Index
It is a medicine used for the treatment and prevention of nausea and vomiting during pregnancy or while traveling.
In addition, it can also be used to treat or prevent dizziness and vertigo in case of labyrinthitis .
Dimenhydrinate is marketed under the name Dramin, in the form of 25 or 50 mg tablets, oral solution or gelatinous capsules, and the tablets and oral solution are indicated for adults and children over 2 years of age, 25 mg gelatin capsules for children between 6 and 12 years old and the 50 mg capsules for adults and children over 6 years old.
Functioning
Dimenhydrinate is an antiemetic, a remedy for nausea and vomiting. From a chemical point of view, it is a compound of two separate particles: diphenhydramine and chlorthophylline.
The latter is added as a mild stimulant (similar to caffeine) to relieve fatigue that often occurs associated with the administration of diphenhydramine. The real anti-nausea effect when traveling reveals diphenhydramine.
The brain constantly collects information from the environment through the use of various sensory organs. The functions of the brain, very old in development, often converge in the brainstem, including the evaluation of the position of the body in space and its movement.
When you sit in a vehicle, the brain sees the movement, but does not feel any acceleration through the inner ear at the same speed, and the muscles do not report any movement. This conflicting information causes the brainstem to call a wake-up call that manifests itself in malaise, nausea, and dizziness.
The active ingredient dimenhydrinate passes through the bloodstream to a region in the back of the brain stem, which is called the “Area postmas.” There are many dockers for messengers (including acetylcholine and histamine) and toxins in the blood that cause nausea and vomiting.
Dimenhydrinate blocks these docking sites and therefore mediates their action, relieving nausea and vomiting.
After ingestion, dimenhydrinate passes through the intestine into the bloodstream. It is broken down in the liver over a period of three to six hours and is excreted in the urine through the kidneys.
Management
The mode of use of dimenhydrinate varies according to the form of presentation of the remedy:
pills
Adults and adolescents over 12 years: 1 tablet every 4 to 6 hours, before or during meals, up to the maximum dose of 400 mg or 4 tablets per day.
Oral solution
Children between 2 and 6 years: 5 to 10 ml of solution every 6 to 8 hours, not exceeding 30 ml per day.
Children between 6 and 12 years: 10 to 20 ml of solution every 6 to 8 hours, not exceeding 60 ml per day.
Adults and adolescents over 12 years: 20 to 40 ml of solution every 4 to 6 hours, not exceeding 160 ml per day.
Gelatin capsules
Children between 6 and 12 years: 1 to 2 capsules of 25 mg or 1 capsule of 50 mg every 6 to 8 hours, not exceeding 150 mg per day;
Adults and adolescents over 12 years: 1 to 2 capsules of 50 mg every 4 to 6 hours, not to exceed 400 mg or 8 capsules per day.
In case of travel, dimenhydrinate should be administered at least half an hour in advance and the dose should be adjusted by the doctor in case of liver failure.
Collateral damage
The main side effects of dimenhydrinate include sedation, drowsiness, headaches, dry mouth, blurred vision, urinary retention, dizziness, insomnia, and irritability.
Contraindications
Dimenhydrinate is contraindicated in patients with allergies to the components of the formula and in patients with porphyria. In addition, Dramin in tablets is contraindicated for children under 12 years of age, Dramin in oral solution is contraindicated for children under 2 years of age and Dramin in gelatin capsules for children under 6 years of age.
In addition, the use of dimenhydrinate with tranquilizers, sedatives and with the ingestion of alcohol is contraindicated.
Interactions
Combined use with other agents, even at different times of the day, can lead to interactions.
If dimenhydrinate is combined with centrally acting ( psychotropic ) medications or alcohol, the depressive or exciting effect may be increased.
Taking certain antidepressant medications (amitriptyline, imipramine, tranylcypromine, moclobemide) can increase side effects, such as dry mouth and constipation .
Antihypertensive medications may be more effective if additional dimenhydrinate is taken. Therefore, the intake should be clarified in advance with the doctor.
