Home Drug Guide Buclizine Hydrochloride

Drug Guide

Generic Name

Buclizine Hydrochloride

Brand Names Bucladin-s

Classification

Therapeutic: Antiemetic, Antihistamine

Pharmacological: H1 Antihistamine (Anticholinergic effects)

FDA Approved Indications

  • Prevention and treatment of nausea, vomiting, and dizziness associated with motion sickness

Mechanism of Action

Buclizine blocks H1 histamine receptors in the vestibular apparatus and vomiting center, reducing stimuli that induce nausea and motion sickness.

Dosage and Administration

Adult: 25-50 mg orally 1 hour before exposure; may be repeated every 4-6 hours as needed, not exceeding 150 mg per day.

Pediatric: 5-10 mg orally 1 hour before exposure; may be repeated in 6-8 hours as needed, maximum 30 mg/day.

Geriatric: Use with caution; start at lower doses due to increased sensitivity and risk of anticholinergic side effects.

Renal Impairment: Adjust dose cautiously; no specific guidelines, use lower doses.

Hepatic Impairment: Use with caution; monitor for increased effects due to reduced metabolism.

Pharmacokinetics

Absorption: Well absorbed after oral administration.

Distribution: Widely distributed throughout body tissues, crosses the blood-brain barrier.

Metabolism: Metabolized hepatically, undergoes some degree of first-pass metabolism.

Excretion: Primarily excreted in urine.

Half Life: Approximately 3-6 hours.

Contraindications

  • Hypersensitivity to buclizine or other antihistamines.
  • Narrow-angle glaucoma.
  • Prostatic hypertrophy.
  • Urinary retention.

Precautions

  • Use with caution in elderly, during pregnancy (category B), and lactation.
  • Potential for CNS depression, caution in patients performing activities requiring mental alertness.

Adverse Reactions - Common

  • Sedation/drowsiness (Common)
  • Dry mouth (Common)
  • Dizziness (Common)

Adverse Reactions - Serious

  • Hypersensitivity reactions (rash, urticaria, angioedema) (Rare)
  • Seizures (in overdose or sensitive individuals) (Rare)
  • Confusion, hallucinations (especially in elderly) (Rare)

Drug-Drug Interactions

  • Additive CNS depression with other sedatives, alcohol, or CNS depressants.

Drug-Food Interactions

N/A

Drug-Herb Interactions

N/A

Nursing Implications

Assessment: Monitor for effectiveness in reducing nausea; observe for adverse effects like sedation or anticholinergic symptoms.

Diagnoses:

  • Risk for injury due to sedation or dizziness.
  • Impaired comfort related to adverse effects.

Implementation: Administer as prescribed; educate about potential drowsiness; advise caution when driving or operating machinery.

Evaluation: Assess for relief of nausea; monitor for adverse reactions.

Patient/Family Teaching

  • Take medication exactly as prescribed.
  • Avoid alcohol and CNS depressants.
  • Caution when driving or operating machinery until response is known.
  • Report any allergic reactions or severe side effects.

Special Considerations

Black Box Warnings: N/A

Genetic Factors: None specified.

Lab Test Interference: None known, but anticholinergic drugs may affect certain laboratory tests.

Overdose Management

Signs/Symptoms: Severe drowsiness, hallucinations, seizures, tachycardia, dry mouth, urinary retention.

Treatment: Supportive care, gastric lavage if recent ingestion, activated charcoal, manage symptoms accordingly.

Storage and Handling

Storage: Store at room temperature, away from light and moisture.

Stability: Stable when stored properly.

🛡️ 5 Critical Medication Safety Tips for Nurses

1

Triple-Check High-Risk Medications

Always have another nurse verify insulin, heparin, warfarin, and chemotherapy drugs. These "high-alert" medications cause the most serious errors. Check concentration, dose calculation, and pump settings twice.

2

Know Look-Alike, Sound-Alike Drugs

Common mix-ups: hydromorphone/morphine, Celebrex/Celexa, Zyprexa/Zyrtec. Always use BOTH generic and brand names, read labels twice, and use barcode scanning when available. One wrong letter can be fatal.

3

Assess Before AND After Giving Meds

Check vitals before cardiac meds, pain levels before analgesics, and blood glucose before insulin. Always reassess within 30 minutes to evaluate effectiveness and watch for adverse reactions.

4

Watch for Drug Interactions

Common dangerous combinations: warfarin + aspirin (bleeding), ACE inhibitors + potassium (hyperkalemia), digoxin + diuretics (toxicity). Always check drug interactions before administering new medications.

5

Educate Your Patients

Teach patients medication names, purposes, major side effects, and what to report. Informed patients catch errors and improve compliance. Always encourage questions - an educated patient is a safer patient.

⚡ Remember: When in doubt, don't give it out! It's always safer to double-check than regret later.

⚠️ Medical Disclaimer

This drug guide is for educational purposes only and is NOT intended for clinical use. Always consult current prescribing information, healthcare providers, and institutional protocols before administering any medication. Do not use this information for patient care decisions.