Two medicines, side by side
Meclizine vs metoclopramide
Meclizine and metoclopramide are both labeled for nausea and vomiting. Drugs@FDA records approvals of meclizine since 1957 and of metoclopramide since 1979. Pharmacies paid $0.0442 per meclizine 12.5 mg tablet and $0.0439 per metoclopramide 10 mg tablet (NADAC, October 7, 2026); the strengths differ, so the two prices are not like for like. In FDA's classes, meclizine is an antiemetic and metoclopramide a dopamine-2 receptor antagonist.
Check it at the source: the meclizine FDA label on DailyMed (effective June 2, 2025); the metoclopramide FDA label on DailyMed (effective May 18, 2026).
Highlights of the meclizine record
Meclizine (Antivert) · label of June 2, 2025
Used for
From the label: indicationsMeclizine hydrochloride is indicated for the treatment of vertigo associated with diseases affecting the vestibular system in adults. Meclizine hydrochloride is indicated for the treatment of vertigo associated with diseases affecting the vestibular system in adults.
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- February 14, 1957
- Generic labelers
- 24 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.0442 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 12
Highlights of the metoclopramide record
Metoclopramide (Reglan) · label of May 18, 2026
TARDIVE DYSKINESIA
Metoclopramide, including metoclopramide tablets, can cause tardive dyskinesia (TD), a potentially irreversible serious movement disorder. In patients treated with metoclopramide, including metoclopramide tablets, the risk of developing TD increases with duration of treatment and total cumulative dosage [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 )].
Metoclopramide tablets are contraindicated in patients with a history of TD.
Used for
From the label: indicationsMetoclopramide Tablets USP are indicated for the: • Treatment for 4 to 12 weeks of symptomatic, documented gastroesophageal reflux in adults who fail to respond to conventional therapy. • Relief of symptoms in adults with acute and recurrent diabetic gastroparesis. […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- February 7, 1979
- Generic labelers
- 39 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.0439 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 10
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Meclizine label of June 2, 2025, Metoclopramide label of May 18, 2026); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do meclizine and metoclopramide differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, meclizine is an antiemetic and metoclopramide a dopamine-2 receptor antagonist.
How each works, in its label's words: Meclizine, “The precise mechanism by which meclizine exerts its therapeutic effect is unknown but is presumed to involve antagonism of the histamine H1 receptor.”; Metoclopramide, “Metoclopramide stimulates motility of the upper gastrointestinal tract without stimulating gastric, biliary, or pancreatic secretions.”
Half-life, in each label's words: Meclizine, “Elimination Meclizine has a plasma elimination half-life of about 5-6 hours in humans.”; Metoclopramide, “The mean elimination half-life in subjects with normal renal function was 5 to 6 hours.”
Only the metoclopramide label carries a boxed warning.
Generics: meclizine since 1975; metoclopramide since 1985 (Drugs@FDA).
| Meclizine | Metoclopramide | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Nausea and vomiting | Acid reflux and ulcers, Nausea and vomiting |
| Pharmacologic class | Antiemetic | Dopamine-2 Receptor Antagonist |
| How it works (label) | The precise mechanism by which meclizine exerts its therapeutic effect is unknown but is presumed to involve antagonism of the histamine H1 receptor. | Metoclopramide stimulates motility of the upper gastrointestinal tract without stimulating gastric, biliary, or pancreatic secretions. |
| Half-life (label) | Elimination Meclizine has a plasma elimination half-life of about 5-6 hours in humans. | The mean elimination half-life in subjects with normal renal function was 5 to 6 hours. |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | February 14, 1957 | February 7, 1979 |
| First generic approved | March 19, 1975 | July 29, 1985 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 24 labelers | 39 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.0442 per tablet (Meclizine 12.5 mg tablet) | $0.0439 per tablet (Metoclopramide 10 mg tablet) |
| 12-month price change | -11% | -11% |
| Boxed warning | No | Yes |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 12 | 10 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 19,471 | 76,710 |
| DEA schedule | none | none |
Source: Drugs@FDA, FDA NDC Directory, CMS NADAC of October 7, 2026, FDA shortages and recalls, FAERS via openFDA (FDA files October 8, 2026)
What do the labels say about using others of their kind?
Meclizine label, drug interactionsDRUG INTERACTIONS Coadministration of meclizine hydrochloride with other CNS depressants, including alcohol, may result in increased CNS depression ( 7.1 ).
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA
What next?
- Alternatives to meclizine
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions