Home Page > Categories > General > Dimenhydrinate

Dimenhydrinate

 

Dimenhydrinate (generic Dramamine) Review

brand names: Calm-X, Dimetabs, Dramamine, Triptone, Travel-Eze
generic name: Dimenhydrinate

What are dimenhydrinate tablets and capsules?

DIMENHYDRINATE (Dramamine®) is an antihistamine. It helps to prevent nausea, vomiting, or dizziness associated with motion sickness, and to treat or prevent vertigo (extreme dizziness or a sensation that you or your surroundings are tilting or spinning around). Generic dimenhydrinate tablets and capsules are available.

Important safety information:

• PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you become pregnant, discuss with your doctor the benefits and risks of using Dramamine (Dimenhydrinate) during pregnancy. Dramamine is excreted in breast milk. Do not breast-feed while taking Dramamine (Dimenhydrinate) .
• Use of Dramamine (Dimenhydrinate) is not recommended in CHILDREN younger than 2 years of age without first talking with the child's doctor. Safety and effectiveness in this age group have not been confirmed.
• Safe use and instructions for use in CHILDREN differs according to the brand used. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions about the brand you are using.
• Use Dramamine (Dimenhydrinate) with caution in the ELDERLY because they may be more sensitive to its effects, sedation, especially dizziness, and lightheadedness upon standing.
• Do not use Dramamine with any medicine that contains diphenhydramine. Before you begin taking any new prescription or nonprescription medicine, including one used on the skin, read the ingredients to see if it also contains diphenhydramine or another similar medicine (eg, antihistamine). If it does, or if you are uncertain if it does, contact your doctor or pharmacist.
• Dramamine (Dimenhydrinate) may cause increased sensitivity to the sun. Avoid exposure to the sun, sunlamps, or tanning booths until you know how you react to Dramamine . Use a sunscreen or protective clothing if you must be outside for a prolonged period.
• Do not become overheated in hot weather or during exercise or other activities since heatstroke may occur.
• Do not exceed the recommended dose or use Dramamine (Dimenhydrinate) more frequently or for longer than prescribed without first checking with your doctor.
• Dramamine (Dimenhydrinate) may cause dizziness. Alcohol, exercise, hot weather, and fever can increase this effect. To prevent it, sit up or stand slowly, especially in the morning. Also, sit or lie down at the first sign of dizziness.
• Avoid drinking alcohol or taking other medications that cause drowsiness (eg, sedatives, tranquilizers) while taking Dramamine (Dimenhydrinate) . Dramamine will add to the effects of alcohol and other depressants. Ask your pharmacist if you have questions about which medicines are depressants.
• Dramamine (Dimenhydrinate) may cause drowsiness or dizziness. Do not drive, operate machinery, or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how you react to Dramamine . Using Dramamine (Dimenhydrinate) alone, with certain other medicines, or with alcohol may lessen your ability to drive or to perform other potentially dangerous tasks.

What if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose, use it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, use only that dose. Do not use double or extra doses.

Who should not take Dramamine (dimenhydrinate)?

Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you have

• an irregular heartbeat or any other type of heart disease.
• asthma, or
• glaucoma,
• bladder problems,
• difficulty urinating,
• an enlarged prostate,
• kidney or liver disease,

You may not be able to take dimenhydrinate, or you may require a lower dose or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listed above.

Dimenhydrinate is in the FDA pregnancy category B. This means that it is unlikely to harm an unborn baby. Do not take dimenhydrinate without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant. Dimenhydrinate passes into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not take dimenhydrinate without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby. Dimenhydrinate is not recommended for use by children younger than 2 years of age, except under the direction of a doctor.

What should I watch for while taking dimenhydrinate?

Tell your prescriber or health care professional if your symptoms do not improve in 1 or 2 days. If you are taking dimenhydrinate on a regular schedule, visit your prescriber or health care professional for regular checks on your progress.

You may get drowsy or dizzy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs mental alertness until you know how dimenhydrinate affects you. To reduce the risk of dizzy or fainting spells, do not stand or sit up quickly, especially if you are an older patient. Alcohol may increase dizziness and drowsiness. Avoid alcoholic drinks.

Your mouth may get dry. Chewing sugarless gum or sucking hard candy, and drinking plenty of water will help.

Dimenhydrinate may cause dry eyes and blurred vision. If you wear contact lenses you may feel some discomfort. Lubricating drops may help. See your ophthalmologist if the problem does not go away or is severe.

If you are receiving skin tests for allergies, tell your physician you are using dimenhydrinate.

Dramamine (dimenhydrinate) side effects

Stop taking dimenhydrinate and seek emergency medical attention if you experience an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; swelling of your lips, tongue, or face; closing of your throat; or hives).

Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue to take dimenhydrinate and talk to your doctor if you experience

• an irregular or fast heartbeat.
• difficulty urinating; or
• decreased appetite, vomiting, nausea, or diarrhea;
• dry mouth, nose, or throat;
• blurred or double vision;
• restlessness, nervousness, excitation, or insomnia;
• drowsiness or dizziness;

Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.