Dimenhydrinate capsules, tablets and chewable tablets

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.

What should my health care professional know before I use dimenhydrinate?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

• asthma or other lung disease

• constipation

• glaucoma or other eye disease

• head injury

• heart disease

• heart rhythm problems (irregular, fast, or slow heart rate)

• high or low blood pressure

• liver disease

• pain or difficulty passing urine (or other bladder problems)

• phenylketonuria

• porphyria

• prostate trouble

• seizure disorder (convulsions)

• stomach or intestinal problems

• wear contact lenses

• an unusual or allergic reaction to dimenhydrinate, aspirin, tartrazine dye, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives

• pregnant or trying to get pregnant

• breast-feeding

How should I use this medicine?

Take dimenhydrinate tablets by mouth. Follow the directions on the prescription label. Swallow the tablets or capsules with a drink of water (chewable tablets can be chewed or swallowed whole). If you are using dimenhydrinate to prevent motion sickness, take the dose at least one-half to 1 hour before travel. If dimenhydrinate upsets your stomach, take it with food or milk. Take your doses at regular intervals. Do not take your medicine more often than directed.

Elderly patients over 65 years old may have a stronger reaction to this medicine and need smaller doses.

Contact your pediatrician or health care professional regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed.

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.

What drug(s) may interact with dimenhydrinate?

• alcohol

• barbiturate medicines for inducing sleep or treating seizures (convulsions)

• medicines for anxiety or sleeping problems, such as diazepam or temazepam

• medicines for hay fever and other allergies

• medicines for mental depression

• medicines for mental problems and psychotic disturbances

• medicines for movement abnormalities as in Parkinson's disease

• some medicines for gastrointestinal problems

Tell your prescriber or health care professional about all other medicines you are taking, including non-prescription medicines, nutritional supplements, or herbal products. Also tell your prescriber or health care professional if you are a frequent user of drinks with caffeine or alcohol, if you smoke, or if you use illegal drugs. These may affect the way your medicine works. Check with your health care professional before stopping or starting any of your medicines.

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.

What side effects may I notice from using dimenhydrinate?

Side effects that you should report to your prescriber or health care professional as soon as possible:

• blurred vision

• confusion

• excitability, restlessness, nervousness, or not able to sleep (more likely in children)

• fainting spells

• incoordination

• irregular, slow or fast heartbeat, palpitations, or chest pain

• pain or difficulty passing urine

• ringing in the ears

• seizures (convulsions)

• persistent or unusual rash or hives

• wheezing

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your prescriber or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):

• dizziness

• drowsiness, weakness, or tiredness

• dry mouth

• headache

• loss of appetite

• reddening of the skin

• sensitivity to light

• stomach upset, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or constipation

Where can I keep my medicine?

Keep out of the reach of children.

Store upright at room temperature between 20 and 25°C (68 and 77°F) in a tight container; do not freeze. Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.

Dimenhydrinate injection

What is dimenhydrinate injection?

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

What should my health care professional know before I use dimenhydrinate?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

• asthma or other lung disease

• constipation

• glaucoma or other eye disease

• head injury

• heart disease

• heart rhythm problems (irregular, fast, or slow heart rate)

• high or low blood pressure

• liver disease

• pain or difficulty passing urine (or other bladder problems)

• phenylketonuria

• porphyria

• prostate trouble

• seizure disorder (convulsions)

• stomach or intestinal problems

• wear contact lenses

• an unusual or allergic reaction to dimenhydrinate, benzyl alcohol, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives

• pregnant or trying to get pregnant

• breast-feeding

How should I use this medicine?

Dimenhydrinate is for injection either under the skin, into a muscle, or into a vein. It will be given to you by a health care professional in a hospital, clinic, or prescriber's office.

Contact your pediatrician or health care professional regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed.

What if I miss a dose?

This does not apply. The injection is usually given as a single dose as needed by a health care professional.

What drug(s) may interact with dimenhydrinate?

• alcohol

• barbiturate medicines for inducing sleep or treating seizures (convulsions)

• medicines for anxiety or sleeping problems, such as diazepam or temazepam

• medicines for hay fever and other allergies

• medicines for mental depression

• medicines for mental problems and psychotic disturbances

• medicines for movement abnormalities as in Parkinson's disease

• some medicines for gastrointestinal problems

Tell your prescriber or health care professional about all other medicines you are taking, including non-prescription medicines, nutritional supplements, or herbal products. Also tell your prescriber or health care professional if you are a frequent user of drinks with caffeine or alcohol, if you smoke, or if you use illegal drugs. These may affect the way your medicine works. Check with your health care professional before stopping or starting any of your medicines.

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.

What side effects may I notice from using dimenhydrinate?

Side effects that you should report to your prescriber or health care professional as soon as possible:

• restlessness, nervousness, excitability, not able to sleep (more likely in children)

• incoordination

• blurred vision

• ringing in the ears

• fainting spells

• irregular, slow or fast heartbeat, palpitations, or chest pain

• pain or difficulty passing urine

• seizures (convulsions)

• persistent or unusual rash or hives

• wheezing

• confusion

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your prescriber or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):

• drowsiness, weakness, or tiredness

• dizziness,

• dry mouth

• headache

• loss of appetite

• stomach upset, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or constipation

• sensitivity to light

• reddening of the skin

Where can I keep my medicine?

Keep out of the reach of children.

Store upright at room, approximately 25°C (77°F); do not freeze. Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.

Dimenhydrinate oral solution

What is dimenhydrinate oral solution?

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 oral solution is available.

What should my health care professional know before I use dimenhydrinate?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

• asthma or other lung disease

• constipation

• glaucoma or other eye disease

• head injury

• heart disease

• heart rhythm problems (irregular, fast, or slow heart rate)

• high or low blood pressure

• liver disease

• pain or difficulty passing urine (or other bladder problems)

• phenylketonuria

• porphyria

• prostate trouble

• seizure disorder (convulsions)

• stomach or intestinal problems

• wear contact lenses

• an unusual or allergic reaction to dimenhydrinate, aspirin, tartrazine dye, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives

• pregnant or trying to get pregnant

• breast-feeding

How should I use this medicine?

Take dimenhydrinate tablets by mouth. Follow the directions on the prescription label. Measure the dose with the special dropper or spoon provided. If you are using dimenhydrinate to prevent motion sickness, take the dose at least one-half to 1 hour before travel. If dimenhydrinate upsets your stomach, take it with food or milk. Take your doses at regular intervals. Do not take your medicine more often than directed.

Elderly patients over 65 years old may have a stronger reaction to this medicine and need smaller doses.

Contact your pediatrician or health care professional regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed.

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.

What drug(s) may interact with dimenhydrinate?

• alcohol

• barbiturate medicines for inducing sleep or treating seizures (convulsions)

• medicines for anxiety or sleeping problems, such as diazepam or temazepam

• medicines for hay fever and other allergies

• medicines for mental depression

• medicines for mental problems and psychotic disturbances

• medicines for movement abnormalities as in Parkinson's disease

• some medicines for gastrointestinal problems

Tell your prescriber or health care professional about all other medicines you are taking, including non-prescription medicines, nutritional supplements, or herbal products. Also tell your prescriber or health care professional if you are a frequent user of drinks with caffeine or alcohol, if you smoke, or if you use illegal drugs. These may affect the way your medicine works. Check with your health care professional before stopping or starting any of your medicines.

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.

What side effects may I notice from using dimenhydrinate?

Side effects that you should report to your prescriber or health care professional as soon as possible:

• blurred vision

• confusion

• excitability, restlessness, nervousness, or not able to sleep (more likely in children)

• fainting spells

• incoordination

• irregular, slow or fast heartbeat, palpitations, or chest pain

• pain or difficulty passing urine

• ringing in the ears

• seizures (convulsions)

• persistent or unusual rash or hives

• wheezing

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your prescriber or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):

• dizziness

• drowsiness, weakness, or tiredness

• dry mouth

• headache

• loss of appetite

• reddening of the skin

• sensitivity to light

• stomach upset, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or constipation

Where can I keep my medicine?

Keep out of the reach of children.

Store upright at room temperature between 20 and 25°C (68 and 77°F) in a tight container; do not freeze. Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.