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.

File:Dimenhydrinate.svg

Dimenhydrinate

File:Dimenhydrinate complet formula.svg

Dimenhydrinate complet formula

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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