If you or your child have been prescribed cyclizine, follow your doctor's instructions about how and when to take it.
Dosage and strength
Cyclizine comes as 50mg tablets and 50mg injections.
The usual dose is:
- adults and children aged 12 and over – 50mg
- children aged 6 to 11 years – 25mg
- motion sickness – 25mg
Doses for children
For motion sickness, give a 25mg dose. If you have the 50mg tablet, it has a score line so you can break it in half into 2 equal doses.
How to take it
You can take cyclizine with or without food.
You can usually take it when you need it, up to 3 times a day, as long as it is 8 hours apart.
For motion sickness, take cyclizine 1 to 2 hours before travel. If you're going on a long journey, you can take another dose after 8 hours, and 1 more after another 8 hours if needed.
How long to take it for
How long you take cyclizine for depends on why you're taking it.
For motion sickness or after surgery, you may only need to take cyclizine for a couple of days.
You may need to take cyclizine for longer if you're taking it to prevent symptoms – for example, to stop sickness after cancer therapy or if you have inner ear problems, such as Ménière's disease.
Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you're unsure how long you need to take cyclizine for.
If you forget to take it
For motion sickness, take it as soon as you remember. For anything else, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the usual time.
Never take 2 doses at the same time. Never take an extra dose to make up for a forgotten one.
If you take cyclizine every day and you often forget doses, it may help to set an alarm to remind you. You could also ask your pharmacist for advice on other ways to help you remember to take your medicine.
If you take too much
Too much cyclizine can be dangerous for you or your child.
Urgent advice: Contact 111 for advice now if:
you or your child take more than the usual dose of cyclizine and:
- feel very sleepy
- have a very fast, irregular or pounding heartbeat (palpitations)
- have breathing problems
Go to 111.nhs.uk or call 111
If you need to go to A&E, do not drive yourself. Get someone else to drive you or call for an ambulance.
Take the medicine packet or leaflet inside it, and any remaining medicine with you.
Immediate action required: Call 999 or go to A&E now if:
you or your child take too much cyclizine and:
- have a fit or seizure
- have uncontrolled movements, especially in the hands or feet
- see or hear things that are not there (hallucinations)