Introduction
Avert is an antihistamine medicine used to treat nausea, vomiting and vertigo associated with motion sickness.
Avert should be taken with or without food, but take it at the same time every day to get the most benefit. If you are travelling, then take it one hour before travelling. It should be taken as your doctor's advice. The dose and how often you take it depends on what you are taking it for. Your doctor will decide how much you need to improve your symptoms. You should take this medicine for as long as it is prescribed for you. In case, you have missed any doses than it is better to take the next dose as soon as you remember it. However, you should never take a double dose.
Sleepiness is the most common side effect of this medicine. Avoid driving or attention-seeking activity. If these bother you or appear serious, let your doctor know. There may be ways of reducing or preventing them. In some cases, it may cause dryness of mouth, so it is advised to drink more water, always carry sugar candy or maintain oral hygiene.
Before taking this medicine, let your doctor know if you have glaucoma or have any gastro related issues or have high blood pressure. Inform your doctor if you are pregnant, or breastfeeding. Your doctor should also know about all other medicines you are taking as many of these may make this medicine less effective or change the way it works. Generally, it is advised to avoid alcohol while on treatment.
How to use Avert
Take this medicine in the dose and duration as advised by your doctor. Swallow it as a whole. Do not chew, crush or break it. Avert may be taken with or without food, but it is better to take it at a fixed time.
How Avert works
Avert is an antihistaminic medication. It works by blocking the action of histamine, a chemical in the brain that controls nausea, vomiting, and balance. It also makes you sleepy.
What if you forget to take Avert?
If you miss a dose of Avert, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular schedule. Do not double the dose.
Indication
Motion sickness, Vertigo and Vestibular disorders
Administration
May be taken with or without food.
Adult Dose
Oral
Motion sickness
Adult: 25-50 mg 1 hr before travelling and repeat 24 hrly if needed.
Vertigo and vestibular disorders
Adult: 25-100 mg daily in divided doses. Discontinue if there is no response after 1-2 wk of treatment.
Nausea and vomiting
25-50 mg daily
Radiation sickness:
50 mg administered 2-12 hours prior to radiation treatment.
Prevention of nausea and vomiting associated with emergency contraceptive pill (ECP) :
25-50 mg, 1 hour before first ECP dose; repeat if needed in 24 hours.
Child Dose
Oral
<12 years: Safety and efficacy not established
Motion Sickness
>12 years: 12.5-50 mg PO given 1 hour before travel and then daily PRN
Vertigo
>12 years: 25-100 mg/day PO in single daily dose or divided q6-12hr
Contraindication
Meclizine Hydrochloride and Pyridoxine Hydrochloride is contraindicated in patients who are hypersensitive to these ingredients.
Mode of Action
Meclozine blocks vasopressor response to histamine and has a slight blocking action against acetylcholine. It decreases excitability of the middle ear labyrinth and blocks conduction in the middle ear vestibular-cerebellar pathways.
Precaution
Patients should be warned that Meclizine Hydrochloride may impair their ability to perform hazardous activities requiring mental alertness or physical coordination (e.g., operating machinery, driving a motor vehicle). Patients should avoid alcoholic beverages while taking this drug. Due to its potential anticholinergic action, this drug should be used with caution in patients with asthma, glaucoma or enlargement of the prostate gland.
Lactation: Not known if excreted in milk; use caution
Side Effect
Headache, drowsiness, vomiting, dry mouth, fatigue. Rarely, blurred vision.
Interaction
Additive effects with CNS depressants, neuroleptics, anticholinergics, alcohol.