Dramamine Tablet: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Precautions and Alternates

Quick overview

Dramamine Tablet (dimenhydrinate) is an over-the-counter antihistamine from the anticholinergic antiemetic drug class. It is used in adults and children at least 2 years old to treat or prevent nausea, vomiting, and dizziness caused by motion sickness. It works by blocking histamine and calming signals from the inner ear and brain that trigger nausea. It is available in several forms, including chewable tablets, tablets, capsules, liquid, and injection.

What is Dramamine Tablet

Dramamine is an over-the-counter antihistamine medicine used in adults and children at least 2 years old to treat or prevent nausea, vomiting, and dizziness caused by motion sickness.

Dramamine Tablet uses

• Prevent and treat nausea caused by motion sickness
• Prevent and treat vomiting caused by motion sickness
• Prevent and treat dizziness caused by motion sickness

Benefits of Dramamine Tablet

• Helps prevent and reduce symptoms of motion sickness
• Reduces nausea and vomiting during travel
• Helps relieve dizziness
• Reduces stomach discomfort related to motion sickness
• Helps lower overall discomfort during travel

How Dramamine Tablet works

Dramamine blocks a body chemical called histamine. It may also calm the inner ear and block certain brain chemicals that trigger nausea and vomiting, which helps your body keep its sense of balance.

Dramamine Tablet dosage

Use exactly as directed on the label, or as your doctor prescribes, and do not use more often or in larger amounts than directed. For best results, take it 30 to 60 minutes before traveling or before any activity that may cause motion sickness. Chewable tablets must be chewed or crushed completely before swallowing — do not swallow them whole.

If you miss a dose and are on a regular schedule, skip the missed dose; do not take two doses at once. People 65 and older may react more strongly and may need a smaller dose, so check with a healthcare provider. Do not give this medicine to a child without medical advice.

Available forms and strengths

• Chewable tablet
• Tablet
• Capsule
• Liquid/syrup
• Injection

Side effects of Dramamine Tablet

Common

• Drowsiness
• Dizziness
• Dry mouth, nose, or throat
• Blurred vision
• Headache
• Loss of appetite or upset stomach
• Nervousness, restlessness, or trouble sleeping (especially in children)
• Constipation
• Thicker mucus in the lungs
• Confusion

Serious

• Signs of an allergic reaction such as hives, difficulty breathing, or swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
• Severe drowsiness
• Wheezing, trouble breathing, or a severe or worsening cough
• Blurred vision, eye pain or redness, or seeing halos around lights
• Painful or difficult urination or trouble passing urine
• Racing heart, fever, or general ill feeling
• Swollen lymph nodes or throat tightness
• Severe confusion or hallucinations, especially at high doses

Warnings and precautions

• Do not use this medicine if you are allergic to it. Ask a doctor or pharmacist before use if you have an enlarged prostate or trouble urinating, breathing problems like emphysema or chronic bronchitis, glaucoma, or if you recently used alcohol, sedatives, or tranquilizers. 
• The chewable tablet may contain phenylalanine, so tell your doctor if you have phenylketonuria (PKU). Do not give this medicine to a child without medical advice.
• Using this medicine with other drugs that cause drowsiness, such as opioids, sleeping pills, muscle relaxers, sedatives, tranquilizers, or anxiety or seizure medicine, can worsen drowsiness, so check with a doctor first. 
• At high doses, this medicine can cause severe confusion, a feeling of extreme well-being, and hallucinations; some people misuse it this way, which can be dangerous.
• If you are pregnant, ask a doctor before using this medicine. It is not known for certain how this medicine could affect pregnancy or an unborn baby.
• This medicine passes into breast milk, so ask a doctor before using it if you are breastfeeding.
• Tell your care team if you have liver disease before taking this medicine.
• Avoid drinking alcohol while taking this medicine, since it can make drowsiness and other side effects worse.
• Avoid driving or doing anything that requires full alertness until you know how this medicine affects you, since it can cause dizziness or drowsiness that may lead to falls or accidents.

Storage

• Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat
• Store at room temperature between 68°F and 77°F (20°C and 25°C)
• Do not use if the packet is torn
• Get rid of any unused medication after the expiration date
• Take unused or expired medication to a medication take-back program when possible, or follow label/package instructions for disposal in household trash, mixed with something like cat litter or coffee grounds, sealed in a bag

When to see a doctor

• Get emergency medical help right away if you have signs of an allergic reaction, such as hives, trouble breathing, or swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
• Call your doctor right away if you have severe drowsiness, wheezing or trouble breathing, a severe or worsening cough, blurred vision, eye pain or redness, seeing halos around lights, or painful or difficult urination
• Stop using this medicine and get help right away if you cannot empty your bladder or have trouble urinating
• Seek immediate medical care if you have severe confusion, severe eye pain, or hallucinations
• If you think you have taken too much of this medicine, get medical help or contact a poison control center right away

Alternatives

• Ondansetron
• Diphenhydramine
• Meclizine