Home Drug Guide Cyclizine Lactate

Drug Guide

Generic Name

Cyclizine Lactate

Brand Names Marezine

Classification

Therapeutic: Antiemetic

Pharmacological: Histamine H1 receptor antagonist

FDA Approved Indications

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

Mechanism of Action

Cyclizine selectively inhibits H1 histamine receptors in the central nervous system, leading to suppression of the nausea and vomiting reflexes.

Dosage and Administration

Adult: Typically, 50 mg three times daily. Dose may be adjusted based on clinical response.

Pediatric: Not recommended for children under 6 years due to limited safety data.

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

Renal Impairment: Adjust dosage based on severity of impairment.

Hepatic Impairment: Use caution; monitor for increased effects.

Pharmacokinetics

Absorption: Well absorbed after oral administration.

Distribution: Widely distributed, crosses blood-brain barrier.

Metabolism: Metabolized in the liver.

Excretion: Excreted primarily via the kidneys.

Half Life: Approximately 9 hours.

Contraindications

  • Hypersensitivity to cyclizine or other antihistamines.
  • Caution in patients with angle-closure glaucoma, urinary retention, or gastrointestinal obstruction.

Precautions

  • Use with caution in patients with liver or renal impairment, elderly, and during pregnancy and lactation.

Adverse Reactions - Common

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

Adverse Reactions - Serious

  • Anticholinergic toxicity (e.g., hallucinations, agitation) (Rare)
  • Hepatic toxicity (Rare)

Drug-Drug Interactions

  • CNS depressants (additive sedative effects)

Drug-Food Interactions

N/A

Drug-Herb Interactions

N/A

Nursing Implications

Assessment: Monitor for effectiveness and adverse effects, especially sedation and anticholinergic effects.

Diagnoses:

  • Risk for injury related to sedation or dizziness.
  • Impaired skin integrity due to dry mouth.

Implementation: Administer with food if gastric upset occurs. Monitor for signs of anticholinergic toxicity.

Evaluation: Assess reduction in nausea and vomiting, monitor for adverse side effects.

Patient/Family Teaching

  • Advise patients to avoid activities requiring mental alertness (e.g., driving).
  • Warn about dry mouth, blurred vision, and dizziness.
  • Instruct patient to report any severe side effects or allergic reactions.

Special Considerations

Black Box Warnings: N/A

Genetic Factors: None identified.

Lab Test Interference: None significant.

Overdose Management

Signs/Symptoms: Extreme sedation, hallucinations, agitation, tachycardia, dry mouth, urinary retention.

Treatment: Supportive care; activated charcoal if ingestion recent; symptomatic treatment for anticholinergic effects. Dialysis generally not effective.

Storage and Handling

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

Stability: Stable for 2-3 years when properly stored.

🛡️ 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.