Nausicalm Injection (cyclizine)

Nausicalm Injection general information

What is Nausicalm Injection used for?

Nausicalm Injection 50mg is an anti-emetic used to treat and prevent nausea and vomiting caused by a range of clinical situations including motion sickness, following surgery to prevent post-operative vomiting due to anaesthetics and narcotic analgesics, vertigo (giddiness/dizziness) associated with middle ear problems, including Meniere's disease, and nausea and vomiting associated with radiation treatment for cancer, especially breast cancer.  Intravenous Nausicalm is also used pre-operatively to prevent regurgitation and aspiration of stomach contents before emergency surgery under general anaesthesia.  Nausicalm Injection is particularly helpful when it is not possible to swallow tablets.

How does Nausicalm Injection work?

Nausicalm Injection contains cyclizine 50mg, an antiemetic and piperazine derivative antihistamine with H1-receptor antagonist properties; also antimuscarinic and anticholinergic activity, but is it non-sedating as it does not cross the blood brain barrier.  Cyclizine in Nausicalm Injection 50mg binds to the H1 histamine receptor found on smooth muscle cells and on the vascular endothelial cells lining blood vessels; it is also found in the central nervous system.  It is not clear how cyclizine in Nausicalm Injection exerts its antiemetic effect through blocking the H1 receptor, as it is a week antihistamine, however, it is thought to increase lower oesophageal sphincter tone and reduces the sensitivity of the labyrinthine apparatus in the middle ear, which may contribute to reducing nausea.  Cyclizine in Nausicalm injection 50mg also binds to muscarinic receptors, which are receptors for acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter that acts in the brain and central nervous system.  Nausea and vomiting are triggered when the chemoreceptor trigger zone (CTZ) in the brain is stimulated and this causes nerve impulses to be sent to area postrema or vomiting centre of the brain, to induce the vomiting reflex. The CTZ can be activated by two mechanisms; either indirectly by transmission of nerve impulses sent to the brain from the stomach when it has been irritated, or directly by chemicals or drugs that are circulating in the blood and stimulate receptors in the brain.  Cyclizine in Nausicalm injection 50mg is thought to act by blocking the muscarinic receptors in brainstem areas regulating emesis (vomiting), thereby blocking transmission of nerve messages to the vomiting centre in the brain.  H1 receptors are also found in the stomach and the CZT and may also be involved in blocking emesis.  The combined actions of Cyclizine in Nausicalm injection 50mg prevents vomiting and relieves feelings of nausea due to a variety of causes.  Nausicalm injection 50mg is fast acting providing relief within two hours and lasts for up to four hours.  

What does Nausicalm Injection contain?

Nausicalm Injection contains the active ingredient cyclizine lactate 50mg used to treat and prevent nausea and vomiting due to various clinical conditions.  It is supplied in a 1 ml single-dose ampoule in clear solution with water for injection. 

Treating nausea with Nausicalm Injection

Nausicalm Injection 50mg contains cyclizine, an antiemetic and antihistamine with H1-receptor antagonist properties; also antimuscarinic and anticholinergic activity, but it is non-sedating as it does not cross the blood brain barrier.  Nausicalm Injection 50mg is used as an anti-emetic used to treat and prevent nausea and vomiting caused by a range of clinical situations including motion sickness, following surgery to prevent post-operative vomiting due to anaesthetics and narcotic analgesics, vertigo (giddiness/dizziness) associated with middle ear problems, including Meniere's disease, and nausea and vomiting associated with radiation treatment for cancer.  It is also used pre-operatively to prevent regurgitation and aspiration of stomach contents before emergency surgery under general anaesthesia.  Nausicalm Injection is particularly helpful when it is not possible to swallow tablets.  Cyclizine in Nausicalm injection 50mg is thought to have several mechanisms of action, including increasing lower oesophageal sphincter tone and reducing the sensitivity of the labyrinthine apparatus in the middle ear, which may contribute to reducing nausea.  Cyclizine in Nausicalm injection 50mg is also thought to act directly on the vomiting centre of the brain by blocking the receptors for neurotransmitters that stimulate the vomiting reflex. 

What are the side effects of Nausicalm Injection?

The most commonly reported side effects when taking Nausicalm Injection include, blurred vision, oculogyric crisis (involuntary eye movement), tachycardia (rapid heartbeat) palpitations, arrhythmias, redness an irritation at the injection site, dryness of the mouth, nose and throat, constipation, increased gastric reflux, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, stomach pain, loss of appetite, urinary retention, twitching, muscle spasms, somnolence, headache, dystonia, dyskinesia (involuntary movements), extrapyramindal motor disturbances, tremor, convulsions, dizziness, decreased consciousness, transient speech disorders, paraesthesia, dyskinesia, disorientation, agitation, breathing problems (bronchospasm, apnoea), skin reactions (urticaria, drug rash, angioedema), hypertension, hypotension.

When should Nausicalm Injection not be used?

You should not use Nausicalm Injection 50mg if you:

• are allergic to cyclizine or any ingredients in Nausicalm Injection
• are pregnant or are breastfeeding
• have kidney or liver disease
• have glaucoma, intestinal obstruction, epilepsy or prostate disease
• have severe heart failure
• are taking medicines that interact with Nausicalm Injection, including alcohol and other central nervous system depressants such as hypnotics, tranquillisers, anaesthetics, antipsychotics, barbiturates, pethidine; aminoglycoside antibacterials, other anticholinergics for treating urinary incontinence, irritable bowel syndrome and Parkinson's disease

What medications interact with Nausicalm Injection?

Several medications interact with Nausicalm Injection and should either not be taken while you are taking Nausicalm Injection or only after discussion and instruction from your doctor:

• Drugs that cause a serious reaction with Nausicalm Injection: other anticholinergics for treating urinary incontinence, irritable bowel syndrome and Parkinson's disease due to enhanced side effects; aminoglycoside antibacterials by masking toxic effects on the ear
• Drugs that are affected by Nausicalm Injection: pethidine, alcohol and other central nervous system depressants such as hypnotics, tranquillisers, anaesthetics, antipsychotics, barbiturates due to an additive effect

How should Nausicalm Injection be taken?

Nausicalm Injection 50mg should be administered by injection either intramuscularly (IM) or intravenously (IV), which may be repeated up to three times a day.  The dose you are given and when is determined by what you are being treated for and your doctor’s recommendations.

How long should you take Nausicalm Injection?

Nausicalm Injection 50mg is administered short term for treating nausea due to specific conditions.

How should Nausicalm Injection be stored?

You should store your Nausicalm Injection below 25°C in a cool dry place and protect from light.