Dimenhydrinate
Description
Dimenhydrinate is an antihistamine used to prevent nausea and vomiting caused by motion sickness. It is also used in the treatment of vertigo. This medicine is not recommended for use in patients less than 2 years of age.
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Side effects
Major & minor side effects for Dimenhydrinate
- Headache
- Dry mouth
- Difficulty with passing urine
- Drowsiness
- Fatigue
- Rash
- Constipation
- Difficulty in falling asleep
- Vision disturbances
Uses of Dimenhydrinate
What is it prescribed for?
- Motion sickness
- Vertigo and vestibular disorders
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Concerns
Commonly asked questions
- Onset of actionThe effect of this medicine can be observed within 15-30 minutes of oral administration of the dose.
- Duration of effectThe effect of this medicine lasts for an average duration of 3 to 6 hours.
- Safe with alcohol?Consumption of alcohol is not recommended during treatment with this medicine due to the increased risk of side effects such as drowsiness and dizziness. It is advised that you do not perform any activities such as driving a vehicle or operating machinery if you consume alcohol during treatment with this medicine.
- Is it habit forming?No habit-forming tendencies were reported.
- Usage in pregnancy?This medicine is not recommended for use in pregnant women unless necessary. All the risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before taking this medicine.
- Usage while breast-feeding?This medicine is not recommended for use in breastfeeding women unless necessary. All the risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before taking this medicine. Your doctor may advise you to discontinue the drug or to discontinue breastfeeding based on your clinical condition.
Allergy
This medicine is not recommended for use in patients with a known allergy to dimenhydrinate or any other inactive ingredients present along with this medicine.
Warnings for special population
Pregnancy
This medicine is not recommended for use in pregnant women unless necessary. All the risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before taking this medicine.
Breast-feeding
This medicine is not recommended for use in breastfeeding women unless necessary. All the risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before taking this medicine. Your doctor may advise you to discontinue the drug or to discontinue breastfeeding based on your clinical condition.
General warnings
Hepatic impairment
This medicine should be used with caution in patients with a history of liver diseases due to the increased risk of severe adverse effects. Appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative may be required in some cases based on the clinical condition.
Driving or Operating machinery
Use of this medicine may cause symptoms such as blurred vision, dizziness, drowsiness, etc. in some patients. It is advised that you do not perform any activities such as driving a vehicle or operating machinery if you experience any of these symptoms during treatment with this medicine.
Seizures
This medicine should be used with caution in patients with a known history of seizure disorder due to the increased risk of recurrent seizures. Appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative may be required in some cases based on the clinical condition.
Prostatic hypertrophy
This medicine should be used with caution in patients with prostatic hypertrophy due to the increased risk of worsening of the patient's condition. Appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative may be required in some cases based on the clinical condition.
Glaucoma
This medicine should be used with caution in patients with glaucoma due to the increased risk of worsening of the patient's condition. Appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative may be required in some cases based on the clinical condition.
Use in pediatrics
This medicine is not recommended for use in patients less than 2 years of age since the safety and efficacy of use are not clinically established.
Renal impairment
This medicine should be used with caution in patients with a history of kidney diseases due to the increased risk of severe adverse effects. Appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative may be required in some cases based on the clinical condition.
Missed Dose
This medicine is usually taken on an as-needed basis. If you are on a scheduled dosing regimen of this medicine, take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose. Do not double your dose to make up for the missed one.
Overdose
Seek emergency medical treatment or contact the doctor in case of an overdose.
All drugs interact differently for person to person. You should check all the possible interactions with your doctor before starting any medicine.
Interaction with Alcohol
Description
N/A
Instructions
Consumption of alcohol is not recommended during treatment with this medicine due to the increased risk of side effects such as drowsiness and dizziness. It is advised that you do not perform any activities such as driving a vehicle or operating machinery if you consume alcohol during treatment with this medicine.
Interaction with Medicine
Amitriptyline
Amantadine
Topiramate
Duloxetine
Chlorpromazine
Zonisamide
Disease interactions
Cardiovascular disease
This medicine should be used with caution in patients with a known history of cardiovascular diseases due to the increased risk of worsening of the patient's condition. Report any symptoms such as an irregular heart rate, dizziness, fainting, uneasiness, shortness of breath, etc. to the doctor immediately. Close monitoring of vital signs, appropriate dose adjustments, or replacement with a suitable alternative may be necessary based on the clinical condition.
Asthma/ COPD
This medicine should be used with caution in patients with a known history of asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease due to the increased risk of worsening of the patient's condition. Replacement with a suitable alternative may be necessary in some cases based on the clinical condition.
Food interactions
Information not available.
Lab interactions
Information not available.
Take this medicine with or without food. Do not take in larger or smaller amounts than advised/prescribed. Consult the doctor if you experience any undesirable side effects. This medicine should be used with caution in patients less than 6 years of age and only under the supervision of your doctor.
Miscelleneous
How it works
It works by acting on the vomiting center in the brain and on the inner ear to reduce the symptoms of motion sickness and vertigo.
Legal Status
Classification
Category
Anticholinergic antiemetics
Schedule
OTC
Dimenhydrinate - DrugBank [Internet]. Drugbank.ca. 2018 [cited 6 April 2018]. Available from:
Dimenhydrinate: MedlinePlus Drug Information [Internet]. Medlineplus.gov. 2018 [cited 6 April 2018]. Available from:
Prescribing medicines in pregnancy database [Internet]. Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). 2018 [cited 6 April 2018]. Available from:
[Internet]. Mhra.gov.uk. 2018 [cited 6 April 2018]. Available from:
[Internet]. Pdf.hres.ca. 2018 [cited 6 April 2018]. Available from:
Canada H. Dimenhydrinate - Canada.ca [Internet]. Canada.ca. 2018 [cited 6 April 2018]. Available from:
[Internet]. 2018 [cited 6 April 2018]. Available from:
Information on this page was last updated on 9 Apr 2018
Disclaimer
We’ve made all possible efforts to ensure that the information provided here is accurate, up-to-date and complete, however, it should not be treated as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Practo only provides reference source for common information on medicines and does not guarantee its accuracy or exhaustiveness. The absence of a warning for any drug or combination thereof, should not be assumed to indicate that the drug or combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for any given patient. Practo does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information provided above. If you have any doubts about your medication then we strongly recommend that you consult with your doctor, nurse or healthcare provider. See detailed T&C here.