Cyclizine hydrochloride 50 mg Tablets

Cyclizine Tablets are indicated in adults and in children aged 6 years and over for the prevention and treatment of nausea and vomiting including: -

• Motion sickness.

• Nausea and vomiting caused by narcotic analgesics and by general anaesthetics in the post-operative period.

• Vomiting associated with radiotherapy, especially for breast cancer since cyclizine does not elevate prolactin levels.

Cyclizine Tablets may be of value in relieving vomiting and attacks of vertigo associated with Meniere's disease and other forms of vestibular disturbance.

Posology

To prevent motion sickness Cyclizine Tablets should be taken about one to two hours before departure.

Elderly

There have been no specific studies of Cyclizine Tablets in the elderly. Experience has indicated that normal adult dosage is appropriate.

Paediatric population

Children less than 6 years of age:

Cyclizine Tablets are not recommended for children less than 6 years of age.

Children 6 to 12 years of age:

25 mg orally, which may be repeated up to three times a day.

Children over 12 years of age:

50 mg orally, which may be repeated up to three times a day.

Adults

50 mg orally, which may be repeated up to three times a day.

Method of administration:

Oral.

Hypersensitivity to the active substance or to any of the excipients listed in section 6.1.

Cyclizine is contraindicated in the presence of acute alcohol intoxication. The anti-emetic properties of cyclizine may increase the toxicity of alcohol.

As with other anticholinergic agents, Cyclizine Tablets may precipitate incipient glaucoma and it should be used with caution and appropriate monitoring in patients with glaucoma, urinary retention, obstructive disease of the gastrointestinal tract, hepatic disease, phaeochromocytoma, hypertension, epilepsy and in males with possible prostatic hypertrophy.

Cyclizine should be used with caution in patients with severe heart failure or acute myocardial infarction. In such patients, cyclizine may cause a fall in cardiac output associated with increases in heart rate, mean arterial pressure and pulmonary wedge pressure.

Cyclizine should be avoided in porphyria.

There have been reports of abuse of cyclizine, either oral or intravenous, for its euphoric or hallucinatory effects. The concomitant misuse of Cyclizine Tablets with large amounts of alcohol is particularly dangerous, since the antiemetic effect of cyclizine may increase the toxicity of alcohol (see also sections 4.3 and 4.5).

Excipients

Patients with rare hereditary problems of galactose intolerance, the total lactase deficiency or glucose-galactose malabsorption should not take this medicine.

This medicine contains less than 1 mmol sodium (23 mg) per tablet, that is to say essentially 'sodium-free'.

Cyclizine Tablets may have additive effects with alcohol and other central nervous system depressants e.g. hypnotics, tranquillisers, anaesthetics, antipsychotics, barbiturates.

Cyclizine Tablets enhances the soporific effect of pethidine.

Cyclizine Tablets may counteract the haemodynamic benefits of opioid analgesics.

Because of its anticholinergic activity cyclizine may enhance the side-effects of other anticholinergic drugs, and have an additive antimuscarinic action with other antimuscarinic drugs, such as atropine and some antidepressants (both tricyclics and MAOIs).

Cyclizine Tablets may mask the warning signs of damage caused by ototoxic drugs such as aminoglycoside antibacterials.

Pregnancy

In the absence of any definitive human data, the use of Cyclizine Tablets in pregnancy is not advised.

Breast-feeding

Cyclizine is excreted in human milk; however, the amount has not been quantified.

Fertility

In a study involving prolonged administration of cyclizine to male and female rats, there was no evidence of impaired fertility after continuous treatment for 90-100 days at dose levels of approximately 15 and 25 mg/kg/day. There is no experience of the effect of Cyclizine Tablets on human fertility.

Studies designed to detect drowsiness did not reveal sedation in healthy adults who took a single oral therapeutic dose (50 mg) of cyclizine.

Patients should not drive or operate machinery until they have determined their own response.

Although there are no data available, patients should be cautioned that Cyclizine Tablets may have additive effects with alcohol and other central nervous system depressants, e.g. hypnotics and tranquillisers.

Blood and lymphatic system disorders

Agranulocytosis, leucopenia, haemolytic anaemia, thrombocytopenia.

Cardiac disorders

Tachycardia, palpitations, arrhythmias.

Eye disorders

Blurred vision, oculogyric crisis.

Gastrointestinal disorders

Dryness of the mouth, nose and throat, constipation, increased gastric reflux.

Nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea stomach pain.

Loss of appetite.

General disorders and administration site conditions

Asthenia.

Hepatobiliary disorders

Hepatic dysfunction, hypersensitivity hepatitis, cholestatic jaundice and cholestatic hepatitis have occurred in association with cyclizine.

Immune system disorders

Hypersensitivity reactions, including anaphylaxis have occurred.

Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders

Twitching, muscle spasms.

Nervous system disorders

Effects on the central nervous system have been reported with cyclizine these include restless leg syndrome, somnolence, drowsiness, incoordination, headache, dystonia, dyskinesia, extrapyramidal motor disturbances, tremor, convulsions, dizziness, decreased consciousness, transient speech disorders, paraesthesia and generalised chorea.

Ear and labyrinth disorders

Tinnitus.

Psychiatric disorders

Disorientation, restlessness, nervousness, euphoria, insomnia and auditory and visual hallucinations have been reported, particularly when dosage recommendations have been exceeded.

Renal and urinary disorders

Urinary retention.

Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders

Bronchospasm, apnoea.

Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders

Urticaria, drug rash, angioedema, allergic skin reactions, fixed drug eruption, photosensitivity.

Vascular disorders

Hypertension, hypotension.

Reporting of suspected adverse reactions

Reporting suspected adverse reactions after authorisation of the medicinal product is important. It allows continued monitoring of the benefit/risk balance of the medicinal product. Healthcare professionals are asked to report any suspected adverse reactions via the Yellow Card Scheme, website: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store.

Symptoms:

Symptoms of acute toxicity from cyclizine arise from peripheral anticholinergic effects and effects on the central nervous system.

Peripheral anticholinergic symptoms include dry mouth, nose and throat, blurred vision, tachycardia and urinary retention. Central nervous system effects include drowsiness, dizziness, incoordination, ataxia, weakness, hyperexcitability, disorientation, impaired judgement, hallucinations, hyperkinesia, extrapyramidal motor disturbances, convulsions, hyperpyrexia and respiratory depression.

An oral dose of 5 mg/kg is likely to be associated with at least one of the clinical symptoms stated above. Younger children are more susceptible to convulsions. The incidence of convulsions, in children less than 5 years, is about 60% when the oral dose ingested exceeds 40 mg/kg.

Management:

In the management of acute overdosage with Cyclizine Tablets, gastric lavage and supportive measures for respiration and circulation should be performed if necessary. Convulsions should be controlled in the usual way with parenteral anticonvulsant therapy.

ATC Code: R60AE03

Pharmacotherapeutic Group: Piperazine derivatives

Mechanism of action:

Cyclizine is a histamine H₁ receptor antagonist of the piperazine class which is characterised by a low incidence of drowsiness. It possesses anticholinergic and antiemetic properties. The exact mechanism by which cyclizine can prevent or suppress both nausea and vomiting from various causes is unknown. Cyclizine increases lower oesophageal sphincter tone and reduces the sensitivity of the labyrinthine apparatus. It may inhibit the part of the midbrain known collectively as the emetic centre.

Pharmacodynamic effects:

Cyclizine produces its antiemetic effect within two hours and last approximately four hours.

H1-blockers are well absorbed from the GI tract. Following oral administration effects develop within 30 minutes, are maximal within 1-2 hours and last, for cyclizine, for 4-6 hours.

In healthy adult volunteers the administration of a single oral dose of 50 mg cyclizine resulted in a peak plasma concentration of approximately 70 ng/mL occurring at about two hours after drug administration. The plasma elimination half-life was approximately 20 hours.

The N-demethylated derivative, norcyclizine, has been identified as a metabolite of cyclizine. Norcyclizine has little antihistaminic (H1) activity compared to cyclizine. It is widely distributed throughout the tissues and has a plasma elimination half-life of approximately 20 hours.

After a single dose of 50 mg cyclizine given to a single adult male volunteer, urine collected over the following 24 hours contained less than 1% of the total dose administered.

A. Mutagenicity:

Cyclizine was not mutagenic in a full Ames test, including use of S9-microsomes but can nitrosate in vitro to form mutagenic products.

B. Carcinogenicity:

No long term studies have been conducted in animals to determine whether cyclizine has a potential for carcinogenesis. However, long-term studies with cyclizine administered with nitrate have indicated no carcinogenicity.

C. Teratogenicity:

Some animal studies are interpreted as indicating that cyclizine may be teratogenic. The relevance of these studies to the human situation is not known.

D. Fertility:

In a study involving prolonged administration of cyclizine to male and female rats there was no evidence of impaired fertility after continuous treatment for 90-100 days. There is no experience of the effect of Cyclizine Tablets on human fertility.

Lactose Monohydrate

Maize Starch

Sodium Starch Glycolate

Povidone

Colloidal Anhydrous Silica

Magnesium Stearate

None known.

30 months.

Keep the blisters in the outer carton in order to protect from light.

PVC with aluminium foil blister

Pack size: 30, 100 tablets.

No special requirements