Marazine

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Marazine

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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 Marazine

What is Marazine?

Marazine is a medication containing the active substance cyclizine hydrochloride. It belongs to a group of medicines known as antihistamines, specifically piperazine derivatives. Unlike many other antihistamines primarily used for allergy relief, this substance is used for its specific effects on the vestibular system and the brain's vomiting center.

Mechanism of Action

The medication works by blocking histamine receptors in the body. By interfering with these signals, it helps to reduce the sensitivity of the inner ear and the nerves associated with balance. It also acts on the part of the brain responsible for the sensation of nausea and the physical trigger of vomiting.

Primary Uses

Marazine is used to manage symptoms related to balance disorders and motion sensitivity. Its primary applications include:

  • Motion Sickness: Prevention and treatment of nausea and dizziness caused by travel by car, sea, or air.
  • Nausea and Vomiting: Management of feeling sick or being sick associated with various conditions or treatments.
  • Vestibular Disorders: Relief of symptoms such as vertigo or dizziness linked to problems affecting the inner ear.

How it is Available

Marazine is typically available in tablet form for oral administration. It is used in both adults and children, though the suitability depends on the specific age and weight of the individual. As an antihistamine with sedative properties, it may cause drowsiness in some users.

Regulatory References

  1. Cyclizine - LiverTox
  2. WHO Model List of Essential Medicines
  3. Cyclizine on WHO Electronic Essential Medicines List (eEML)

What side effects are possible with Marazine?

Possible Side Effects and Safety Information

The safety profile of Marazine (Cyclizine) is officially documented according to regulatory standards, classifying adverse reactions by frequency and physiological system. The most commonly reported effects align with its action as a first-generation antihistamine, primarily impacting the Central Nervous System (CNS) and autonomic functions.

Adverse Reactions Classified by Frequency

Classification Examples of Documented Effects
Common Drowsiness (Somnolence), Dry mouth, Headache, Constipation, Blurred vision
Frequency Not Known Tachycardia, Palpitations, Urinary retention, Hallucinations, Confusion, Hepatic dysfunction, Blood disorders

The official documentation lists effects across multiple System-Organ Classes (SOCs), including Nervous System Disorders, Psychiatric Disorders, Gastrointestinal Disorders, and Hepatobiliary Disorders.

Serious Adverse Reactions and Safety Constraints

Rare, but documented, serious adverse reactions include acute Hypersensitivity Reactions (such as anaphylaxis), various forms of Hepatic Dysfunction (e.g., cholestatic jaundice), and certain Blood Disorders (e.g., agranulocytosis).

Specific cautions are noted in the official prescribing information for certain patients. Due to anticholinergic effects, caution is advised for individuals with pre-existing conditions like angle-closure glaucoma, prostatic hypertrophy, and urinary retention. Co-administration with other CNS depressants, including alcohol, may result in increased CNS depression. The occurrence of severe psychiatric effects, such as hallucinations and disorientation, is specifically noted in regulatory safety data to be associated with instances where the dosage recommendations have been exceeded.

Overdose and Emergency Response

Overdose Scope: Official Regulatory Information

Domain Regulatory Statement
Documented Overdose Presentations Symptoms arise from central nervous system (CNS) effects and peripheral anticholinergic activity. Manifestations may include extreme drowsiness, agitation, disorientation, auditory and visual hallucinations, and peripheral signs such as tachycardia and blurred vision [Source 1.1, 1.5].
Physiological Systems Affected Severe effects are documented in the CNS, Cardiovascular system (arrhythmias), and Respiratory system (respiratory depression, apnoea) [Source 1.5].
Dose-Related Factors Official labeling notes that younger children are more susceptible to severe outcomes, with convulsions being observed in children under 5 years of age after high doses [Source 1.5].

Required Emergency Response

Classification Regulatory Statement
Severity Classification Overdose may result in life-threatening outcomes, including convulsions and respiratory depression [Source 1.1, 1.5].
When Immediate Medical Help is Required Seek immediate medical attention by calling the Poison Help line or going to the emergency room [Source 1.1, 3.4]. Contact the nearest hospital emergency department immediately if hallucinations, fits (convulsions), or loss of consciousness are observed [Source 1.5, 3.4].
Supportive Management Measures Management is primarily supportive; procedural steps include administering supportive measures for respiration and circulation as necessary, and controlling convulsions with parenteral anticonvulsant therapy [Source 1.5].

The official overdose profile is defined by a progression from recognizable CNS and anticholinergic effects to life-threatening events, clearly linking the onset of severe symptoms (e.g., seizures, apnoea, loss of consciousness) to a mandatory requirement for immediate medical attention [Source 1.1, 1.5]. This guidance explicitly directs individuals to contact emergency services for rapid initiation of regulator-defined supportive care, such as cardiac monitoring and respiratory support [Source 1.5].

Therapeutic Uses of Marazine

What Marazine Treats: Main Uses and Benefits

Marazine is a medication primarily relevant for managing sickness, and its therapeutic benefit is centered on managing and preventing disruptive symptoms related to the stomach and the inner ear. It is commonly used to help with symptoms related to physical discomfort, such as nausea and vomiting, and to treat motion sickness, vertigo, and sickness caused by other factors like general anesthetics or inner ear problems.

Symptom Relief and Contexts of Use

Marazine is relevant for managing symptom clusters associated with Gastrointestinal Sickness and Vestibular Disorientation, which includes nausea, vomiting, vertigo (spinning), and dizziness. It is applied across domains where short-term symptomatic assistance is appropriate, such as in situations where supportive symptom management for sickness during travel is appropriate, applied in addressing postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV), and relevant for easing heightened symptoms in conditions like Ménière's disease. The medication is commonly used to help with conditions characterized by episodic or fluctuating symptom patterns.

“It is applied during phases where symptoms intensify, offering symptomatic relief that may help patients cope more steadily with difficult episodes.”

By addressing these acute manifestations, Marazine contributes to easing the overall symptom load and helps maintain a sense of stability when symptoms become more noticeable, providing supportive relief when symptoms interfere with routine activities.

Quick Fact: Relief for Acute Sickness
Symptom relief focus Nausea, Vomiting, Vertigo, Dizziness
Therapeutic contexts Motion sickness, Postoperative distress, Vestibular disturbances
Core patient benefit Contributes to easing the overall symptom load and helps maintain functional stability

Eligibility and Restrictions for Use

Official Regulatory Eligibility for Marazine (Cyclizine)

Marazine (Cyclizine) eligibility is determined by specific population rules established in official regulatory documents. Use is generally permitted for Adults and Children aged 6 years and over.

Absolute Non-Eligibility (Contraindications)

Marazine must not be used by individuals with known hypersensitivity to Cyclizine or any excipients, those in the presence of acute alcohol intoxication, or patients with a history of porphyria.

Age and Physiological Restrictions

Use is not recommended for children less than 6 years of age. Use is also not advised during pregnancy and is not recommended for women who are breastfeeding as Cyclizine is excreted in human milk.

Conditions Requiring Caution

Regulatory documents state that Marazine must be used with caution in patients who have specific comorbidities, primarily due to potential anticholinergic effects. These include patients with:

  • Glaucoma or conditions that may lead to urinary retention (such as prostatic hypertrophy).
  • Severe heart failure or acute myocardial infarction.
  • Obstructive disease of the gastrointestinal tract and hepatic disease (liver problems).

What should I know about interactions with other medicines?

Interactions with other medicines and products

The regulatory interaction profile for Marazine (Cyclizine) is structured around documented additive effects and specific prohibitions, focusing strictly on pharmacodynamic outcomes. This information is derived from official government labeling, such as the Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC) and other national drug monographs.

Marazine is contraindicated in the presence of acute alcohol intoxication due to the potential for severely enhanced central nervous system (CNS) depression.

Pharmacodynamic and Effect-Masking Interactions

Interaction Type Interacting Substances (Examples) Official Regulatory Statement
Additive CNS Depression Hypnotics, Tranquillisers, Barbiturates, Anaesthetics, Antipsychotics, Pethidine Co-administration may result in an increase in CNS depressive effects. Pethidine's sedating effect is enhanced.
Reinforced Anticholinergic Activity Atropine, Tricyclic Antidepressants, MAOIs Risk of enhanced antimuscarinic side effects, such as urinary retention or dry mouth.
Effect Masking Ototoxic Drugs (e.g., Aminoglycoside Antibacterials) The anti-emetic property may conceal the initial warning signs of damage caused by these drugs.

Official documents state that the anti-emetic action may also increase the toxicity of general alcohol consumption. Furthermore, co-administration with Opioid Analgesics is noted to potentially counteract the haemodynamic benefits of the analgesic.

Mechanism of Action

Modulation of Central Receptor Systems

Marazine (Cyclizine) functions as a competitive antagonist primarily at two receptor populations in the central nervous system: Histamine H1 Receptors (HRH1) and Muscarinic Acetylcholine Receptors ( M1). This dual molecular blockade modifies the transmission of both histamine and acetylcholine within the brainstem's control centers. Antagonism occurs when the cyclizine molecule occupies the receptor site, physically preventing endogenous neurotransmitters from binding and initiating their characteristic signaling sequences.


Dampening the Emetic and Vestibular Pathways

The engagement of HRH1 suppresses signaling from the Chemoreceptor Trigger Zone (CTZ), while M1 antagonism reduces the neural input originating from the vestibular system. This cascade limits the convergence of activating signals upon the Vomiting Center ( VC) in the medulla. The physiological consequence of interrupting these afferent pathways is the suppression of the involuntary reflex arc associated with central emetic and motion-related stimuli.

Dosage and Administration Information

Marazine (Cyclizine) is administered according to specific procedural instructions and dosing guidelines established for its approved pharmaceutical forms: the oral tablet (50 mg strength) and the injectable solution (50 mg/ml concentration).


Administration Routes and Dosing

The medication is administered via the oral route, intramuscular (IM), or intravenous (IV) injection. The standardized adult dose for all routes is 50 mg, which may be repeated up to three times daily. Doses must be separated by a minimum of approximately eight hours to maintain the maximum daily limit.

For prophylaxis, such as for motion sickness, the oral dose should be taken one to two hours before departure. The tablets may be taken with or without food.


Population-Specific Rules

Prescribing information provides distinct rules for younger patients:

  • Children aged 6 to 12 years should receive an oral dose of 25 mg, which is half the standard adult tablet. This dose can be repeated up to three times daily.
  • The oral tablets are not recommended for use in children under the age of six years.
  • Older adults are generally prescribed the normal adult dosage; no specific dose reduction is mandated based on standard experience.

Parenteral Administration Technique

When the medication is administered intravenously, the injection must be given slowly over a duration of at least three to five minutes. The injectable solution may be diluted with standard intravenous fluids to help ensure proper, slow delivery.

Recent Clinical Evidence

Research Evidence / Overview of Studies for Marazine (Cyclizine)

The available research for Marazine focuses on its evaluation, which included studies exploring how symptoms change over time, particularly those related to physical discomfort. The evidence base comes from established clinical trials and observational studies reported in authoritative scientific literature.


Evidence for Use in Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting (PONV)

Clinical evaluation has included Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs) and Systematic Reviews focusing on outcomes related to physical discomfort following surgery. Research has examined the medicine in studies exploring short-term symptom changes after patients received anesthesia. These studies monitored outcomes describing episodic changes, such as the frequency of vomiting and the need for rescue anti-sickness medicines. The findings describe patterns observed in studies where Marazine was compared against a placebo in the short-term recovery setting. The research primarily included Adults, though findings for children were reported as mixed or inconsistent across trials.


Evidence for Use in Motion Sickness and Vertigo

Research explored Marazine in the context of conditions characterized by fluctuating or episodic manifestations, such as those related to travel or inner ear disturbances (vertigo). The evidence base relies on older pharmacological studies and general clinical use reports, which were relevant to the initial clinical evaluation. Studies explored the outcomes related to systemic imbalance, such as the change in symptoms of dizziness. The consistency of evidence varies across studies, and there is an absence of recent, large-scale, controlled trials for these specific contexts that align with current regulatory standards.


Research Gaps and Areas of Uncertainty

The evidence landscape highlights limitations, including that many results apply only to the populations studied in the trials. The core evidence for some uses is historical, meaning the data for certain groups remain insufficient when assessed against modern research protocols. Follow-up durations were limited in acute trials, meaning there is limited information regarding outcomes over extended time periods. Comparative evidence involving certain complex or special patient groups, such as the elderly population, remains sparse.

Key Studies & References Clinical Use of Cyclizine: A Systematic Review of Anti-emetic Agents in Palliative Care

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Common questions about Marazine (FAQ)

Q: Is Marazine an antibiotic?

A: Marazine is generally not classified as an antibiotic. It belongs to a class of medications known as antihistamines and is primarily indicated for managing symptoms such as allergies, motion sickness, and anxiety. The mechanism of action is distinct from medications used to treat bacterial infections.


Q: How long does it take for Marazine to work?

A: The onset of action for Marazine may be noticeable relatively quickly. However, the exact timing can vary among individuals based on the condition being treated and the specific formulation used. Patients should follow the general guidance provided in the official product information regarding expected effects.


Q: Can I stop taking Marazine once my symptoms improve?

A: Discontinuing any medication, even if symptoms have improved, should only be done after consulting with a healthcare professional. For certain uses, stopping abruptly may lead to the recurrence of symptoms or require specific guidance to gradually reduce the dose. Always follow the advice of the prescriber.


Q: Does Marazine cause weight gain?

A: Changes in weight are sometimes reported as a possible effect associated with medications of this type. If you have concerns about weight changes while using Marazine, it is best to discuss them with your healthcare provider. They can assess your individual situation and provide appropriate management strategies.


Q: What should I do if I miss a dose?

A: The official product information generally provides instructions for missed doses. If you realize you have missed a dose, you should follow the specific directions provided by your prescriber or the product label. It is often advised to take the missed dose as soon as you remember unless it is nearly time for the next scheduled dose. Never take two doses together to make up for a missed one.

How should Marazine be stored and disposed of?

How to Store and Dispose of Marazine

Marazine (cyclizine hydrochloride) must be stored at Controlled Room Temperature, defined as 20 C to 25 C (68 F to 77 F), with permitted brief excursions up to 30 C. The medication must be kept in a tight container and should remain tightly closed to maintain product integrity.

Handling and Safety

The injectable solution requires specific protection from light and protection from freezing; if the injectable solution freezes, it must be discarded. It is a mandatory requirement to keep Marazine out of the sight and reach of children at all times.

Disposal

Unused or expired Marazine must be disposed of according to local regulations. Do not dispose of the medicine by flushing it down the toilet or pouring it down a drain unless specifically advised to do so by a regulatory authority.

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

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