Dimenhydrinate (Dramamine)

Category:

  • Antihistamine

Description:

  • Anitvertigo agent, antihistamine

Indications:

  • Prevention and treatment of motion sickness

Contraindications:

  • Neonates (IV products may contain benzyl alcohol)

Precautions:

  • Pregnancy category B; has been used for the treatment of hyperemesis gravidarum; small amounts excreted in breast milk; use caution in nursing mothers

  • Children, protstatic hypertrophy, stenosing peptic ulcer, pyloroduodenal obstruction

  • Bladder neck obstruction, narrow-angle glaucoma, cardiac dysrhythmias, elderly

Adverse Reactions (Side Effects):

  • CNS: confusion, dizziness, drowsiness, excitation, headache, heaviness and weakness of hands, insomnia (especially in children), lassitude, nervousness, tingling, vertigo

  • CV: palpitations, tachycardia

  • EENT: blurring of vision, diplopia, nasal stuffiness

  • GI: anorexia, constipation, diarrhea, dry mouth, epigastric distress, nausea, vomiting

  • GU: difficult or painful urination

  • HEME: hemolytic anemia

  • SKIN: drug rash, photosensitivity, urticaria

Dosage:

Administered orally, intravenously, intramuscularly

  • Adult: PO 50-100mg every 4-6 hours, do not exceed 400mg daily; IM/IV 50mg as needed

  • Child 6-12 years: PO 25-50mg every 6-8 hours, do not exceed 150mg daily; IM 1.25 mg/kg or 37.5mg per meter square 4 times daily, do not exceed 300mg daily

  • Child 2-6 years: PO 12.5-25mg every 6-8 hours, do not exceed 75mg daily

 

 

Source: Operational Medicine 2001,  Health Care in Military Settings, NAVMED P-5139, May 1, 2001, Bureau of Medicine and Surgery, Department of the Navy, 2300 E Street NW, Washington, D.C., 20372-5300  

Gynecology and Obstetrics CD-ROM
Volumes 1-6
2004 Edition
Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
Copyright 2004
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