Dimenhydrinate

Dimenhydrinate is a prescription medication used to prevent Motion Sickness. 

• Dimenhydrinate is available under the following different brand names: Dramamine

Adult and pediatric dosage

Injectable solution

• 50mg/mL

Tablet

• 50mg

Tablet, chewable

50mg

Prevention of Motion Sickness

Adult dosage: 

• 50-100 mg orally/IV/IM every 4-6 hours as needed, 30 minutes before exposure to motion; not to exceed 400 mg/day

Pediatric dosage: 

• Children 2-6 years old: 12.5-25 mg orally every 6-8 hours; no more than 75 mg/day
• Children 6-12 years old: 12.5-25 mg orally every 6-8 hours; no more than 150 mg/day
• Children older than 12 years of age: Same as adult dosing

Dosage Considerations – Should be Given as Follows: 

• See “Dosages”.

Common side effects of Dimenhydrinate include:

• drowsiness, 
• constipation, 
• blurred vision, and
• dry mouth, nose, or throat

Serious side effects of Dimenhydrinate include:

• hives, 
• difficulty breathing, 
• swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat, 
• lightheadedness, 
• mental or mood changes, 
• restlessness, 
• confusion,
• fast or irregular heartbeat, 
• shaking, 
• seizures, and
• difficulty urinating

Rare side effects of Dimenhydrinate include:

• none 

If your medical doctor is using this medicine to treat your pain, your doctor or pharmacist may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for them.  Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with your doctor, health care provider or pharmacist first.

• Dimenhydrinate has severe interactions with no other drugs.
• Dimenhydrinate has serious interactions with the following drugs:
  • calcium/magnesium/potassium/sodium oxybates
  • eluxadoline
  • metoclopramide intranasal
  • pitolisant
  • secretin
  • sodium oxybate
• Dimenhydrinate has moderate interactions with at least 196 other drugs.
• Dimenhydrinate has minor interactions with at least 46 other drugs. 

This information does not contain all possible interactions or adverse effects. Visit the RxList Drug Interaction Checker for any drugs interactions. Therefore, before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all the products you use.  Keep a list of all your medications with you, and share this information with your doctor and pharmacist.  Check with your health care professional or doctor for additional medical advice, or if you have health questions, concerns.

Contraindications

• Documented hypersensitivity to Dimenhydrinate or diphenhydramine
• Lower respiratory disease, eg, asthma (controversial)
• Preemies and neonates
• Nursing women

Effects of drug abuse

• None

Short-Term Effects

• See “What are Side Effects Associated with Using Dimenhydrinate?”

Long-Term Effects

• See “What Are Side Effects Associated with Using Dimenhydrinate?”

Cautions

• May impair ability to drive or operate heavy machinery
• May mask early signs of ototoxicity if given concomitantly with ototoxic drugs (eg, aminoglycosides)
• Patients with seizures, angle-closure glaucoma, enlargement of prostate gland, asthma, emphysema, acute hepatic insufficiency

Pregnancy and Lactation

• Use during pregnancy may be acceptable. 
• Crosses into breast milk, discontinue drug or do not nurse