Dimenhydrinate

 Risk Factor: BM
 Class: GASTROINTESTINAL AGENTS / Antiemetics

Contents of this page:

Fetal Risk Summary
Breast Feeding Summary
References
Questions and Answers

Fetal Risk Summary

Dimenhydrinate is the chlorotheophylline salt of the antihistamine diphenhydramine. A prospective study in 1963 compared dimenhydrinate usage in three groups of patients: 266 with malformed infants and two groups of 266 each without malformed infants (1). No difference in usage of the drug was found between the three groups.

The Collaborative Perinatal Project monitored 50,282 mother-child pairs, 319 of which had 1st trimester exposure to dimenhydrinate (2, pp. 367370). For use anytime in pregnancy, 697 exposures were recorded (2, p. 440). In neither case was evidence found to suggest a relationship to large categories of major or minor malformations. Two possible associations with individual malformations were found, but their statistical significance is unknown. The defects noted were cardiovascular defects (five cases) and inguinal hernia (eight cases). Independent confirmation is required to determine the actual risk for these anomalies from dimenhydrinate (2, p. 440).

A number of reports have described the oxytocic effect of IV dimenhydrinate (3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12 and 13). When used either alone or with oxytocin, most studies found a smoother, shorter labor. However, in one study of 30 patients who received a 100-mg dose during 3.5 minutes, some (at least two, but exact number not specified) also showed evidence of uterine hyperstimulation and fetal distress (e.g., bradycardia and loss of beat-to-beat variability) (13). Due to these effects, dimenhydrinate should not be used for this purpose.

Dimenhydrinate has been used for the treatment of hyperemesis gravidarum (14). In 64 women presenting with the condition prior to 13 weeks' gestation, all were treated with dimenhydrinate followed by various other antiemetics. Three of the newborns had integumentary abnormalities consisting of one case of webbed toes with an extra finger, and two cases of skin tags (one preauricular and one sacral). The defects were not thought to be related to the drug therapy (14).

An association between exposure during the last 2 weeks of pregnancy to antihistamines in general and retrolental fibroplasia in premature infants has been reported. See Brompheniramine for details.

Breast Feeding Summary

No reports describing the use of dimenhydrinate during lactation have been located. The molecular weight (about 470) is low enough, however, that excretion into milk should be expected. For a closely related product, see Diphenhydramine.

References

1. Mellin GW, Katzenstein M. Meclozine and fetal abnormalities. Lancet 1963;1:2223.
2. Heinonen OP, Slone D, Shapiro S. Birth Defects and Drugs in Pregnancy. Littleton, MA:Publishing Sciences Group, 1977.
3. Watt LO. Oxytocic effects of dimenhydrinate in obstetrics. Can Med Assoc J 1961;84:5334.
4. Rotter CW, Whitaker JL, Yared J. The use of intravenous Dramamine to shorten the time of labor and potentiate analgesia. Am J Obstet Gynecol 1958:75:11014.
5. Scott RS, Wallace KH, Badley DN, Watson BH. Use of dimenhydrinate in labor. Am J Obstet Gynecol 1962;83:258.
6. Humphreys DW. Safe relief of pain during labor with dimenhydrinate. Clin Med (Winnetka) 1962;69:11658.
7. Cooper K. Failure of dimenhydrinate to shorten labor. Am J Obstet Gynecol 1963;86:10413.
8. Harkins JL, Van Praagh IG, Irwin NT. A clinical evaluation of intravenous dimenhydrinate in labor. Can Med Assoc J 1964;91:1646.
9. Scott RS. The use of intravenous dimenhydrinate in labor. New Physician 1964;13:3027.
10. Klieger JA, Massart JJ. Clinical and laboratory survey into the oxytocic effects of dimenhydrinate in labor. Am J Obstet Gynecol 1965;92:110.
11. Hay TB, Wood C. The effect of dimenhydrinate on uterine contractions. Aust NZ J Obstet Gynaecol 1967;1:819.
12. Shephard B, Cruz A, Spellacy W. The acute effects of Dramamine on uterine contractibility during labor. J Reprod Med 1976;16:278.
13. Hara GS, Carter RP, Krantz KE. Dramamine in labor: potential boon or a possible bomb? J Kans Med Soc 1980;81:1346, 155.
14. Gross S, Librach C, Cecutti A. Maternal weight loss associated with hyperemesis gravidarum: a predictor of fetal outcome. Am J Obstet Gynecol 1989;160:9069.
    
    

Questions and Answers

Is it OK to take Gravol, Dramamine (Dimenhydrinate) to help sleep?, I know that benedryl is a sleep aid but can gravol be used too seeing how it make you drowsy and it is just a salt derivitive of gravol.
Thanks for your help.

The trouble with these medications is that, after prolonged use, they will become ineffective, and then you'll be in a fix if you need them for a bad asthma attack or an insect sting. I realize that the warning on benedryl says to not take it if you have asthma, but my experience with benedryl is the total opposite. Now about sleeping, the Number 1 cause of sleeplessness is noise and the Number 1 worst sound for a human to hear is the the barking of his neighbor's dog. I know what I'm talking about, because my blood pressure suddenly shot up to 248/145 and I could not figure out what caused it to do that. I knew that I was aggravated about our neighbor's dog barking at intermittent times throughout the night and day too, but I thought I had gotten used to that, but apparently my subconscious mind thought differently. Anyway, I got out of that place and moved to another place, and my blood pressure returned to normal. There is no dog barking where I live now. You will get no understanding from the offending neighbor nor will you get understanding from the local government. I have heard of people who have moved to a foreign country to get consideration for dog barking.

how long does the dramamine drug Dimenhydrinate stay in your system?,

Usually a week long ^_^

can you take dimenhydrinate (for motion sickness) and pepto bismol together?, and what is the pregnancy catagory on each?

No real contraindication to take them together, since they act through different mechanisms.

However, seeing that pepto bismol is an antacid I believe, it may interfere with the absorption on the other.

Is Dimenhydrinate a sex drug?, Recently I took some dimenhydrinate tablets, and have the impression that it may intensify sexual demand in men and modify erection duration. It is originally intended as anti-nausea in motion sickness, and is an anti-hystamine by nature. Any opinions?

Dimenhydrinate is an anti-nausea medication available over-the-counter for motion-sickness. It causes drowsiness, possibly dry mouth and dizziness. It has no effect on libido itself; not on 'sexual demand' or 'erection duration'.

In my professional opinion, however, since is essentially a mild sedative (non-addictive, non-narcotic), it may help to calm a person down and help relax them if they are experiencing performance anxiety. The 'placebo effect' has also shown to be a real effect for some people. This is when the medicine is basically harmless/ in active, but the person taking it firmly believes it has a certain power to cure or help them.

Hope this helps,

Dr. Devi

Is it OK to take dimenhydrinate (gravol) with dextromethorphan hydrobromide (benylin)? ?, and guaifenesin (in the Benylin too)? I've checked a drug interaction website but nothing came up...is it ok?

I would think it would be just fine. But to be on the safe side, call your any pharmacist. They are really good about just looking up the drug interactions for you. =)

dimenhydrinate(gravol) allowed in japan?, Is dimenhydrinate allowed into japan without a prescription?

Yes dimenhydrinate (aka Dramamine, Gravol and Vertirosan) is allowed into Japan, Assuming you have a reasonable amount for personal use and not a suitcase full of it.

Lethal Dose of Dimenhydrinate (Gravol)?, Im just *curious*, i cant seem to find much information on google about the lethal dose of dimenhydrinate. On the gravol box it says "Donot exceed 8 pills a day, 400 mg", is that the LETHAL dose, or just a dose that will cause unwanted effects?

I think the reason there is no exact lethal dose is because it varies so much between individuals. The things that make a difference include:
Patient's age, weight, and condition
Name of the product (ingredients and strengths, if known)
Time it was swallowed
Amount swallowed
If the medicine was prescribed for the patient

Symptoms of a dimenhydrinate overdose include drowsiness, seizures or convulsions, difficulty breathing, and death. So perhaps just a small amount too much may cause seizures and convulsions in one person, but death in another.

Just in case you have any thoughts on this please go to the website below:
Cheers

To Oldtrash. Sorry about the spelling. The proper name for It Is.Apo-DimenhydrInate.50mg.?, Can I say I'm sorry again!.
But most of all, Thank you for the Info, But I still didn't get my answer.
(I really don't know how It's spelled, They don't write It on the box. But I'm sure you know what I'm talking about.
(Gravel) (Gravol) Thanks for your consern. Bob.

Gravol is particularly effective in dealing with the nausea or vomiting associated with motion sickness, stomach- and flu-related illness. When taken orally, GRAVOL is quickly absorbed and starts to go to work immediately to calm symptoms. Relief can begin within 15 to 20 minutes and can last up to 8 hours, depending on the dosage form selected.

Gravol and similar medications are used to prevent and treat nausea and vomiting. Some people abuse these drugs because large doses can produce a "high" and hallucinations. They are inexpensive and easy to obtain. At recommended doses, Gravol can cause drowsiness, dizziness and blurred vision. It can impair your concentration and motor coordination.

. Chronic heavy users report problems with depression, confusion, loss of energy, vomiting, urine retention, and difficulty thinking and socializing. If you use this drug for more than a few days, you can develop tolerance to it. You will need to take larger doses to feel the same effects. When dependent users stop taking Gravol, they experience withdrawal symptoms such as excitability, weakness and discomfort, poor appetite, stomach cramps and nausea.