Dramamine

Drug Uses

Dramamine is an antihistamine and anticholinergic that works by reducing certain chemicals in the brain and preventing nausea, vomiting, and dizziness caused by motion sickness.

How it is taken

Dramamine can be taken by mouth with or without food. Take the first dose about 30 minutes before you start travel or activity.

Missed Dosage

If you miss a dose of Dramamine, then you may take it as soon as you remember and adjust the remaining doses accordingly. However, if it is nearly time for the next dose then you may skip this dose and continue with the regular dosage. Do not take a double dose to make up for the missed dose.

Overdose

Some of the symptoms of a Dramamine overdose are coma, excitement, hallucinations, loss of consciousness, muscle twitching, seizures, severe drowsiness, tremor, weakness.

Warnings/Precautions

Discuss with your doctor about any prior medical condition that you may have including allergies to medicines, food or other substances, if you have a blockage of the stomach, intestine, or urinary tract, difficulty urinating, diabetes, ulcers, enlargement of the prostate, glaucoma, heart disease, irregular heartbeat, high blood pressure, porphyria, or thyroid disease, if you have asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), chronic bronchitis, emphysema, lung disease, shortness of breath, or sleep apnea.

You must not take if you are allergic to any ingredient in it or aking sodium oxybate (GHB) or if you are currently taking or have taken a monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitor (eg, phenelzine) in the past 14 days.

If you are pregnant or suspect that you are, then stop using Dramamine and contact your doctor immediately.

It is unknown whether Dramamine is secreted in breast milk. Avoid breast feeding while using the drug.

Certain drugs can interact with Dramamine and hence, mention clearly to your doctor or pharmacist all medicines, dietary supplements and herbal prescriptions that you are taking.

Dramamine should not be used in children below 2 years of age as the safety and effectiveness of the drug have not been confirmed yet.

Dramamine may make you more sensitive to the sun so please avoid the sun, sunlamps or a tanning booth until you know how your body reacts to the drug. If you cannot avoid going out in the sun for a long while, then wear protective clothing or use a proper sunscreen.

It may lead to a heatstroke also so avoid exercise or other strenuous activities.

Before you begin taking any new prescription or nonprescription medicine, including one used on the skin, read the ingredients to see if it also contains diphenhydramine or another similar medicine (eg, antihistamine). If it does, or if you are uncertain if it does, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

It has been noted that elderly patients are more sensitive to the side effects of the drug. They might need a dosage adjustment or special monitoring throughout the treatment.

Possible Side Effects

Some of the common side effects of are Dizziness, drowsiness, dry mouth, throat, and nose, thickening of mucus in nose or throat. Please contact your doctor if the symptoms persist or become bothersome.

Other severe side effects include allergic reactions (rash, hives, difficulty breathing, tightness in the chest, swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue), chest pain, convulsions, decreased alertness, difficulty urinating, excessive excitability, fast or irregular heartbeat, fever, chills, or sore throat, hallucinations, mental or mood changes, pounding in the chest, seizures, tremor, unusual bruising or bleeding, wheezing, yellowing of the eyes or skin.

You must seek medical attention immediately if any of these side effects occur.