My pharmacist said that i could take otc meclizine instead of the xanax (alprazolam) i was prescribed for plane anxiety. is this correct?

Depends: Meclizine will be better to handle the air sickness symptoms - dizzy, nausea, faint, etc. Zanax better for anxiety/fear. Which is better for you? - you might tell - no one else can. Don't get into the habit of Zanax - use only for the exact need and it can be fine - otherwise it can be habit forming. Hope it helped.

Possible: Meclizine is an antihistamine and is mostly used for vertigo. However, it helps some people with anxiety around flying and is a much safer drug than xanax (alprazolam).