Dimenhydrinate falls into the classification of drugs considered antihistamines; they are used to combat allergies. However, this faithful drug has some other very interesting uses that will surely interest you in this particular case.
Continue reading this FastlyHealarticle in which we explain what Dimenhydrinate is for, what its doses are, and what its presentations are.
Table of Contents
What is Dimenhydrinate for
Basically, and in the simplest way, Dimenhydrinate is used to treat:
- The allergies.
- Dizziness.
- Nausea and vomiting in travelers.
Mechanism of action
Next, we explain how these actions occur:
As we have mentioned before, it is a drug classified as an antihistamine. This means that at the level of your body, it fights with histamine to occupy the same site (histamine H1 receptors), thus reversing its allergic action. However, it is also considered antivertiginous, antiemetic, and anticholinergic with antimuscarinic action.
Just as histamine has receptors in the cells of your body to exert its harmful action, there is a molecule that your body produces called acetylcholine, which has similar and specific receptors called cholinergic receptors. There are two types of these cholinergic receptors: nicotinic and muscarinic, and acetylcholine will act according to the receptor to which it binds.
Dimenhydrinate would then compete with acetylcholine for the site on muscarinic receptors, limiting or preventing its action. This is how, at the level of your ear, it acts on two structures responsible for producing vertigo: the vestibule and the labyrinth. It decreases the action of acetylcholine in the hall and depresses the function of the maze, thus preventing vertigo or dizziness in travelers.
Acting on these same receptors in your stomach inhibits or reduces hypersecretion and movements by the stomach, thereby helping to avoid vomiting. And working on the vestibule and stomach would help eliminate nausea, which is produced by the joint action of both organs.
In addition, there is talk of a mechanism at a “central” level (in the brain) that is not well understood that would contribute additionally to all these effects of Dimenhydrinate.
It is the only antihistamine with these additional actions. One of the few in use today induces drowsiness (by central action, too), which helps make your trip more pleasant, even if you don’t enjoy the scenery.
Dimenhydrinate: dosis
Dimenhydrinate doses for the prevention of travel sickness, nausea, and vomiting are:
- Adults: One or two 50 mg tablets or a 100 mg suppository, 30-60 minutes before starting the trip.
- Children (6-12 years): 25-50 mg orally or half a 50 mg suppository, 30-60 minutes before starting the trip, and then every 6-8 hours.
- Children (6-12 years): 10-15 mg orally or a 50 mg suppository, 30-60 minutes before the trip, and then every 6-8 hours.
Dimenhydrinate doses for the treatment of traveler’s dizziness, nausea and vomiting are:
- Adults: 50-100 mg every 4-6 hours.
- Children (6-12 years): 25-50 mg orally every 6-8 hours.
- Children (6-12 years): 10-15 mg orally every 6-8 hours.
Maximum doses
- Adults and the elderly: 400 mg daily by mouth; 300 mg daily parenterally (intramuscular or intravenous).
- Children (6-12 years): 150 mg daily orally; 300 mg per day parenterally.
- Children (2-5 years): 75 mg daily by mouth; 300 mg per day parenterally.
Dimenhydrinate: presentation
The presentations of Dimenhydrinate will vary depending on the country where you are. In some, it will be achieved in all presentations, and others only some of them, so your doctor will have the appropriate final indication:
- 12.5 mg / 5 ml oral solution.
- 20 mg / 5 ml oral solution.
- Ampoules of 25 and 50 mg / ml.
- 50 mg tablets.
- 25 mg infant tablet.
- 100 mg adult suppositories.
- 25 mg pediatric suppositories.
- 20 mg medicated gum.
Dimenhydrinate: side effects
Like all medicines, Dimenhydrinate can have some side effects in some people. Among the most common side effects are:
- Headaches.
- Dry mouth
- Difficulty urinating.
- Dizziness
- Drowsiness.
- Altered heart rhythm
- Dilation of the pupil of the eye.
If you present these symptoms, stop the treatment and consult your doctor.
This article is merely informative, at FastlyHeal .com we do not have the power to prescribe medical treatments or make any type of diagnosis. We invite you to see a doctor in the case of presenting any type of condition or discomfort.
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I am a Surgeon with a diploma in comprehensive ultrasound and surgical care residency, an area I am specializing in. During the exercise of my profession, I have realized the need for patients to know the diseases they suffer, and I can tell you that a large part of their complications is due to a lack of information. Being a health web writer allows me to transmit my experience, without borders, to all those readers eager for knowledge, educate them in the prevention of diseases and promote a healthy lifestyle.