Details

Buclizine is a piperazine-derivative antihistamine used as an antivertigo/antiemetic agent. Buclizine is used in the prevention and treatment of nausea, vomiting, and dizziness associated with motion sickness. Additionally, it has been used in the management of vertigo in diseases affecting the vestibular apparatus. Although the mechanism by which buclizine exerts its antiemetic and antivertigo effects has not been fully elucidated, its central anticholinergic properties are partially responsible. The drug depresses labyrinth excitability and vestibular stimulation, and it may affect the medullary chemoreceptor trigger zone. It also possesses anticholinergic, antihistaminic, central nervous system depressant, and local anaesthetic effects.

Typical Uses

Buclizine is a piperazine-derivative antihistamine used as an antivertigo/antiemetic agent. Buclizine is used in the prevention and treatment of nausea, vomiting, and dizziness associated with motion sickness. Additionally, it has been used in the management of vertigo in diseases affecting the vestibular apparatus. Although the mechanism by which buclizine exerts its antiemetic and antivertigo effects has not been fully elucidated, its central anticholinergic properties are partially responsible. The drug depresses labyrinth excitability and vestibular stimulation, and it may affect the medullary chemoreceptor trigger zone. It also possesses anticholinergic, antihistaminic, central nervous system depressant, and local anaesthetic effects.

Side Effects

Buclizine may cause certain side effects including drowsiness, dizziness, incoordination and headache, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain and diarrhoea, blurred vision, urinary retention, dry mouth, rash and weight gain.

Drug Interactions

Buclizine may interact with alcohol or other CNS depressants (may potentiate the CNS depressant effects of either these medications or antihistamines), anticholinergics or other medications with anticholinergic activity (anticholinergic effects may be potentiated when these medications are used concurrently with antihistamines), and monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors (concurrent use with antihistamines may prolong and intensify the anticholinergic and CNS depressant effects of antihistamines).

Mechanism of action

When you are exposed to an allergen - something you are allergic to - your body reacts by producing chemical called histamine. Histamine causes the symptoms that we associate with allergy. Buclizine is an antihistamine, meaning that it counteracts the action of histamine to help relieve you of the symptoms of allergy. Buclizine can also be used to prevent nausea. It blocks histamine receptors in an area of the brain known as the vomiting centre, effectively blocking nerve signals that would otherwise cause nausea.

Pregnancy Category : C