my veterinarian to see if this medication can be safely given?
Many different factors can change how well this medicine works for your pet. Talk with your veterinarian about the points below so you can decide together on the best plan.
- Because some medicines can affect how this one works, tell your veterinarian and pharmacist about everything your pet receives. This includes:
- prescription medicines
- over-the-counter products
- vitamins
- supplements
- herbal products
Also share how much you give and when you give each one.
- Tell your veterinarian about any health problems your pet has now, or has had before.
- If your pet has had treatment for the same problem in the past, tell your veterinarian what was used and whether it helped or did not help.
- If your pet is pregnant or nursing, discuss the possible risks of using this medicine with your veterinarian.
- Also tell your veterinarian and pharmacist if your pet has ever had side effects from medicines before. This includes:
- allergic reactions
- not wanting to eat
- diarrhea
- itching
- hair loss
How long until I will know if this medication is working, and how long will the effects of this medication last?
You should usually see your pet start to feel better within 1 to 2 hours after a dose. After that, the signs you are seeing should lessen.
This medicine does not last a long time. Its effect ends within 24 hours. However, the helpful effect may last longer if your pet’s kidneys and/or liver are not working well.
When should this medication not be used or be used very carefully?
No medicine is completely safe for every patient. Your veterinarian will talk with you about any special concerns for your pet.
This drug SHOULD NOT be used in patients:
- That have an allergy to this medicine.
This drug should be used WITH CAUTION in patients:
- That have an enlarged prostate, a blockage that makes it hard to pass urine or move food through the gut, very serious heart failure, or glaucoma.
If your pet has any of the conditions listed above, talk with your veterinarian about the possible risks compared with the possible benefits.
What are the side effects of this medication?
Side effects that are usually not serious include:
You do not need to be extremely worried if you notice these signs unless they are severe, get worse, or do not go away. If that happens, contact your veterinarian.
- Fatigue or sleepiness (common).
- Dry mouth, dry eyes, a fast heartbeat, and effects on the brain/nerves such as being overactive (for example, agitation or pacing; uncommon).
- Cats: eating less than usual (uncommon).
If my animal gets too much of this medication (an overdose), what should I do?
If you see an overdose happen, or you think it may have happened, contact your veterinarian right away or call an animal poison control service for instructions.
How should this medication be given?
To get the intended effect, give this medicine exactly the way your veterinarian directed. Always read the prescription label to confirm you are giving it correctly.
- You may give this medicine with food or without food. If your pet vomits or seems unwell after getting it on an empty stomach, give the next dose with food or a small treat. If vomiting continues, contact your veterinarian.
- If you are using a specially made liquid version (a compounded liquid), measure each dose with care. Your veterinarian or pharmacist can provide special spoons or syringes to help you measure.
- If giving the medicine is difficult, contact your veterinarian or pharmacist for advice on how to give doses and how to make medication time less stressful.
- This medicine may be used for different lengths of time. Make sure you understand how long your veterinarian wants your pet to keep taking it. You may need prescription refills before treatment is finished. Do not stop this medicine without speaking with your veterinarian first, because there may be important reasons to continue.
What should I do if I miss giving a dose of this medication?
If you forget a dose, give it as soon as you remember. Then wait the usual amount of time between doses that your veterinarian recommended before giving the next one. Do not give two doses at once and do not give extra doses.
How should I store this medication?
- Keep this medicine in the original prescription container, or in another approved dose organizer (such as a pill minder). Store it at room temperature and keep it away from light.
- If your veterinarian or pharmacist prepared a special (compounded) version for your pet, follow the storage directions and the expiration date provided for that product.
- Store it where children and other animals cannot reach it.
Can handling this medication be hazardous to me, my family, or other animals?
There are no special safety steps needed when handling this medicine unless you are allergic to it. Wash your hands after you handle any medicine.
How should I dispose of this medication if I don’t use it all?
- Do not put this medicine into the toilet or pour it into a sink drain. If your area has a community medicine “take-back” program, use that.
- If there is no take-back option, combine the medicine with used coffee grounds or cat litter. This helps make it unappealing to children and animals and harder for people to recognize if they search through trash. Put the mixture into a sealable plastic bag so it cannot leak, and then place it in the household trash.
- Do not keep leftover medicine to use later, and do not give it to anyone else.
What other information is important for this medication?
- In some animal competitions, using this medicine may not be permitted. Check the rules before entering your animal in a competition while your pet is receiving this medicine.
- If you have more questions about this medicine, contact your veterinarian or pharmacist.
“Disclaimer: The information on this page is provided as general educational material only. Every animal’s health situation is unique, and treatment decisions must be based on a full veterinary assessment. Always follow the specific instructions given during your consultation, and contact the prescribing veterinarian if you have any concerns.”
mobile vet Perth support may also help with Meclizine for pets in Perth follow-up and medication supply questions.
For Meclizine for pets in Perth, you can also arrange a booking if your pet needs review.