Vertigo - Why do you need to chew the Meclizine tablet before swallowing it?

I have it constantly - sometimes a little better, sometimes worse.

If you chewed it, I am assuming you were prescribed the OTC version, perhaps Bonine. I spoke with my GP regarding taking the OTC if I ran out (I take it for Labrynthitis from a bad, double ear infection) and he said although the OTC is 25mg of Meclizine, it is not the 'same' as the prescription version, which is a yellow, oblong pill you swallow (not chew) and may not work as well as the prescription version. The Rx version works great for my dizziness but makes me sooooo tired, I am hesitant to drive, so sometimes I break the pill in half. Doesn't combat the dizziness as well, but feel more alert to drive.

I've taken and given lots of meclizine in my time and I never was told to have the pt or myself chew it. Its not a chewable tab.

I've never heard of chewing on it, I used to take it for vertigo but then found out I have meiners so I take Valium twice daily. Mine only got worse but everyone is different. Mine has got to the point that I have daily anxiety worrying I will have an attack. It can be devistating for a lot of people. Hope you feel better the meclizine helped but I had to break my 25mg in half it made me so sleepy.