by Maggie Tan MK
Introducing Veloxin®, a once daily dosing antihistamine listed in the Malaysia Ministry of Health Drug Formulary (Blue Book) as a category B medicine. It is indicated for the prevention and treatment of nausea, vomiting or vertigo associated with motion sickness and other vestibular disorders.
Veloxin® contains Meclozine 25mg is a first generation antihistamine of the piperazine class. It is classified by FDA as category B for use in pregnancy. There are no adequate and well controlled studies in pregnant women or animals’ studies which have shown an adverse effect. This means that it is not expected to harm an unborn baby.
Veloxin Tablet also contains Pyridoxine (vitamin B6) which is classified by FDA as category A. Therefore, it is considered to be safe for use during pregnancy. In fact, Pyridoxine requirements increase during pregnancy. It has been found to be effective in significantly reducing severe vomiting.
Common dosage of Veloxin® is 1 - 2 tablet(s) daily. The onset of action is about 1 hour and the drug has prolonged duration of action, with effects persisting 8 to 24 hours following administration of a single oral dose. Some common side effects such as drowsiness, dry mouth, tiredness may occur. Caution should be used to avoid over dosage when concomitantly administer with drug such as antidepressants, alcohol, antihistamines, sedative, pain relievers, anxiety medicine, and muscle relaxants.
Meclozine may be distributed into breast milk. However problems in human have not been documented. It may inhibit lactation due to is anti cholinergic effect therefore is not recommended for lactating women.
Comparison of Meclozine to other antiemetic is shown as below:-
