Dimenhydrinate is a medicine from the group of H1 antihistamines and is used to treat nausea and vomiting. According to the chemical structure, it is classified in the group of ethanolamine. In addition to antihistaminic effect, this drug also exerts an antidepressant and antiemetic effect (relieve vomiting). Because of its antiemetic effects it is often used in the treatment of kinetosis (motion sickness).
Contraindications and precautions
Dimenhydrinate is contraindicated in the following conditions:
Pheochromocytoma , Hypertrophy of prostate, Porphyria, Epilepsy, Acute exudative and bullous, Hypersensitivity to dimenhydrinate or any other similar substance, skin reactions, Children younger than 2 years, Closed-angle glaucoma, Pregnancy, Breastfeeding, Co-administration with drugs that are used to treat heart diseases, Concomitant use with alcohol Concomitant use with sedatives or anesthetics
Precaution:
Dimenhydrinate should be administered cautiously in the following situations:
•In patients older than 70 years (elderly patients are more sensitive to this drug, and because of that they may experience hypotension, dizziness and constipation)
•In patients who have severe kidney or liver problems. Dimenhydrinate is metabolized by the liver and eliminated by the kidneys. So, if you have damage of these organs, Dimenhydrinate may be accumulated in your body which can lead to its toxic effects.
•In patients with hyperthyroidism.
•In patients who are allergic to the drug called pamabrom (a water pill). A case of erythema multiform in patients who are allergic to pamabrom but took Dimenhidrinate was reported.
•In patients with hypertension and bradycardia.
•In patients with hypomagnesaemia.
•In patients with hypokalemia.
Dimenhydrinate, pregnancy and breastfeeding
Dimenhydrinate must not be used during the last week of pregnancy because it can cause uterine hyper stimulation which can significantly slow down the fetal heart rate!
Dimenhydrinate is excreted in to breast milk in studies that have investigated the effects of dimenhydrinate in infant whose mothers took this drug. It was found that these infants are at higher risk of irritability and colic syndrome
Dosage
The usual dose for patients older than 14 years is 50-100 mg half an hour before the planed trip. If nausea persist you can take this drug again after 6 hours.
In children aged5-14 years old, the recommended dose is 25-50 mg half an hour before the trip.
You can crumble the pill before giving it to your child.
Dimenhydrinate can be taken regardless of

Interaction
Dimenhydrinate must not be used in combination with the following drugs:
Narcotic analgesics (e.g.propoxyphen) concomitant use increases the risk of neurological side effect. , preparation of potassium, concomitant use increase the risk of gastrointestinal side effect, Topiramate and zonisamide co-administration of dimenhydrinate with these drugs increase the body temperature while reducing sweating. This can lead to heat stroke, sodium oxybate(a drug used in the treatment of cataplexy attacks) concomitant use increases the risk of neurological side effects, tricyclic antidepressants, co-administration of these drugs leads to an increases risk of anticholinergic side effects, sedatives, dimenhydrinate may increase the sedative effects these drugs, aminoglycoside antibiotics(streptomycin, gentamycin, amikacin, and kanamycin) these drugs can cause toxicity (loss of hearing) and dimenhydrinate can musk the symptoms.
Side effect
Dimenhydrinate may cause the following side effect:
Blurred vision, Low blood pressure, low blood pressure, ringing in the ears, excitation, xerostomia, anemia, leukemia, impaired concentration, confusion, hallucination, cholestatic jaundice, urinary retention,
If you are any concerns or question about your health, you should always consult with a physician or other health-care