Marezine

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Marezine

Medically reviewed

Laura Arias

Last updated on 22/12/2025

This page provides general, reference-level information compiled from official medical sources. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. For decisions about your health, please consult a qualified healthcare professional.

Overview of Marezine

Marezine is the trade name for a medication containing the active ingredient Cyclizine, which is primarily used to prevent and alleviate feelings of motion-related sickness. It is fundamentally classified as an antiemetic, working against nausea and vomiting, and belongs to the wider pharmacological class of first-generation antihistamines.

Property Description
Active Ingredient Cyclizine Hydrochloride
Form Tablet, Capsule, Injectable Solution
Pharmacological Class Antihistamine, Antiemetic
General Purpose Relief of Nausea, Vomiting, and Dizziness
Origin Synthetic Organic Compound

What Type of Medicine is Marezine?

Marezine is classified as a first-generation antihistamine and is a piperazine derivative, a specific structure of synthetic organic compound. Unlike many modern antihistamines, its formulation as a first-generation agent allows it to target the central mechanisms that regulate balance and nausea signals. The medication has been approved for treating motion sickness and nausea, underscoring its established medical purpose.


What is Marezine's Composition and Form?

The main active substance in the medicine is Cyclizine Hydrochloride, the stable salt form of the Cyclizine base, and it is formulated as a monocomponent drug, relying on this single ingredient for its therapeutic effects. Marezine is available in several key dosage forms, including the common oral formulation as a tablet or capsule for oral intake. Crucially, it is also supplied as an injectable solution for parenteral formulation, which allows for its administration via an intramuscular route in scenarios where oral intake is not feasible.


How Does Marezine Generally Help?

Marezine generally helps by exerting a dual action: it acts as an H1-receptor antagonist to block histamine signals that stimulate the brain's vomiting center, and it possesses notable anticholinergic properties. The general benefit is the effective control and relief of nausea, vomiting, and dizziness arising from movement or disorders affecting balance, specifically by dampening the overactivity of the vestibular system.

Regulatory References

  1. NIH LiverTox entry for Cyclizine

What side effects are possible with Marezine?

Possible Side Effects and Safety Information

The safety profile of Marezine (Cyclizine) is officially documented by regulatory authorities, classifying possible adverse reactions by frequency and the physiological systems affected.

Official Adverse Reactions and Classification

Adverse effects are grouped into categories such as common (affecting 1% to 10% of individuals), rare (affecting less than 0.01% of individuals), and not known (frequency cannot be accurately estimated from available data).

Common reactions reported in official documents primarily involve the nervous and gastrointestinal systems, including drowsiness, dry mouth, headache, fatigue, and constipation.

Side effects are formally mapped to System-Organ Classes, which include Nervous System Disorders, Gastrointestinal Disorders, Cardiac Disorders, and Hepatobiliary Disorders.

Serious Adverse Reactions and Restrictions

Regulatory documentation lists low-frequency but clinically significant events such as anaphylaxis, convulsions, extrapyramidal motor disturbances, and severe hepatic dysfunction among possible adverse reactions.

Safety restrictions specify that caution is necessary for individuals with pre-existing conditions like glaucoma, urinary retention, and obstructive disease of the gastrointestinal tract. The medication is officially contraindicated in porphyria.

Specific dose-related patterns are noted, where effects such as auditory and visual hallucinations have been associated with exceeding recommended doses.

Population-specific safety notes advise caution for older adults due to potential decreases in organ function, and for pediatric patients where susceptibility to certain neurological effects may be increased.

Overdose and Emergency Response

Overdose and When to Seek Help

The official regulatory profile for Marezine (Cyclizine) overdose outlines severe effects primarily related to its impact on the Central Nervous System (CNS) and cardiovascular function, requiring immediate professional intervention.

Documented Manifestations and Severe Outcomes: Overdose may present with severe anticholinergic and neurological signs, including profound drowsiness, ataxia, disorientation, and hallucinations. Physiological signs documented in labeling include mydriasis (pupil dilation), hyperpyrexia (high fever), and tachycardia (rapid heart rate). These presentations may progress to severe, life-threatening outcomes such as generalized convulsions, respiratory depression, severe hypotension, and the potential for cardiac arrest.

Emergency Action and Management: Government guidance mandates that individuals seek immediate medical attention and contact a poison control center immediately upon suspicion of overdose. The regulatory documents specify that management is based on symptomatic and supportive treatment, as no specific antidote is known. Required procedural steps in a medical setting include supportive measures for circulation and respiration, and, when appropriate, gastric lavage and control of convulsions with standard parenteral therapy. Younger children are noted as a population having an increased susceptibility to severe effects, including a higher risk of convulsions and hallucinations.

Therapeutic Uses of Marezine

Main Uses of Marezine

Marezine, which contains the active ingredient cyclizine, is a medication primarily used to manage symptoms associated with motion sickness and various forms of nausea and vomiting. It belongs to the class of drugs known as first-generation antihistamines, specifically the piperazine derivatives.

Motion Sickness

The primary application of Marezine is the prevention and treatment of motion sickness. It is used to address the physical discomfort that occurs during travel by car, boat, train, or airplane. The medication helps manage the specific symptoms triggered by motion, including:

  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Dizziness and vertigo

Other Conditions

In addition to motion sickness, cyclizine may be utilized in clinical settings for the management of nausea and vomiting associated with other conditions. These may include:

  • Post-operative recovery: Managing nausea following surgical procedures and anesthesia.
  • Vestibular disorders: Helping to alleviate dizziness or vertigo caused by problems affecting the inner ear or balance system, such as Meniere's disease.

Benefits and Mechanism of Action

The benefit of Marezine lies in its ability to reduce the sensitivity of the inner ear to motion and to inhibit the signals in the brain that trigger the vomiting reflex.

Balancing the Inner Ear

By acting on the vestibular system (the body's balance center), the medication helps bridge the gap between what the eyes see and what the inner ear feels during movement. This stabilization is what prevents the onset of motion-induced illness.

Antiemetic Properties

As an antiemetic, Marezine works by blocking histamine receptors in the vomiting center of the brain. This action helps to suppress the urge to vomit and reduces the persistent feeling of queasiness, allowing individuals to maintain comfort during activities or recoveries that would otherwise be disrupted by gastric distress.

Regulatory References

  1. NIH MedlinePlus overview of Meclizine

Eligibility and Restrictions for Use

Marezine (Cyclizine) eligibility is strictly defined by regulatory authorities based on patient age and pre-existing medical conditions. Certain populations are absolutely prohibited from using the medicine, while others require conditional use with strict monitoring.

Absolute Contraindications

The medicine must not be used by individuals with a known hypersensitivity to Cyclizine or its excipients. Contraindications also include patients with the serious blood disorder Porphyria, or those in a state of acute alcohol intoxication. Use is prohibited in patients with severe heart failure or acute myocardial infarction. Specific hereditary metabolic disorders, such as lactase deficiency, disqualify a patient from using the oral tablet formulation.

Age and Conditional Use Restrictions

Regulatory documents state that the medicine is not recommended for children less than 6 years of age (oral tablets), and the injectable solution is generally not established for patients under 18 years. Use during pregnancy and breastfeeding is not advised due to insufficient definitive data. Conditional use requires caution and appropriate monitoring in patients with pre-existing conditions, including glaucoma, epilepsy, conditions that cause urinary retention (e.g., prostatic hypertrophy), obstructive disease of the gastrointestinal tract, and hepatic disease.

What should I know about interactions with other medicines?

Marezine Interactions with other medicines and products

The official regulatory profile for Marezine (Cyclizine) focuses primarily on pharmacodynamic interactions that result in additive effects when co-administered with other substances. This classification governs established restrictions for combined use.

Documented Pharmacodynamic Interactions

Co-administration with Central Nervous System (CNS) Depressants may result in additive effects, including enhanced sedation. This category includes medicines such as hypnotics, tranquillisers, anaesthetics, antipsychotics, and barbiturates. Regulatory documents specifically note that the soporific effect of Pethidine is enhanced when taken with Marezine.

Cyclizine’s anticholinergic properties contribute to an additive antimuscarinic action when combined with other anticholinergic drugs, including tricyclic antidepressants and Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOIs). Furthermore, the antiemetic action of cyclizine may mask the warning signs of damage associated with ototoxic drugs, such as aminoglycoside antibacterials.

Official Restrictions and Cautions

Use of Marezine is formally contraindicated in the presence of acute alcohol intoxication due to the risk that the antiemetic action may increase the toxicity of alcohol. Regarding specific populations, the regulatory profile advises caution and appropriate monitoring for patients with hepatic disease because of potential clearance considerations. It is also noted that elderly patients may be particularly sensitive to the anticholinergic effects of the medicine.

Mechanism of Action

How Marezine Works: Mechanism of Action


Dual Receptor Blockade in the Central Nervous System

Marezine (cyclizine) primarily works by acting as an antagonist on two critical neurotransmitter receptors in the brain: the Histamine H1 and the Muscarinic Cholinergic receptors. This dual molecular action suppresses the excitatory signals (histamine and acetylcholine) that converge upon the brain's emesis center, initiating a cascade that modulates the output signals from the central emesis center.


Suppression of Vestibular and CTZ Signaling Pathways

The drug's dual blockade leads to the targeted modulation of two key signaling pathways regulating the emesis reflex: the Vestibular-Autonomic Pathway (responsible for motion-related imbalance signals) and the Chemoreceptor Trigger Zone (CTZ) Pathway (responsible for sensing chemical stimuli in the blood). By inhibiting activity in these neural areas, cyclizine stabilizes the processing of balance signals and reduces the overall excitability of the emesis reflex, resulting in suppression of excessive physiological activity within the vomiting center and subsequent inhibition of the physiological emesis motor sequence.

Dosage and Administration Information

Marezine is available in oral and parenteral formulations. The medication is provided as a tablet for oral intake and as a solution for intramuscular (IM) or intravenous (IV) injection, providing flexibility in the route of administration.

The standard adult single dose is 50 mg, which may be repeated up to three times daily, maintaining an interval of approximately 6 to 8 hours between doses. The maximum daily dose for adults is 150 mg.

For the prevention of motion sickness, the first oral dose is taken prior to the event, typically 30 minutes to 2 hours before the anticipated start of travel. The medication can be administered with or without food.

Dosage rules are modified for pediatric patients; children between 6 and 12 years are prescribed a lower single oral dose of 25 mg, which should not exceed 75 mg in a 24-hour period. When the parenteral route is used, the intravenous solution is administered slowly, usually over three to five minutes, and may be diluted with appropriate intravenous fluids, such as 5% Glucose, to a concentration of 5 mg/mL to facilitate this slow rate of injection. If a regular dose is missed, the standard practice is skipping the missed dose and returning to the regular schedule if the next dose is due shortly, rather than taking a double dose. This structure ensures a standardized usage protocol.

Recent Clinical Evidence

Research evidence / Overview of studies for Marezine (Cyclizine)


Evidence for Use in Motion Sickness Prevention

Research exploring how symptoms change over time related to motion sickness primarily used Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs) in volunteers exposed to motion. Studies monitored outcomes related to physical discomfort, such as vomiting frequency and patient-reported nausea severity during acute, short-term exposures. Research describes patterns observed in these studies, but a key consideration is that the initial evidence base for this use has a long history. The available evidence for this application is generally categorized as Moderate.


Evidence for Nausea and Vomiting Related to Procedures

Clinical evidence for Marezine was evaluated in studies exploring short-term changes in nausea and vomiting related to procedures or specific pain medications. This evidence is derived from multiple RCTs, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses. Research examined outcomes related to physical discomfort, such as the number of vomiting episodes and the need for rescue medication, primarily in adult surgical patients. Studies report how symptoms evolved within the initial 24 hours post-procedure. The overall evidence for this application is labeled as High.


Research on Vertigo and Balance-Related Disturbances

Marezine was evaluated in research exploring its relationship to conditions characterized by fluctuating or episodic manifestations, such as vertigo and balance disorders. Research examined outcomes related to systemic or functional imbalance and monitored patient-reported discomfort during acute episodes. The evidence quality varies across studies for this application, meaning certainty remains low regarding its role in long-term management. Consequently, more research is ongoing to fully characterize its use. The evidence level is Moderate.


Research Gaps and Specific Populations

A consistent limitation across all uses is that the follow-up durations were limited, leaving long-term effects not fully established. For specific patient populations, dedicated data for certain groups, such as children under six or older adults, remain insufficient. When research examined specific groups of pediatric patients undergoing surgery, findings were mixed, indicating persistent uncertainty in these subgroups. The short follow-up durations across the majority of key trials mean that insights into long-term effects are not fully established.

Key Studies & References Australian Public Assessment Report for Cyclizine lactate (Regulatory Document on Evidence Age and Gaps)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Common questions about Marezine (FAQ)


Q: Can Marezine be taken for general nausea?

According to official product information, Marezine is indicated for more than just motion sickness. Its uses include managing nausea and vomiting associated with specific situations like post-operative procedures from general anaesthetics, radiotherapy, and inner ear problems. It is fundamentally classified as an antiemetic.


Q: Is Marezine safe for older adults (seniors)?

Regulatory documents state that older adults generally use the standard adult dosage. However, caution is noted for this population. Official safety notes advise careful use because older individuals may be more sensitive to the drug’s anticholinergic effects, and decreased organ function can affect how the body processes the medication.


Q: Are there different forms of Marezine available, like chewable tablets?

The official product information notes that Marezine (cyclizine) is generally formulated as an oral tablet, a capsule, and an injectable solution. These forms are listed as available, depending on the regulatory region and manufacturer.


Q: How long after taking Marezine can I take another dose (general information)?

Regulatory information indicates the dose for adults may be repeated, maintaining an interval of approximately 6 to 8 hours between doses. The maximum quantity permitted for adults over a 24-hour period is also specified in the official prescribing guidelines.


Q: Can Marezine cause blurred vision?

Yes, blurred vision is listed among the possible adverse reactions in the official regulatory documents. This is related to the medicine’s anticholinergic effects. The drug information advises caution if this effect is experienced.


Q: Why do people use Marezine for nausea unrelated to movement?

People use it in these cases because official therapeutic indications include the management of nausea and vomiting not just from motion, but also when associated with specific medical procedures. This includes post-operative nausea following general anaesthesia and nausea related to radiotherapy.


Q: Can Marezine be used if I am planning on being pregnant soon?

Official information indicates that the medicine does not have an effect on fertility for either men or women. However, use during confirmed pregnancy and breastfeeding is generally not advised due to insufficient definitive data concerning the developing fetus.


Q: What are the high-level themes of research into Marezine's effectiveness?

Research themes have focused on three main areas. These include evidence for preventing motion sickness, clinical trials for managing nausea and vomiting related to medical procedures, and studies investigating its effect on balance-related conditions like vertigo.


Q: Does Marezine affect heart rhythm?

Possible adverse reactions listed under the Cardiac Disorders system include events such as tachycardia (fast heart rate), palpitations, and arrhythmias (irregular heartbeat). The regulatory profile advises specific caution for patients with existing cardiac conditions.


Q: Are there any foods or drinks I should avoid when using Marezine?

Regulatory documents indicate that Marezine can be administered with or without food. Official product information does not list any specific food restrictions that must be avoided when taking this medication.


Q: Is Marezine available without a prescription?

Yes, in the United States, the active ingredient, cyclizine hydrochloride, is included in the FDA's Over-The-Counter (OTC) Monograph. This classification permits the drug to be marketed for its intended use without requiring a prescription.


Q: Is it possible to become dependent on Marezine if used often?

Official safety warnings note that there have been reports of misuse or abuse involving cyclizine, which is often related to its potential euphoric or hallucinatory effects when taken in excessive amounts. Official product information emphasizes adherence to dosage instructions to avoid misuse.


Q: Does Marezine affect blood pressure?

Possible adverse reactions listed in regulatory documents include changes in blood pressure, specifically reporting both high blood pressure (hypertension) and low blood pressure (hypotension). The regulatory profile notes caution for patients with pre-existing hypertension.


Q: Why is Marezine sometimes included in travel kits?

Marezine is commonly included in travel kits because its official indication is the prevention and treatment of motion sickness. This addresses a common health concern for individuals traveling by sea, air, or car.


Q: Can Marezine interfere with sleep or cause insomnia?

Official adverse reaction lists indicate that the medicine can potentially cause effects on both sides of the sleep spectrum. While drowsiness is a common effect, difficulty in sleeping (insomnia) is also listed among possible adverse reactions.


Q: Does Marezine work for car sickness as well as sea sickness?

Yes, the official indication for the medicine is the prevention and treatment of 'motion sickness.' This regulatory term broadly covers sickness that results from any type of movement, including travel by sea, air, or car.


Q: Can Marezine cause any stomach upset?

Adverse reactions reported in the gastrointestinal system include not only constipation but also feeling sick (nausea), being sick (vomiting), diarrhea, and stomach pain. It may cause various forms of gastrointestinal upset.


Q: Are there known interactions between Marezine and herbal supplements?

Regulatory guidance notes that patients are advised to consult a healthcare professional regarding all medications and supplements being taken, including herbal remedies. This consultation is advised because certain combinations may increase the risk or severity of potential side effects.


Q: Is it true that Marezine is an older medicine?

Official research overviews indicate that the initial evidence base for Marezine’s use in preventing motion sickness has a 'long history.' This suggests the drug has been in clinical use for an extended period.


Q: Does Marezine contain gluten or lactose?

The tablet formulation is noted in official documents to contain lactose. For this reason, patients with certain hereditary metabolic disorders related to sugars, such as lactase deficiency, should not take the tablet form. Information about gluten is generally not specified in the excipient list.


Q: Is Marezine considered a controlled substance?

No, cyclizine is not classified as a controlled medication by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). While misuse has been reported, it does not hold a scheduled classification.


Q: What is the purpose of the warning about taking Marezine before an allergy test?

The warning exists because the medicine is classified as an antihistamine. This class of drug works by blocking histamine responses, which can interfere with and suppress the results of allergy skin tests. Therefore, it may need to be stopped before testing.


Q: Is Marezine safe to take if I have asthma?

Official documentation advises that patients with a breathing problem, such as emphysema or chronic bronchitis, should seek advice from a healthcare professional before use. This is due to the drug's anticholinergic properties, which may potentially affect bronchial secretions.

How should Marezine be stored and disposed of?

How to Store and Dispose of Marezine?

The storage and disposal procedures for Marezine (Cyclizine Hydrochloride) are defined by official regulatory documentation to ensure product stability and safety.

Storage Conditions

Marezine must be stored at a temperature of 25 C or below to maintain its effectiveness. Oral formulations, such as tablets, must be kept in their original outer carton to provide protection from light.

Child-Safety and Handling

It is a mandatory requirement that this medication be stored where it is out of the sight and reach of children to prevent accidental ingestion. The product's stability is reliant upon adherence to the specified temperature range.

Disposal Instructions

To comply with environmental protection rules, unused or expired Marezine must not be disposed of in household trash or poured down the drain (wastewater). Disposal must instead be carried out in accordance with local regulations, which typically involves returning the unused medication to a pharmacist or designated collection point.

Attention! Always consult to a doctor or pharmacist before using pills or medicines.

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