DimenhyDRINATE

Pronunciation

(dye men HYE dri nate)

U.S. Brand Names

Dramamine® [OTC]; TripTone® [OTC]

Generic Available

Yes

Canadian Brand Names

Apo-Dimenhydrinate®; Gravol®; Novo-Dimenate

Use

Treatment and prevention of nausea, vertigo, and vomiting associated with motion sickness

Pregnancy Risk Factor

Contraindications

Hypersensitivity to dimenhydrinate or any component

Warnings/Precautions

Causes sedation, caution must be used in performing tasks which require alertness (eg, operating machinery or driving). Sedative effects of CNS depressants or ethanol are potentiated. Use with caution in patients with angle-closure glaucoma, pyloroduodenal obstruction (including stenotic peptic ulcer), urinary tract obstruction (including bladder neck obstruction and symptomatic prostatic hyperplasia), hyperthyroidism, increased intraocular pressure, and cardiovascular disease (including hypertension and tachycardia). May cause paradoxical excitation in pediatric patients, and can result in hallucinations, coma, and death in overdose.

Adverse Reactions

>10%:

Central nervous system: Slight to moderate drowsiness

Respiratory: Thickening of bronchial secretions

1% to 10%:

Central nervous system: Headache, fatigue, nervousness, dizziness

Gastrointestinal: Appetite increase, weight gain, nausea, diarrhea, abdominal pain, xerostomia

Neuromuscular & skeletal: Arthralgia

Respiratory: Pharyngitis

Drug Interactions

Increased effect/toxicity with CNS depressants, anticholinergics, TCAs, MAO inhibitors

Increased toxicity of antibiotics, especially aminoglycosides (ototoxicity)

Ethanol/Nutrition/Herb Interactions

Ethanol: Avoid ethanol (may increase CNS depression).

Mechanism of Action

Competes with histamine for H1-receptor sites on effector cells in the gastrointestinal tract, blood vessels, and respiratory tract; blocks chemoreceptor trigger zone, diminishes vestibular stimulation, and depresses labyrinthine function through its central anticholinergic activity

Pharmacodynamics/Kinetics

Onset of action: Oral: ~15-30 minutes

Absorption: Oral: Well absorbed

Dosage

Oral:

Children:

2-5 years: 12.5-25 mg every 6-8 hours, maximum: 75 mg/day

6-12 years: 25-50 mg every 6-8 hours, maximum: 150 mg/day

Adults: 50-100 mg every 4-6 hours, not to exceed 400 mg/day

Dietary Considerations

May be taken with food or water.

Patient Education

May cause drowsiness, may impair judgment and coordination; avoid alcohol; drink plenty of fluids for dry mouth and to prevent constipation

Dental Health: Effects on Dental Treatment

Key adverse event(s) related to dental treatment: Significant xerostomia (normal salivary flow resumes upon discontinuation).

Dental Health: Vasoconstrictor/Local Anesthetic Precautions

No information available to require special precautions

Mental Health: Effects on Mental Status

Drowsiness is common; may cause depression, nervousness, or paradoxical CNS stimulation

Mental Health: Effects on Psychiatric Treatment

Concurrent use with psychotropic may result in additive sedation

Dosage Forms

Caplet (TripTone®): 50 mg

Tablet (Dramamine®): 50 mg

Tablet, chewable (Dramamine®): 50 mg [contains phenylalanine 1.5 mg/tablet and tartrazine; orange flavor]

International Brand Names

Amosyt® (SE); Anautin® (EC); Anautin SAD® (DK); Antemin® (CH); Anti-Em® (TR); Antimo® (ID); Apo-Dimenhydrinate® (CA, SG); Aviomarin® (PL); Biodramina® (ES, GT, SV); Cinfamar® (ES); Contramareo® (ES); Daedalon® (HU); Dekatravel® (BE); Denim® (TH); Dimenate® (HK, SG); Dimen Heumann® (DE); Dimenidrinato® (IT); Dimen Lichtenstein® (DE); Dimeno® (TH); Dimigal® (YU); Dimin® (TH); Dramamine® (AR, AU, BE, CY, EG, FR, HK, ID, IE, IL, IN, JO, KW, LB, LU, MT, MX, NL, PT, SG, SY, TH, TR, ZA); Dramanyl® (HN, SV); Dramavit® (BR); Dramavol® (GT, HN, PA, SV); Dramina® (HR, RU); Dramin® (BR); Dramnate® (IN); Emedyl® (AT); Enjomin® (PT); Gravol® (CA, HK, IN, TH); Lomarin® (IT); Mareamin® (CL); Mareol® (CO); Motivan® (TH); Motozina® (IT); Nausicalm® (FR); Navamin® (TH); Novo-Dimenate (CA); Paranausine® (BE, LU); Pasedol® (CO); Reisegold® (DE); Reisetabletten® (DE); Reisetabletten Lünopharm® (DE); Reisetabletten-ratiopharm® (DE); Reisetabletten Stada® (DE); Rodavan® (DE); RubieMen® (DE); Solbrine® (CH); Superpep® (DE); Travamin® (IL); Travel-Gum® (AT, CZ, IT); Travel Well® (ES); Trawell® (CH); Vagomine® (BE, LU); Valontan® (IT); Vertigo-Vomex® (DE); Vertirosan® (AT); Viabom® (PT); Vomacur® (DE); Vomex A® (DE); Vomidrine® (PT); Vominar® (TH); Vomisin® (MX); Xamamina® (IT, TR)

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