Dramamine (Dimenhydrinate)

Description

Dramamine is a medication used to treat conditions such as nausea, vomiting and dizziness caused as a result of motion sickness. This medication is also known as dimenhydrinate among medical professionals.

How It works

Dramamine is an anticholinergic. Thus, it works by directly affecting the brain. The medication influences the brain to decrease conditions such as nausea and dizziness. This way, the individual is less likely to get sick while travelling.

Uses

The primary ability of this medication is to cure the effects of motion sickness. This includes conditions such as vomiting, nausea and dizziness. This medication is also used to treat dizziness and nausea caused as a result of inner ear infections too.

Dosage

This drug is usually taken by mouth, with or without food. If you are taking this medication in its liquid form, make sure to measure the dosage with a proper measuring device. Do not use a household spoon since you will not be able to get the accurate dose. If you are using chewable tablets, make sure to chew it well before swallowing it.

The dosage is determined by your age, medical condition and response to the treatment. Your physician might prescribe you a low dosage at the beginning of the treatment in order to avoid the risk of side effects. In order to avoid motion sickness, you must take this medication 30 to 60 minutes before you start the journey.

Side Effects

The following are some side effects of Dramamine that you may or may not experience during the treatment period.

 Dry mouth
 Dizziness
 Thickening of mucus in the throat
 Drowsiness
 Irregular heartbeat
 Jaundice
 Unusual bleeding
 Mood changes
 Excessive excitability
 Wheezing

If you experience any of the above during the course of the treatment, call your healthcare provider for immediate medical assistance.

Precautions

By following the precautionary methods given below, you will be able to prevent the side effects of this medication.

 Be careful when using his medication among senior citizens since they are more sensitive to the side effects of this medication

 The safety and effectiveness of Dramamine on children has not been clarified. Thus, do not use this medication on children under the age of 2

 Do not consume alcohol since it will act as a depressant and effect the productiveness of the medication

 Do not exercise outdoors since it can lead to dehydration

 Do not take this medication during periods of pregnancy and breastfeeding since it can affect the health of the baby negatively

 See whether you are allergic to any of the ingredients used in this medication

Self-Care

Do not increase the dosage or use it more often than prescribed. If you make any changes to the dose or the schedule, then you must ask your physician’s opinion first. Increasing the dose will not accelerate the treatment, but will not only increase the risk of side effects.

This medication can increase your sensitivity to the sun to a great extent. Thus, do not hangout in the outdoor environment unnecessarily. If you are going out, make sure to wear enough of sunscreen and lotions to protect yourself from sunburns.