Adult Dosing

Motion sickness

dimenhydrinate (generic)

• 50 mg IM q4-6 hrs as needed
• 50 mg IV over 2 mins q4-6 hrs, diluted in 10 mL of 0.9% sodium chloride injection

Pediatric Dosing

Motion sickness (>2 yrs)

dimenhydrinate (generic)

• 1.25 mg/kg or 37.5 mg/m² IM q4-6 hrs; max: 300 mg/day
• Safety and effectiveness of IV dose has not been established in children

[Outline]

• Adult Dosing
• Pediatric Dosing

• Prevention and treatment of nausea, vomiting and/or vertigo associated with motion sickness

• Hypersensitivity to any of the ingredients of the product
• Patients <2 yrs

• N/A

Renal Dose Adjustments

• Renal impairment: Dose adjustments not defined

Hepatic impairment

• Hepatic impairment: Dose adjustments not defined

See Supplemental Patient Information

• Dimenhydrinate can mask ototoxic symptoms, use cautiously in conjunction with antibiotics that cause ototoxicity
• Dimenhydrinate can impair mental and physical abilities required for the performance of hazardous tasks such as driving or operating machinery. Additive effect is seen with concomitant use of alcohol or other CNS depressants, warn patients accordingly
• Use cautiously in conditions that may be aggravated by anticholinergic therapy, such as prostatic hypertrophy, stenosing peptic ulcer, pyloroduodenal obstruction, narrow angle glaucoma, bladder neck obstruction, bronchial asthma or cardiac arrhythmias
• Do not inject intrarterially
• Antihistamines diminish mental alertness in pediatric patients and can produce excitation in young adults. Overdosage of antihistamines in infants and children can cause hallucinations, convulsions or death

Cautions: Use cautiously in

• Prostatic hypertrophy
• Stenosing peptic ulcer
• Pyloroduodenal obstruction
• Narrow angle glaucoma
• Bladder neck obstruction
• Bronchial asthma
• Cardiac arrhythmia
• Concomitant ototoxic drug
• Concomitant CNS depressant
• Alcohol abuse
• Seizure disorders

Supplemental Patient Information

• Warn patients against driving vehicles and operating machinery, as dimenhydrinate can impair mental and physical abilities
• Advise patient to avoid alcohol and other CNS depressant

Pregnancy Category:B

Breastfeeding: No adverse effects are expected with small occasional doses of dimenhydrinate; however large doses and prolonged use may cause effects in the infant or decrease the milk supply, particularly if used before lactation is well established or in combination with a sympathomimetic such as pseudoephedrine. After the last feeding of the day, single bedtime doses may be adequate for many women and will minimize any effects of the drug. This information is based upon LactMed database (available at http://toxnet.nlm.nih.gov/cgi-bin/sis/htmlgen?LACT last accessed 3 March 2011). As per manufacturer data, small amounts of dimenhydrinate are excreted in human milk, because of the potential for adverse reactions in nursing infants, a decision should be made whether to discontinue nursing or discontinue the drug taking in to account the importance of the drug to the mother.

• CNS: Drowsiness, dizziness, nervousness, restlessness, insomnia, excitation
• CV: Tachycardia
• GI: Dry mouth, anorexia, epigastric distress, nausea
• EENT: Blurred vision, dry nose and throat
• RESP: Thickening of bronchial secretion
• GU: Painful urination
• DERM: Rash

• Antiemetic; antagonizes H1 receptor, inhibits the vestibular stimulation, depresses labyrinthine function and has central anticholinergic action
• Metabolized by liver
• Renally excreted
• Half-life: 1-4 hrs

US Trade Name(s)

• Only generic available

US Availability

dimenhydrinate (generic)

• INJ: 50 mg/mL

Canadian Trade Name(s)

• Gravol

Canadian Availability

dimenhydrinate (generic)

• INJ: 10 mg/mL
• INJ: 50 mg/mL

Gravol

• INJ: 50 mg/mL

UK Trade Name(s)

• N/A

UK Availability

• N/A

Australian Trade Name(s)

• N/A

Australian Availability

• N/A

[Outline]

Gastrointestinal

Antiemetics

Miscellaneous Agents