Dimenhydrinate

What is Dimenhydrinate?

• Dimenhydrinate (Dramamine; Dramamine Chewable) is a first generation antihistamine that is used for treatment or prevention of motion sickness or symptoms of nausea and dizziness.

Dimenhydrinate

Dimenhydrinate complet formula

Dimenhydrinate SVG

What are the uses of this medicine?

Dimenhydrinate (Dramamine; Dramamine Chewable) is used for prevention and treatment of these symptoms associated with motion sickness:

• nausea
• vomiting
• dizziness

How does this medicine work?

• Dimenhydrinate (dye" men hye' dri nate) is the 8-chlorotheophylline salt of diphenhydramine and, thus, combines a first generation antihistamine with a xanthine that is added to counteract the drowsiness caused by diphenhydramine.

Who Should Not Use this medicine ?

This medicine cannot be used in patients who:

• in children under 2 years of age unless directed by a doctor.

What drug interactions can this medicine cause?

• Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

Be sure to mention any of the following:

• aminoglycoside antibiotics such as such as amikacin (Amikin), gentamicin (Garamycin), kanamycin (Kantrex), neomycin (Neo-Rx, Neo-Fradin), netilmicin (Netromycin), paromomycin (Humatin), streptomycin, and tobramycin (Tobi, Nebcin)
• antidepressants such as amitriptyline (Elavil), amoxapine (Asendin), clomipramine (Anafranil), desipramine (Norpramin), doxepin (Adapin, Sinequan), imipramine (Tofranil), nortriptyline (Aventyl, Pamelor), protriptyline (Vivactil), and trimipramine (Surmontil)
• antihistamines, such as diphenhydramine
• cough and cold medications
• ipratropium (Atrovent)
• medications for anxiety, irritable bowel disease, mental illness, Parkinson's disease, seizures, ulcers, or urinary problems
• narcotic or strong pain relievers or muscle relaxants
• sedatives
• sleeping pills
• tranquilizers

Is this medicine FDA approved?

• It was approved as an over-the-counter agent in 2004 and is used largely for prevention of motion sickness and nausea.

How should this medicine be used?

Recommended dosage:

• To prevent motion sickness, the first dose should be taken 1/2 to 1 hour before starting activity.

To prevent or treat motion sickness, use the following dosing:

Adults and children 12 years and over:

• 1-2 tablets every 4-6 hours; not more than 8 tablets in 24 hours, or as directed by a doctor

Children 6 years to under 12 years:

• 1/2-1 tablet every 6-8 hours; not more than 3 tablets in 24 hours, or as directed by a doctor

Children 2 years to under 6 years:

• 1/4-1/2 tablet every 6-8 hours; not more than 1 1/2 tablets in 24 hours, or as directed by a doctor

Administration:

• Dimenhydrinate comes as a tablet and chewable tablet to take by mouth with or without food.
• To prevent motion sickness, the first dose should be taken 30 minutes to 1 hour before you travel or begin motion activity.
• Adults and children older than age 12 may usually take dimenhydrinate every 4 to 6 hours as needed to prevent or treat motion sickness.
• Children under age 12 may usually be given dimenhydrinate every 6 to 8 hours as needed to prevent or treat motion sickness.

What are the dosage forms and brand names of this medicine?

This medicine is available in fallowing doasage form:

• As Dimenhydrinate 50 mg tablets
• A liquid formulation for intramuscular use is also available.

This medicine is available in fallowing brand namesː

• Dramamine; Dramamine Chewable

What side effects can this medication cause?

The most common side effects of this medicine include:

• sedation, impairment of motor function, confusion, dizziness, blurred vision, dry mouth and throat, palpitations, tachycardia, abdominal distress, constipation and headache.

• Antihistamines can worsen urinary retention and glaucoma.

Less common, but serious side effects may include:

• fast, pounding, or irregular heartbeat

What special precautions should I follow?

• Do not use for children under 2 years of age unless directed by a doctor.

Ask a doctor before use if you have:

• a breathing problem such as emphysema or chronic bronchitis
• glaucoma
• trouble urinating due to an enlarged prostate gland

• When using this product marked drowsiness may occur.
• Avoid alcoholic drinks, alcohol, sedatives, and tranquilizers may increase dizziness be careful when driving a motor vehicle or operating machinery.
• Older adults should not usually take dimenhydrinate because it is not as safe or effective as other medications that can be used to treat the same condition.
• If you have phenylketonuria, read the package label carefully before taking dimenhydrinate. Dimenhydrinate chewable tablets contain aspartame that forms phenylalanine.
• If you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are taking dimenhydrinate.
• Talk with your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking dimenhydrinate, call your doctor.

What to do in case of emergency/overdose?

Symptoms of overdose may include:

• drowsiness or sleepiness
• difficulty speaking or swallowing
• unsteadiness
• seizures
• excitation or hyperactivity
• hallucinations
• difficulty understanding reality
• confusion
• unresponsiveness or coma
• large pupils
• flushed face

Management of overdosage:

• In case of overdose, call the poison control helpline of your country. In the United States, call 1-800-222-1222.

• Overdose related information is also available online at poisonhelp.org/help.
• In the event that the victim has collapsed, had a seizure, has trouble breathing, or can't be awakened, immediately call emergency services. In the United States, call 911.

Can this medicine be used in pregnancy?

• If you become pregnant while taking dimenhydrinate, call your doctor.

Can this medicine be used in children?

• Do not use in children under 2 years of age unless directed by a doctor.

What are the active and inactive ingredients in this medicine?

Active ingredient:

• Dimenhydrinate

Inactive ingredients:

• colloidal silicone dioxide, lactose monohydrate, magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, sodium starch glycolate, stearic acid

Who manufactures and distributes this medicine?

• Made in the for Qualitest Pharmaceuticals Huntsville, AL USA

What should I know about storage and disposal of this medication?

• store at 15° to 30°C (59° to 86°F).

First Generation Antihistamines

• Brompheniramine
• Carbinoxamine
• Chlorcyclizine
• Chlorpheniramine
• Clemastine
• Cyclizine
• Cyproheptadine
• Dexbrompheniramine
• Dexchlorpheniramine
• Dimenhydrinate
• Diphenhydramine
• Doxylamine
• Hydroxyzine
• Meclizine
• Phenyltoloxamine
• Promethazine
• Triprolidine

Second Generation Antihistamines

• Acrivastine
• Cetirizine
• Fexofenadine
• Levocetirizine
• Loratadine
• Desloratadine

• Dailymed label info on Dimenhydrinate
• FDA Dimenhydrinate

Dimenhydrinate Resources
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