Cyclizine

Cyclizine is a type of medicine known as an antihistamine and also works as an antiemetic, which means it helps prevent nausea and vomiting. It's approved for treating nausea, but it's also used off-label to help with morning sickness during early pregnancy.

Morning sickness is quite common during the early part of pregnancy. It's estimated that about 70-80% of pregnant women experience nausea or vomiting. This can be due to various factors, such as hormonal changes, including higher levels of hCG, the pregnancy hormone, which can lead to feeling unwell. While morning sickness is generally normal, severe nausea and vomiting can be harmful to both you and your baby.

Cyclizine works by blocking the signals to the part of the brain that controls vomiting, helping to ease nausea and reduce the chance of being sick.

Cyclizine is a medication used to help with nausea and vomiting. It works as an antihistamine, which helps stop the feeling of being sick. Histamine is a chemical that can cause allergic reactions and hives, but it also plays a key role in controlling the part of your brain responsible for nausea.

When too much histamine attaches to its H1 receptors, it can cause nausea. Cyclizine helps by attaching to these receptors and stopping the histamine signals. This reduces nausea, helping you feel better.

Additionally, your inner ear plays a key role in keeping your balance and movement steady. It has H1 receptors, and when too much histamine attaches to these receptors, it can upset your balance, making you feel dizzy and unwell. This can also lead to feelings of nausea.

Nausea and vomiting can be quite complicated, so Cyclizine will only work for you if your sickness is mainly due to high histamine levels.

Like all medications, Cyclizine can cause side effects in some individuals. The patient information leaflet doesn't provide details on how often these side effects occur, but some of them are:

If you notice any of these side effects, let your clinician or doctor know.

Prochlorperazine is another medication used to treat morning sickness. It functions in a similar way to Cyclizine by targeting the part of the brain responsible for vomiting. Dopamine signals in the brain can cause nausea and vomiting, and Prochlorperazine helps to prevent these sensations by controlling dopamine release.

Cyclizine and Prochlorperazine aren't officially approved for morning sickness, but they can be effective in treating it.

You don't need a prescription to buy Cyclizine, but since it's a pharmacy medication, you can only get it from a pharmacy. Cyclizine is safe for treating morning sickness in pregnant women, but it's best to inform your doctor before using it.

At Treated, our clinician will assist you in determining if Cyclizine is right for you. Simply answer a few questions about your health, and they'll guide you in making an informed choice.