Meclizine (NausX®) for Dogs: Motion Sickness Relief

About 1 in 5 dogs get motion sickness, which can make them feel sick and throw up when they travel¹. Luckily, there’s a vet-approved way to help: Meclizine, found in NausX® for dogs. This medicine has been trusted for years to ease motion sickness and other issues in dogs, keeping them comfy on trips.

Key Takeaways

• Meclizine is an FDA-approved human medicine used for dogs, cats, rabbits, and other small animals to fight motion sickness and dizziness¹.
• NausX® is a special version of meclizine for dogs, with different types for small, medium, and big breeds¹².
• Meclizine stops the signals from the inner ear to the brain that cause nausea and vomiting¹.
• You can give meclizine as a chewable tablet, with the right amount and how often depends on the dog’s size and health².
• Meclizine is usually safe but might make some dogs sleepy, dry-eyed, or have a fast heart rate. Use it carefully if your dog has health issues¹.

What is Meclizine?

Meclizine is a type of antihistamine used to prevent and treat motion sickness in humans and animals, including dogs¹. It’s not officially approved for pets by the FDA but vets use it to help with motion sickness and balance issues¹.

Understanding Meclizine and Its Uses

Meclizine stops signals from the inner ear to the brain, reducing nausea and vomiting¹. It’s the same ingredient found in human meds like Antivert® and is used for motion sickness in dogs and cats³. This drug has several effects in dogs and cats, including reducing nausea and calming the nervous system³.

FDA Approval and Compounded Formulations

Meclizine is approved for people under the name Antivert®, but not for pets¹. Yet, vets can legally use it for animals in certain situations, known as “off-label” use¹. Sometimes, vets suggest a special form of meclizine made by a pharmacist for a pet’s specific needs¹.

Meclizine is approved for people under the name Antivert® and is part of Dramamine® Less Drowsy and Bonine®, but not for pets¹. Sometimes, vets prescribe special meclizine forms for pets when regular drugs won’t work¹³².

How Meclizine Works for Dogs

Meclizine’s Mechanism of Action

Meclizine is an H1 receptor blocker found in NausX®. It blocks histamine, a key chemical in the stomach⁴. This stops histamine from sending signals that cause nausea and vomiting⁴.

Meclizine stops signals from the inner ear to the brain that cause motion sickness⁴. This helps dogs feel better when they’re sick from motion.

Dogs with motion sickness may drool a lot, feel restless, or even vomit⁵. Young dogs often get it because their inner ear isn’t fully developed yet⁵. Meclizine blocks the signals that make them feel sick, helping them and their owners during trips.

Meclizine HCl is a chewable tablet for dogs to prevent and treat motion sickness⁶. It works for about 6 hours and shouldn’t be given more than twice in 24 hours for dogs up to 75 pounds⁶.

Knowing how meclizine works helps pet owners and vets use it safely and effectively. It’s a key tool for managing motion sickness in dogs.

Administering Meclizine to Dogs

Meclizine, also known as NausX®, is a common medicine for dogs with motion sickness⁷. Vets give meclizine based on the dog’s weight and the condition it treats. The usual dose is 12.5-25 mg, given 30-60 minutes before travel or as needed for other conditions⁷. You can give meclizine with or without food, but food might help prevent stomach upset⁷. Your vet will tell you how often and for how long to give it.

Dosage and Frequency Guidelines

⁷ Meclizine comes in different strengths for dogs: 12.5 mg, 25 mg, 30 mg, and 50 mg tablets, and 25 mg capsules⁷. The dose depends on the dog’s weight: 0 – 5kg, 6 – 20kg, and 20kg+⁷. Give meclizine to dogs 30 – 60 minutes before they travel. It works for three to six hours after taking it.

Missed Dose Instructions

If you forget to give meclizine, give the dose as soon as you remember⁸. But, if it’s almost time for the next dose, just skip the missed one and go back to the regular schedule⁸. Never give your dog two doses at once to avoid side effects⁸. If unsure, call your vet for advice on a missed dose of meclizine.

Always follow your vet’s instructions when giving meclizine to your dog⁸. The right dose and following the vet’s plan are key for safe and effective use of this medicine for motion sickness or other dog health issues⁸⁹⁷.

Potential Side Effects and Precautions

Meclizine, found in NausX®, is usually safe for dogs. But, pet owners should watch for side effects. These can include drowsiness, sleepiness, dry eyes, and a faster heart rate¹⁰. If your dog shows any of these signs, stop the medicine and call your vet right away¹⁰.

Don’t give meclizine to pregnant dogs or puppies under 6 months old¹¹. Also, be careful with dogs who have certain health issues. These include an enlarged prostate, spinal disease, severe heart disease, bladder cancer, urinary obstruction, glaucoma, liver disease, seizure disorders, or those on other meds like fluoxetine, metoclopramide, or other antihistamines¹¹. Vets will weigh the risks and benefits before giving meclizine to these dogs.

Contraindications and Interactions

Don’t use meclizine on pets allergic to it or similar drugs, newborn pets, or those getting skin tests soon⁴. Be careful with pets having glaucoma, seizures, high thyroid levels, heart disease, high blood pressure, enlarged prostate, stomach or urinary blockage, and breathing problems⁴.

Be cautious when mixing meclizine with some other drugs like anticholinergic drugs, central nervous system depressants, or tricyclic antidepressants⁴. Also, stop meclizine at least 2 weeks before allergy tests⁴.

Vets will think about these possible issues when giving meclizine, or NausX®, to dogs. They want to make sure it’s safe and good for them¹⁰⁴¹¹.

Meclizine (NausX®) for Dog Motion Sickness

Meclizine, known as NausX® for dogs, is a great way to prevent and treat motion sickness in dogs⁶. It works by stopping signals from the inner ear to the brain, which helps reduce nausea and vomiting during car rides¹. Vets often suggest it for dogs that get sick from car rides, and it should be given 30-60 minutes before traveling⁶.

NausX for dogs has meclizine HCL, 25mg, as its main ingredient⁶. It’s for dogs between 26 to 75 pounds⁶. The effects last about 6 hours⁶. Don’t give more than two doses in 24 hours for dogs in this weight range⁶.

About 7.2 million dogs got motion sickness in 2006, but only 1.8 million got vet help¹². Young dogs, especially puppies, are more likely to feel car sick because their balance system is still developing¹². Most puppies stop feeling motion sick by their first year, but some may still have it¹².

Meclizine is also used for dogs with dizziness from ear problems¹. But, the NausX® for big dogs doesn’t have meclizine. Instead, it has dimenhydrinate¹. Small breed dogs get a version with meclizine¹.

Meclizine is FDA-approved for people, but not for dogs¹. It’s in some human medicines like Antivert® and Bonine®¹. But, these aren’t for dogs¹. It works by blocking a part of the brain to stop nausea and vomiting¹.

Talk to a vet before giving meclizine to your pet, as it’s not safe for all conditions¹. Side effects include sleepiness, dry eyes, and fast heart rate¹. Don’t give it to pregnant dogs or puppies under 6 months¹. If your pet takes too much, get vet help right away¹.

Keep meclizine in a cool place, between 68–77 F¹. Store it in a dry place, between 20 – 25°C (66 – 78°F)⁶. It’s chewable, pink, and comes in packs of 10 tablets⁶. The packaging shows when it was made and sold⁶. It’s an over-the-counter drug for pets⁶.

“Meclizine is an effective medication for the prevention and treatment of motion sickness in dogs, helping to reduce nausea, vomiting, and other associated symptoms.”

In conclusion, meclizine, as NausX® for dogs, is a key tool for managing motion sickness. Knowing how to use it safely and effectively can make trips better for dogs.

Treating Vestibular Disease with Meclizine

Vets may use meclizine (NausX®) to help dogs with dizziness and nausea from vestibular disease¹³. This disease is a group of conditions that make dogs lose their balance and get disoriented, often called “old dog syndrome.”¹³ Meclizine can stop abnormal signals from the vestibular system to the brain, easing symptoms and improving life quality¹³.

Most dogs over seven years old get peripheral vestibular disease¹³. Signs include losing balance, tilting their head, moving their eyes strangely, and feeling sick or vomiting¹³. Luckily, most dogs start to get better in 2 to 3 days¹³. But, some might take up to six weeks to fully recover¹³.

Causes of this disease include ear infections, viral infections, or neck injuries¹³. Treatment includes rest, anti-nausea drugs like meclizine (NausX®), and sometimes steroids¹³. Omega 3 supplements can also help heal and prevent future problems¹³.

Central vestibular disease affects the brainstem and shows different symptoms¹³. It can be caused by brain damage, infection, or other illnesses¹³. Only a vet can figure out the type of disease by looking at symptoms and doing tests¹³.

Knowing about the types of vestibular disease and how meclizine (NausX®) helps, pet owners can work with vets to care for their dogs¹³.

Meclizine is not just for motion sickness in dogs; it’s also good for vestibular disease¹¹. By understanding how it works and its side effects, pet owners and vets can give the best care to dogs with vestibular issues¹¹¹⁴.

“Meclizine is a powerful tool in our arsenal for managing vestibular disease in dogs, helping to alleviate the distressing symptoms and improve their quality of life.”

– Dr. Emma Lowe, Veterinary Neurologist

It’s key to watch how a dog reacts to meclizine (NausX®) and look out for bad side effects¹⁴. Pet owners should work with their vets to use this drug safely and effectively for dogs with vestibular disease¹¹¹⁴.

Comparing Meclizine to Other Anti-Nausea Drugs

Meclizine (NausX®) and dimenhydrinate (found in Dramamine®) are both used to help dogs with motion sickness. But, they are not the same. Dimenhydrinate can make dogs sleepier, which might be good or bad¹⁵. Meclizine is often seen as better for motion sickness and problems with balance in dogs¹⁵.

Dimenhydrinate (Dramamine®)

Dimenhydrinate, the key part of Dramamine®, is also used for dogs with motion sickness. It can work well, but it might make dogs sleepier than meclizine¹⁵. This could matter if you want your dog to stay awake and active when traveling or doing other things.

Cerenia (Maropitant Citrate)

Cerenia (maropitant citrate) is a drug that helps prevent and treat vomiting in dogs, including from motion sickness. It’s different from meclizine, focusing on the brain’s vomiting center instead¹⁵. Cerenia was the first drug approved by the FDA for dogs, offering an alternative to meclizine in some cases.

In summary, meclizine, dimenhydrinate, and Cerenia all help with motion sickness and nausea in dogs. But, they work differently and last for various times. Owners and vets should think about these differences when picking the best medicine for their dog¹⁵¹⁶¹⁷.

Essential Drug Information

Meclizine, known as NausX®, is a key medicine for dogs. It helps prevent and control nausea, vomiting, and dizziness from motion sickness¹¹. Even though it’s not FDA-approved for pets, vets often use it to help dogs¹.

This drug is an antihistamine that stops certain chemical messengers in the stomach from reaching the brain’s center for vomiting¹. It’s a good choice for dogs with motion sickness and vestibular disease¹.

The right dose of meclizine depends on the condition being treated. Adults usually start with 25 to 50 milligrams an hour before traveling¹¹. But, dogs need a different dose based on their size and weight, so a vet should decide¹¹.

Meclizine is usually safe for pets, but it can cause drowsiness, fast heartbeat, skin rash, vomiting, and dry mouth¹¹. Always follow your vet’s advice to avoid these side effects¹¹.

Keep meclizine in a sealed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and light¹¹. Make sure it’s out of children and pet reach to stop them from taking it by mistake¹¹.

“Meclizine is used in veterinary medicine for the treatment and prevention of motion sickness in dogs and to treat dizziness associated with vestibular disease in various small animals such as dogs, cats, rabbits, rodents, among others.”¹

Drug Storage and Safety

Storing and keeping safe meclizine (NausX®) for your dog is key. Keep it in a cool, dry place, between 68-77°F, in a sealed container¹⁴. If you have a special mix, follow the advice from the pharmacy¹¹.

Keep meclizine (NausX®) away from kids and pets to avoid mistakes or too much medicine¹¹. If you think your dog took too much, call your vet or a poison help line right away¹¹. Even though bad reactions like seizures are rare¹⁴, watch your dog closely for any signs of trouble. If you see anything bad, get help from a vet.

By storing it right and being careful, you can make sure meclizine (NausX®) works well for your dog’s motion sickness¹¹. Always keep it safe and talk to your vet if you have any worries¹⁴¹¹¹.

Conclusion

Meclizine, known as NausX®, is a safe and effective way to help dogs with motion sickness and vestibular disease¹⁸. It works by stopping signals from the inner ear to the brain’s center that controls vomiting. This can reduce nausea, vomiting, and other symptoms dogs get from motion sickness and vertigo¹⁹. Vets often give meclizine to dogs with motion sickness or vestibular problems. They give the right amount and watch for any side effects.

Using meclizine (NausX®) helps dogs feel better from symptoms like whining, yawning a lot, drooling, nausea, vomiting, and being very tired²⁰. It’s especially good for dogs that easily get motion sickness, like Boxers, Border Terriers, Dachshunds, and Golden Retrievers¹⁸. With a vet’s guidance, meclizine can make dogs more comfortable when traveling and better in their daily life.

In short, meclizine (NausX®) is a trusted medicine for dogs with motion sickness and vestibular disease. Knowing how it works, how much to give, and possible side effects helps pet owners and vets make sure dogs travel without stress.

Source Links

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5. Dramamine for Dogs: Treating Motion Sickness, Dosing & Side Effects
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7. Meclizine For Dogs – THE Solution for Canine Car Sickness
8. Dog Car Sickness: Natural Remedies, Nausea Medicine & More Tips For Puppies Throwing Up
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10. Cerenia
11. Meclizine (Oral Route) Side Effects
12. Preventing & Treating Motion Sickness in Dogs | Preventive Vet
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20. Dramamine For Dogs: Everything You Need To Know