Dimenhydrinate
Dimenhydrinate is a drug that is useful for preventing nausea and vomiting during travel. This drug works by inhibiting excessive stimulation of the vestibular system, which is the system that regulates the body’s balance located in the ear.
Using this medication can cause drowsiness, because it temporarily suppresses brain activity. If you fall asleep after using this medication, your body may be distracted from the stimulation that can cause nausea or dizziness during the trip.
This drug, which is available in tablet and suspension form, is included in the antihistamine group that you can get without a doctor’s prescription. Adults and children over 2 years of age can use this drug. In addition, this drug is also relatively safe for consumption by pregnant women and is included in category B. However, there is nothing wrong if pregnant and breastfeeding mothers ask their doctor first about using this drug.
Benefits of Dimenhydrinate
Some of the benefits of this drug are preventing and treating nausea, vomiting, and dizziness, especially those caused by motion sickness. This drug is included in the antihistamine group. It works by preventing problems by maintaining the body’s balance.
Sometimes, this medicine can also be used to treat Meniere’s disease. Meniere’s disease is an inner ear condition that causes excessive dizziness, loss of balance, ringing in the ears, and hearing loss. In addition, this medicine can also treat other inner ear problems. However, you should talk to your doctor about the risks of using this medicine for your condition.
Dimenhydrinate Side Effects
Side effects that you should report to your doctor as soon as possible include:
- Allergic reactions, such as skin rashes, and itching. In addition, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat. In fact, drug allergies can cause anaphylactic shock, here’s why .
- Sudden eye pain or vision changes, such as blurred vision, seeing halos around lights, or loss of vision.
- Difficulty urinating.
Dimenhydrinate use can cause serious side effects. Stop using this medication and call your doctor right away if you experience:
- Little or no urination.
- Confusion, mood swings.
- Tremors, restlessness.
- Seizures.
- Fast or irregular heartbeat.
Side effects such as dry mouth, constipation, and confusion may be more common in older adults. Common side effects include:
- Sleepy.
- Feeling dry in the mouth, nose, or throat.
- Constipation.
- Blurred vision.
- Feeling restless or excited, especially in children.
Dimenhydrinate Dosage
Each person may need this medication in different doses. However, in general, the dose of this medication to prevent motion sickness that causes nausea, vomiting, or vertigo is:
- Adults and children (age 12 years and older): 50 to 100 milligrams (mg), every 4 to 6 hours. Maximum dose 300 to 400 mg/day.
- Children 6 to 11 years: 25 to 50 mg every 6 to 8 hours. Maximum dose 150 mg/day.
- Children 2 to 5 years: 12.5 to 25 mg every 6 to 8 hours. Maximum dose 75 mg/day.
How to Use Dimenhydrinate
How to use Dimenhydrinate is by swallowing it with water. This medicine is available in the form of swallowable tablets and chewable tablets that you can take with or without food. To prevent motion sickness, the first dose should be taken 30 minutes to 1 hour before traveling.
Adults and children over 12 years of age may take this medication every 4-6 hours, as needed or during travel, to prevent or treat motion sickness. Children under 12 years of age may take this medication every 6-8 hours as needed.
Always follow the directions on the package carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain anything you do not understand. Always use this medication exactly as directed by your doctor.
Avoid using this medication in more or less quantity or more often than directed by your doctor or as directed in the product information. Also, avoid giving this medication to children younger than 2 years unless you have asked your doctor first.
Cautions in Using Dimenhydrinate
Before using dimenhydrinate:
- Talk to your doctor and pharmacist if you have allergies to this medicine, any other medicines, or any ingredients in the medicines.
- If you are taking the chewable tablet form, talk to your doctor if you are allergic to tartrazine or aspirin. Ask your doctor or pharmacist, or check the label for the ingredients.
- Talk to your doctor and pharmacist about any prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take. Be sure to mention any medications such as antibiotics, antidepressants, and antihistamines.
- If you are being treated for irritable bowel disease, mental health disorders, Parkinson’s disease, seizures, ulcers, or urinary problems, tell your doctor about the medications you are taking. This includes muscle relaxants, sedatives, or sleeping pills. Your doctor may need to change the dosage of your medication or monitor you closely.
- Talk to your doctor if you have ever had asthma, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, difficulty urinating due to an enlarged prostate, glaucoma, or seizures. If you have an enlarged prostate.
- Also, tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking this medication, call your doctor.
- If you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are taking dimenhydrinate.
- Please note, that using this medicine can make you drowsy. Avoid driving, operating machinery, or participating in potentially hazardous activities while using this medicine.
- Avoid drinking alcohol or beverages containing alcohol while taking this medication. Alcohol can worsen the side effects of this medication.
- Talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of taking dimenhydrinate in people 65 years of age or older. This medication is usually not recommended for older adults because it is not as safe or effective as other medications that can be used to treat the same conditions.
Dimenhydrinate Interactions
Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using this medication if you are taking any other medications. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Some medicines may cause unwanted effects or be dangerous if used together.
Taking dimenhydrinate with other medications that can make you drowsy or slow your breathing can worsen these effects. Ask your doctor before taking this medication with sleeping pills, narcotic pain medications, muscle relaxants, or medications to treat depression or seizures.
Dimenhydrinate Contraindications
People with certain conditions may not be able to take this medication, such as:
- Have a history of wheezing or asthma.
- Long-term history of coughing or shortness of breath (due to chronic bronchitis).
- Sudden eye pain (due to acute glaucoma).
- History of seizures.
- Having a blocked intestine.
- Have a heart disorder, such as heart rhythm disturbance or heart failure.
- Prostate enlargement.
- Hypertension.
- Pregnant mother.
- Breastfeeding mothers.
- Thyroid gland disorders.
- Liver disorders.
