What is nausicalm? A Guide to Its Uses, Ingredients, and Side Effects

October 6, 2025 •

4 min read

Used widely in countries like New Zealand and France, Nausicalm is a medication formulated to treat and prevent nausea and vomiting, especially in cases of motion sickness and vestibular disturbances. Unlike over-the-counter options in the United States, its active ingredient can vary by country and formulation, with some containing cyclizine and others dimenhydrinate.

Quick Summary

Nausicalm is an antiemetic medication, containing either cyclizine or dimenhydrinate depending on the region and formulation, for the treatment of nausea, vomiting, and motion sickness.

Key Points

Active Ingredients: Nausicalm contains either cyclizine hydrochloride or dimenhydrinate, depending on the country and specific product, both of which are antiemetic antihistamines.
Primary Uses: It is used to prevent and treat nausea, vomiting, motion sickness, and vertigo.
Regional Variations: Formulations differ internationally; for instance, tablets in New Zealand contain cyclizine, while syrup in France contains dimenhydrinate.
Potential Side Effects: Common side effects include drowsiness, dry mouth, blurred vision, and constipation, with a warning against operating heavy machinery.
Precautions: Use is not recommended for young children (age restrictions vary), pregnant or breastfeeding women without medical advice, or individuals with certain conditions like glaucoma or prostate issues.
Drug Interactions: Additive sedative effects can occur when Nausicalm is taken with alcohol or other central nervous system depressants.
Availability: While an over-the-counter or pharmacist-only medicine in some countries, it is not the same as anti-nausea medications available in the US with similar-sounding names.

Understanding What is Nausicalm?

Nausicalm is a brand name for a medication used as an antiemetic, meaning it helps to prevent and treat nausea and vomiting. The specific active ingredient in Nausicalm varies depending on the country where it is marketed and the particular product formulation. This regional difference is crucial to understand for consumers, as it affects the drug's precise mechanism of action and side effect profile.

For example, in New Zealand, Nausicalm tablets contain cyclizine hydrochloride. Cyclizine is an antihistamine that primarily works by blocking histamine H1 receptors in the brain, which are involved in the vomiting reflex and balance mechanisms. In contrast, Nausicalm syrup and capsules sold in France contain dimenhydrinate. Dimenhydrinate is also an antihistamine but is a salt of diphenhydramine, another well-known antihistamine. Despite the different active compounds, both formulations are designed to address the same core symptoms: motion sickness, vertigo, and general nausea.

Medical Uses and Indications

Nausicalm's primary purpose is to provide relief from various forms of nausea and vomiting. Its approved uses differ slightly based on the active ingredient but generally cover a range of conditions. Users should always consult the specific product information for the formulation they are considering.

Common Applications

Motion Sickness: A key use for both cyclizine and dimenhydrinate formulations is the prevention and treatment of motion sickness, which is caused by a disturbance in the body's balance-sensing system.
Post-operative Nausea and Vomiting (PONV): In some countries, cyclizine-based Nausicalm injections are used to manage nausea and vomiting following surgery and administration of general anesthetics.
Vertigo: The medication can be effective in relieving attacks of vertigo (dizziness) associated with inner ear problems, such as Meniere's disease.
Radiotherapy-induced Nausea: Cyclizine-based formulations may be used for nausea and vomiting caused by radiotherapy.
General Nausea and Vomiting: The dimenhydrinate syrup is indicated for short-term treatment of temporary, non-fever-related nausea and vomiting.

Formulations

Nausicalm is available in several forms, which affects its suitability for different age groups.

Common Nausicalm Formulations:

Tablets: Typically contain cyclizine hydrochloride and are for oral use. Age restrictions vary by region.
Syrup: A dimenhydrinate-based syrup is available in some countries for both adults and children, with specific instructions based on age and weight.
Capsules: Hard capsules containing dimenhydrinate are available for adults and older children.
Injections: An injectable solution containing cyclizine lactate is used in a clinical setting for more severe or pre-operative cases.

Potential Side Effects and Precautions

As with all medications, Nausicalm can cause side effects. The most notable is its potential for causing drowsiness, which can impact activities like driving or operating machinery. This effect can be intensified by alcohol consumption.

Common Side Effects

Drowsiness or sedation
Dry mouth, nose, and throat
Blurred vision
Constipation
Dizziness
Palpitations or rapid heartbeat
Trouble with urination

Contraindications and Precautions

Due to its anticholinergic properties, Nausicalm should be used with caution, particularly in individuals with certain pre-existing medical conditions. It is essential to consult a doctor or pharmacist before use, especially for those with:

Glaucoma: The anticholinergic effects can exacerbate angle-closure glaucoma.
Urinary Retention: Individuals with prostate enlargement or other urinary issues may experience worsening symptoms.
Liver or Kidney Disease: Use should be discussed with a healthcare professional.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding: Use is generally not recommended unless a doctor advises it after weighing the benefits and risks.
Other CNS Depressants: Nausicalm can have additive sedative effects when combined with alcohol or other central nervous system depressants.

Nausicalm vs. Other Anti-Nausea Medications

Understanding the differences between Nausicalm and other popular anti-nausea options helps consumers and healthcare professionals make informed decisions. The comparison below focuses on key attributes of Nausicalm (based on its common cyclizine formulation) and some widely available over-the-counter alternatives.


Feature	Nausicalm (Cyclizine)	Dramamine Original (Dimenhydrinate)	Pepto-Bismol (Bismuth Subsalicylate)
Active Ingredient	Cyclizine hydrochloride	Dimenhydrinate	Bismuth Subsalicylate
Mechanism of Action	Antihistamine (H1 receptor blocker); also has anticholinergic effects	Antihistamine (H1 receptor blocker); also has anticholinergic effects	Anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties; also protects the stomach lining
Primary Use	Motion sickness, vertigo, post-op nausea	Motion sickness, general nausea and vomiting	Upset stomach, nausea, heartburn, diarrhea
Availability	Available in countries like New Zealand and Australia as a pharmacist-only or OTC medicine. Not widely available in the US.	Widely available over-the-counter in the US and other regions.	Widely available over-the-counter in the US and other regions.
Drowsiness	Can cause drowsiness.	Can cause significant drowsiness.	Generally does not cause drowsiness.
Age Restriction	Age restrictions apply and vary by formulation and region.	For adults and children 2 years and older.	For adults and children 12 years and older.

Conclusion

Nausicalm is an effective antiemetic medication, but its identity is not monolithic. Depending on the country, it may contain either cyclizine or dimenhydrinate, two different antihistamines that target the body's balance and vomiting centers. While useful for treating and preventing motion sickness, vertigo, and other types of nausea, its regional variations and the potential for side effects like drowsiness necessitate careful consideration. Patients should always read the label of the specific product and consult with a healthcare professional to ensure it is the right and safest option for their needs.

For more detailed product information specific to New Zealand, one can consult the Medsafe website.

Frequently Asked Questions

The active ingredient in Nausicalm varies by region. In some countries, such as New Zealand, Nausicalm tablets contain cyclizine hydrochloride. In other areas, like France, syrup and capsule versions contain dimenhydrinate.

Nausicalm is not the same as products sold under similar names in the US. The specific brand Nausicalm, with its active ingredients of cyclizine or dimenhydrinate, is primarily available in other countries like New Zealand and France.

Nausicalm is used for the prevention and treatment of nausea and vomiting. This includes motion sickness, vertigo, and nausea related to post-operative recovery or radiotherapy.

The most common side effects include drowsiness, dry mouth, blurred vision, constipation, and dizziness. Due to its sedative effects, users should not drive or operate machinery until they know how the medication affects them.

This depends on the formulation and region. Some syrups containing dimenhydrinate are approved for children over certain ages (e.g., 2 or 6), while cyclizine tablets typically have stricter age limits (e.g., over 12).

For motion sickness, it is generally recommended to take antiemetic medication about half an hour before starting your journey. The frequency of taking the medication will depend on the specific product instructions and guidance from a healthcare professional.

Individuals with a history of hypersensitivity to the active ingredients should not take Nausicalm. It is also generally not recommended for those with glaucoma, urinary retention issues, severe liver or kidney disease, or during pregnancy or breastfeeding without medical guidance.