Dimenhydrinate is used to prevent and treat nausea, vomiting, and dizziness associated with motion sickness.
What is Dimenhydrinate?
Dimenhydrinate is an antihistamine and anticholinergic. It acts directly on the brain by reducing nausea, vomiting and dizziness.
How should Dimenhydrinate be taken?
Dimenhydrinate can be administered orally or by injections (intramuscular or directly into the vein).
Side effects associated with Dimenhydrinate
Dimenhydrinate increases the risk of a heat stroke and increases the skin's sensitivity to the sun.
Among his other possible adverse effects are included:
- Dizziness
- Drowsiness
- Dry mouth and nose
- Thickening the mucus in the nose and throat
You should immediately contact a doctor if taking Dimenhydrinate triggers any of the following symptoms:
- Rash
- Urticaria
- Itching
- Difficulty breathing
- Pain or tightness in the chest
- Swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue
- Convulsions
- Reduction of alertness or vigilance
- Difficulty passing urine
- Excessive excitability
- Fast or irregular heartbeat
- Fever, chills, sore throat
- Hallucinations
- Changes in mood or behavior
- Tremors
- Bruising or bleeding
- Wheezing
- Jaundice
Contraindications and warnings associated with the use of Dimenhydrinate
Dimenhydrinate should not be taken during breastfeeding or if you are being treated with sodium oxybate or MAO inhibitors (even if the intake of the latter was discontinued within 14 days).
Dimenhydrinate can compromise the ability to drive and operate dangerous machinery, especially if taken in combination with alcohol or other drugs.
Moreover, before starting the treatment it is important to tell your doctor if:
- You have any allergies to the active substance, to other components or to other drugs or foods
- You are taking other medications, herbal remedies and supplements, citing in particular other medicines containing Dimenhydrinate, sodium oxybate, MAO inhibitors and antibiotics
- You suffer (or have suffered) from asthma, COPD, chronic bronchitis, emphysema, lung disease, shortness of breath, sleep apnea, gastrointestinal blocks or urinary tract, difficulty urinating, diabetes, ulcers, prostatic hypertrophy, glaucoma, diseases or cardiac arrhythmias, high blood pressure, porphyria or thyroid disease
- You are pregnant or breastfeeding