Dimenhydrinate or dimenhydrinate is a drug to prevent and treat nausea, vomiting, and dizziness due to motion sickness. In addition, this drug can sometimes be used to treat vertigo caused by Meniere's disease.
Dimenhydrinate is a first generation antihistamine. This drug works by inhibiting the production and action of histamine produced by the body, thereby preventing nerve stimulation in the brain and inner ear that can cause nausea, vomiting, and dizziness.
Dimenhydrinate trademark: Antimo, Child Antimo, Antimab, Contramo, Dramamine, Dimenhydrinate, Dramasine, Mantino, Omedrinat, Stop-Mun, Wisatamex
What is Dimenhydrinate
| group | Prescription drugs |
| Category | Antihistamines |
| Benefit | Treats nausea, vomiting, and dizziness due to motion sickness and relieves vertigo due to Meniere's disease |
| Consumed by | Adults and children 2 years old |
| Dimenhydrinate for pregnant and lactating women | Category B: Studies in animal studies have not shown any risk to the fetus, but there are no controlled studies in pregnant women. Dimenhydrinate can be absorbed into breast milk. If you are breastfeeding, do not use this medicine without consulting your doctor first. |
| Drug form | Tablets and syrup |
Warning Before Taking Dimenhydrinate
Before taking dimenhydrinate, you need to pay attention to the following things:
- Do not take dimenhydrinate if you are allergic to this drug.
- Do not drive a vehicle or operate heavy machinery while you are being treated with dimenhydrinate, as this drug may cause drowsiness and blurred vision.
- Tell your doctor if you have or have ever had kidney disease, seizures, liver disease, BPH, heart disease, glaucoma, hypertension, intestinal obstruction, asthma, COPD, phenylketonuria, or hyperthyroidism.
- Do not give dimenhydrinate to children under 2 years of age, newborns, or infants born prematurely.
- Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning a pregnancy.
- Tell your doctor if you are taking any other medicines, including supplements, or herbal products.
- Tell your doctor if you are planning any surgery, including dental surgery.
- See your doctor right away if you have an overdose, allergic reaction to a drug, or a more serious side effect after using dimenhydrinate.
Dosage and Instructions for UseDimenhydrinate
The dose of dimenhydranate is different for each patient. The following is the distribution of dimenhydrinate doses for adult and pediatric patients:
- Adults and children 12 years of age:50–100 mg, every 6–8 hours.
Maximum dose: 400 mg per day.
- Children ages 2–6year: 12.5-25 mg, every 6-8 hours.
Maximum dose: 75 mg per day.
- Children aged 6–12 years: 50 mg, every 6–8 hours.
Maximum dose: 150 mg per day.
How to Take Dimenhydrinate Correctly
Be sure to read the instructions on the medicine package and follow the doctor's recommendations for taking dimenhydrinate.
To treat motion sickness, the drug can be taken 30 minutes to 1 hour before traveling. Dimenhydrinate is better taken after meals. Take dimenhydrinate with a glass of water and swallow the medicine whole.
Store dimenhydrinate in a tightly closed storage area and out of reach of children. Store at room temperature and avoid direct sunlight.
Interactions of Dimenhydrinate with Other Drugs
The following are some interactions that can occur if you take dimenhydrinate with other drugs:
- Increased risk of hearing loss or damage to the hearing organ if used with antibiotics
- Increased risk of drowsiness when used with drugs that have a central nervous system depressant effect
- Enhanced antimuscarinic effect when used with MAOIs or atropine
- Increased risk of fatal side effects when used with drugs containing calcium, potassium, magnesium, or sodium oxybate
Effect SAmping and DangerDimenhydrinate
Dimenhydrinate has the potential to cause a number of side effects, including:
- Headache
- Drowsiness
- Throw up
- dry mouth
- Blurred vision
- Constipation
- Loss of appetite
Check with your doctor if the side effects above do not subside. Immediately see a doctor if there is an allergic reaction to the drug which can be characterized by the appearance of an itchy and swollen rash, swollen eyes and lips, or difficulty breathing. In addition, you should also see a doctor immediately if you experience more serious side effects, such as:
- Difficulty urinating
- Mood swings
- Tremor
- Confusion
- Ears ringing
- Irregular heartbeat
- Seizures