DIMENHYDRINATE BP

Adults:

For motion sickness it is usually given in doses of 50 mg three times daily, the first dose for preventing motion sickness being taken about 30 minutes before the journey. For other treatment, 4-hourly administration may be required.

Doses of 100 mg may be required but a daily total of 300 mg should not usually be exceeded. 5 to 25 mg two to three times daily. Not more than 75 mg should be given in any 24 hours. Do not exceed the stated dose. 7 to 12 years - 25 to 50 mg two to three times daily.

Not more than 150 mg should be given in any 24 hours. Do not exceed the stated dose.

Elderly:

Same as adult dose.

Route of administration:

Oral.

Adverse effects with Dimenhydrinate may vary in incidence and severity from patient to patient. The most common effect is sedation which may vary from slight drowsiness to deep sleep. The drug may be associated with inability to concentrate, lassitude, dizziness, hypotension, muscular weakness and inco-ordination.

When they do occur the sedative effects may diminish after a few days. Rare with Dimenhydrinate are gastro-intestinal side effects. Dimenhydrinate may very rarely produce headache, blurred vision, tinnitus, elation or depression, irritability, nightmares, anorexia, difficulty in micturition, dryness in the mouth, tightness in the chest, tingling, heaviness and weakness of the hands.

Although cardio-vascular side effects are rare, minor increases in blood pressure and occasional mild hypotension have been reported. Leucopenia and rarely agranulocytosis, jaundice and extra-pyramidal reactions have also been reported.

Occasionally hypersensitivity reactions have followed its uses by both mouth or topical application. These include bronchospasm, angioedema, rashes and photosensitivity.

g. dimenhydrinate) may be necessary. Use in children under 6 years old should only be under professional advise. Diphenhyramine should not be taken with cough and cold medicines in children aged 2-6 years old. Children and the elderly are more susceptible to the side effects.

It has been suggested that Dimenhydrinate could mask warning symptoms of damage caused by ototoxic drugs such as the amino-glycoside antibiotics. Patients with rare hereditary problems of galactose intolerance, the Lapp lactase deficiency or glucose-galactose malabsorption should not take this medicine.

Sensitivity to Dimenhydrinate or any of the other ingredients of the tablet. In patients with porphyria. Children under 2 years old.