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Dimenhydrinate
Dimenhydrinate
Pronunciation
(dye men HYE dri nate)
Brand Names
Calm-X® Oral [OTC]; Dimetabs® Oral; Dinate® Injection; Dramamine® Oral [OTC];
Dramilin® Injection; Dymenate® Injection; Hydrate® Injection; Marmine®
Injection; Marmine® Oral [OTC]; Tega-Vert® Oral; TripTone® Caplets®[OTC]
Canadian/Mexican Brand Names
Apo-Dimenhydrinate® (Canada); Gravol® (Canada); PMS-Dimenhydrinate (Canada);
Travel Aid® (Canada); Travel Tabs® (Canada); Vomisen® (Mexico)
Therapeutic Categories
Antiemetic; Antihistamine
What is this medicine used for?
- This medicine is used for the treatment of nausea, vomiting, dizziness, or
vertigo of motion sickness.
How does it work?
- Dimenhydrinate works by affecting nerve pathways between the vomiting
center and other controllers of the brain.
How is it best taken?
- Take with or without food. Take with food if this medicine causes an upset
stomach.
- Take 30 minutes before travel.
- A liquid is available if you cannot swallow pills. Those who have feeding
tubes can also use the liquid. Flush the feeding tube before and after medicine
is given.
- Do not swallow the chewable tablet. Chew or crush it.
What do I do if I miss a dose?
- Take a missed dose as soon as possible.
- If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed one. Return to your
regular schedule.
- Do not take a double dose or extra doses.
What are the precautions when taking this
medicine?
- If you are 65 or older, you may have more side effects You could feel
sleepy, shaky, constipated, confused, or be unable to pass urine.
- Avoid alcohol (includes wine, beer, and liquor) and other medicines that
slow your actions and reactions. This includes sedatives, tranquilizers, mood
stabilizers, or pain medicine. Talk with healthcare provider.
- Increased activity or inability to sleep may be seen in children.
- Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Make sure to
tell about the allergy and how it affected you. This includes telling about
rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of face,
lips, tongue, throat; or any other symptoms involved.
- Tell healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan on getting pregnant.
- Do not use if you are breast-feeding.
What are the common side effects of this
medicine?
- Feeling sleepy, tired, or unable to think clearly. Avoid driving, doing
other tasks or hobbies that require you to be alert until you see how this
medicine affects you.
- Dry mouth. Frequent mouth care, sucking hard candy, or chewing gum may
help.
- Inability to sleep may be seen in children.
- Constipation. More liquids, regular exercise, or a fiber-containing diet
may help. Talk with healthcare provider about a stool softener or laxative.
- Unable to pass urine. Go to the bathroom before taking medicine. Talk with
healthcare provider if it becomes a problem.
What should I monitor?
- Check effectiveness of medicine in preventing or treating nausea and
vomiting.
Reasons to call healthcare provider
immediately
- Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing; tightness in
the chest; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits; swelling of face,
lips, tongue, or throat.
- Too tired or sleepy.
- Any rash.
- No improvement in condition or feeling worse.
How should I store this medicine?
- Store in a tight, light-resistant container at room temperature.
General statements
- Do not share your medicine with others and do not take anyone else's
medicine.
- Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and pets.
- Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, herbal/supplements,
vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to healthcare provider
(doctor, nurse, pharmacist, physician assistant).
- Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine, including
over-the-counter or natural products (herbs, vitamins).
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