What is cyclizine?

Cyclizine is an antihistamine that is used as an anti-sickness medicine rather than for allergies. This page relates specifically to the use of cyclizine for motion sickness. Cyclizine has other licensed uses, but treatment supplied through this pathway must not be used for another condition.

How does cyclizine help motion sickness?

Travel sickness happens when what your eyes see and what your inner ear feels do not agree – reading in a moving car, sitting below deck on a ferry, or facing backwards on a train. Cyclizine dampens the balance signals travelling from the inner ear and blocks the part of the brain that sets off nausea and vomiting. Because cyclizine acts on that pathway rather than on the stomach, the tablet works best taken before the sickness starts.

Who this is suitable for

Adults aged 18 to 64 who get travel sickness and want something to take before a journey. Our prescribers will also consider your other medicines, medical conditions, allergies, and pregnancy or breastfeeding status before approving supply.

When this is not the right starting point

If you are 65 or over, we do not supply cyclizine through this service – anticholinergic medicines carry more risk with age, and your GP or pharmacist should advise you in person. If the medicine is for a child or teenager, the travel sickness products in our Shop range are the right place to start. Cyclizine is also not the answer for sickness that carries on when you are not travelling, for dizziness or vertigo, or for nausea with a cause that has not been looked into – all of those need assessment rather than a travel sickness tablet. And if you are already buying cyclizine regularly, please speak to your GP or pharmacist instead of ordering more.

How to take cyclizine for motion sickness

If approved, take one 50mg tablet one to two hours before you travel. You can repeat the dose up to three times a day. Always follow your pharmacy label.

Take It Before You Travel: Cyclizine works far better taken ahead of the journey than once you already feel sick.
Never More Than Three: Do not take more than three tablets (150mg) in 24 hours.
Do Not Drive: Cyclizine causes drowsiness. Do not drive, cycle, or use tools or machinery after taking cyclizine.
No Alcohol: Avoid alcohol completely while taking cyclizine. The combination makes drowsiness much worse.
With Or Without Food: Cyclizine can be taken either way. A little food may help if the tablet upsets your stomach.
Short Term Only: This is for occasional travel, not for regular daily use.
Do Not Share: Do not give your medicine to anyone else, including children.

If you miss a dose

Take the missed dose when you remember, if you still need it. If it is nearly time for the next dose, skip the missed one. Do not take two tablets together to make up for one you missed, and never exceed three in 24 hours.

If you vomit

If you are sick within about 30 minutes of taking a tablet, the dose may not have been absorbed. You may take one replacement dose, as long as you stay within three tablets in 24 hours. If you cannot keep anything down at all, stop and seek advice.

Who should not take cyclizine

Anyone allergic to cyclizine
Anyone who has been drinking heavily, or is intoxicated
Anyone who is pregnant, might be pregnant, or is breastfeeding
Anyone aged 65 or over, or under 18, through this service
Anyone with glaucoma, prostate problems or difficulty passing urine, epilepsy, liver or kidney problems, severe heart failure or a heart attack in the last 3 months, or porphyria – without speaking to a prescriber first

Tell your prescriber if you take

Opioid painkillers, methadone or buprenorphine, sedatives, sleeping tablets, or medicines for anxiety
Other anticholinergic medicines, such as some for bladder problems, Parkinson’s disease or depression
Gentamicin or another medicine that can affect your hearing or balance

Active ingredient

Each tablet contains 50mg of cyclizine hydrochloride.

Other ingredients

Inactive ingredients differ between manufacturers. Read the patient information leaflet supplied with your pack for the complete ingredient list, particularly if you have an allergy or intolerance. If you have a known allergy, tell us during your consultation so our clinicians can check the pack before we dispense.

Like all medicines, cyclizine can cause side effects, although not everyone gets them.

Common or recognised effects

Drowsiness or sleepiness

Dry mouth, nose or throat

Blurred vision

Headache or dizziness

Constipation

Restlessness or difficulty sleeping

Drowsiness is the one that affects most people. It is the reason you must not drive, cycle or use machinery after a dose, and the reason alcohol must be avoided.

Tell us or speak to a pharmacist if you get

Difficulty passing urine

A fast or irregular heartbeat, or palpitations

Confusion, agitation or unusual restlessness

Ringing in the ears

Yellowing of the skin or eyes

Stop taking cyclizine and call 999 or go to A&E if you develop

Swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat, difficulty breathing, or a widespread itchy rash

A fit or seizure

Uncontrolled muscle spasms, twisting movements, or your eyes rolling upwards and fixing

Severe confusion, hallucinations, or a sudden drop in consciousness

You can report suspected side effects through the MHRA Yellow Card scheme at yellowcard.mhra.gov.uk.