Generic Dimenhydrinate

Common use

Dimenhydrinate is used to treat sea and air sickness, Meniere's disease, to prevent and treat symptoms of vestibular and labyrinth disorders (dizziness, nausea, vomiting, except for symptoms caused by anticancer chemotherapy). Active substance of the drug is Dimenhydrinate, it blocks histamine H1-receptors and m-cholinergic receptors of central nervous system, inhibits hyperstimulated functioning of the labyrinth. Dimenhydrinate reduces dizziness, has antiemetic, anti-vomiting, sedative, and mild anti-allergic effect. The results of its action are manifested in 20-30 minutes and continue for 4-6 hours



Dosage and direction

To prevent sea or air sickness take Dimenhydrinate at least 30 minutes before the planned trip. Adults and adolescents under 14 years of age should take 50-100 mg, children between 2-6 years of age should take 25-50 mg, and children between 7-14 years should take 50 mg dose of Dimenhydrinate. For vestibular disorders adults should take 50-100 mg (each for hours if necessary) but not more than 400 mg a day; for children reduction of the dose is needed. Take exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Take with a full glass of water.



Precautions

This medicine may change your ability to concentrate attention, to drive, and operate machinery. Be especially cautious performing any hazardous activities or refuse from doing it due to possible dizziness, drowsiness, or blurred vision caused by Dimenhydrinate. Limit intake of alcoholic beverages as it increases drowsiness and dizziness while you are taking dimenhydrinate.



Contraindications

Dimenhydrinate cannot be used in the patients with hypersensitivity to the components of the drug, asthma, epilepsy and in children under two years of age.



Possible side effect

Besides possible allergic reaction (facial swelling, hives, rash) Dimenhydrinate may cause drowsiness or dizziness, restlessness, tiredness, insomnia, inability to concentrate attention, excitation, nervousness, or insomnia, blurred or double vision, weakness of night and color vision, accommodation disorders, dry mouth, nose, or throat, decreased appetite, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea, difficulty urinating, or an irregular or fast heartbeat. If you experience side effects listed above and they become bothersome inform your doctor about it.



Drug interaction

Dimenhydrinate enhances the effects of atropine, tricyclic antidepressants, catecholamines, barbiturates, alcohol, sedatives and hypnotics, neuroleptics, weakens - corticosteroids, anticoagulants. Response to apomorphine is diminised by Dimenhydrinate. Dimenhydrinate also reduces depressive effect of acetylcholine on the heart muscle. Concomitant use of Dimenhydrinate with bismuth, scopolamine, anesthetics and psychotropic drugs make vision disorders more likely to occur. Dimenhydrinate is incompatible with ototoxic antibiotics (viomitsin, amikacin, streptomycin, neomycin, kanamycin) and may cause the development of irreversible hearing loss.



Missed dose

Never take a double dose of this medication. If it is almost time of the next dose just skip the missed portion and continue to take the medicine according to the schedule.



Overdose

Dimenhydrinate overdose symptoms may include fatigue, drowsiness, headache, dizziness, itching and skin vasodilation, mydriasis (excessive dilation of the pupil), slow reaction of pupils to light, accommodation disturbances, nystagmus (involuntary eye movement), amyotonia and tendon reflexes, urinary retention, tachycardia, changes in blood pressure. Symptoms of depressed central nervous system caused by Dimenhydrinate may include slurred speech, orientation in time and space, ataxia, coma, respiratory depression, excitation of the central nervous system; in children hallucinations, convulsions, and death may occur.



Storage

Store Dimenhydrinate at room temperature between 20 and 25 degrees C (68 and 77 degrees F) away from moisture and heat.



Disclaimer

We provide only general information about medications which does not cover all directions, possible drug integrations, or precautions. Information at the site cannot be used for self-treatment and self-diagnosis. Any specific instructions for a particular patient should be agreed with your health care adviser or doctor in charge of the case. We disclaim reliability of this information and mistakes it could contain. We are not responsible for any direct, indirect, special or other indirect damage as a result of any use of the information on this site and also for consequences of self-treatment.

Clinical Verification

Last Clinically Updated: August 15, 2026

Written By

Dr. Elena Vance, PharmD

Clinical Specialist in Neuropharmacology

Fact Checked By

Marcus Thorne, MS

Biomedical Data & FDA Label Verification

Medically Reviewed By

Dr. Arthur Campbell, MD

Board-Certified Psychiatrist (ABPN)