Dramamine For Kids: Safety, Side Effects And Precautions

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Dramamine is an antiemetic formulated from the generic drug dimenhydrinate and is useful for alleviating symptoms of motion sickness (kinetosis) such as nausea and vomiting. Dramamine for kids is usually available in chewable grape-flavored pills or tablets and is often used as an over-the-counter drug (1).

Dimenhydrinate, a first-generation drug, consists of diphenhydramine and 8-chlorotheophylline with antihistamineⁱXA class of medications used to treat allergies by blocking the action of histamines (allergens) properties. The medicine works by reversing histamine’s effects that trigger the allergic reaction, leading to vomiting (2).

This post will help you understand the safety profile of Dramamine for kids.

In This Article

Safety Of Dramamine For Children

Dramamine is considered safe for children aged two and above. It must not be used for children below two years unless prescribed by a pediatrician.You are advised to always consult a doctor before prescribing Dramamine to your child (3).

Dramamine Dosage For Children

Dramamine can be used to prevent an episode of motion sickness if your child takes a dose 30 minutes to one hour before traveling in boats, airplanes, or going for car rides. The recommended dosage is as follows (3).

Age (in years)	Dose	Maximum dose
2 to 5	½ to 1 tablet every 6-8 hours.	3 tablets in 24 hours or as directed by the doctor
6 to under 12	1 to 2 tablets every 6-8 hours	6 tablets in 24 hours or as directed by a doctor

It is advisable to start with the lowest dose and increase it only if it does not work. Also, read the labels carefully before prescribing Dramamine to children.

Point to consider

Dramamine’s original formula contains 50mg of Dimenhydrinate per tablet whereas the product for kids contains 25mg of the drug. Do read labels carefully before using the drug for children (11).

Dramamine’s Mechanism Of Action

Uneasiness, nausea, and vomiting during traveling are the common symptoms of motion sickness. The brain maintains the body’s balance by analyzing signals from different body areas such as the eyes, inner ear (vestibule), intestine, and various motion-sensitive subcutaneous tissues (proprioceptors). Any mismatch can cause motion sickness.

NeurotransmittersⁱXChemical messengers in the brain that send signals throughout the body to carry out its vital functions such as acetylcholine, histamine, serotonin, glycine, and noradrenaline help forward mismatched signals to the vomiting center in the brain stem. Dimenhydrinate can block the central effects of both histamine and acetylcholine to act as an antiemetic (a drug that prevents vomiting). Additionally, it may prevent spasms in the gut by blocking the action of histamine on the intestinal muscles. However, the exact mechanism is unknown (4)(5).

Quick fact

Dimenhydrinate may be used to treat Meniere’s disease, an inner ear condition which causes dizziness, loss of balance, and ringing in the ears (12).

Dramamine Side Effects In Children

As with most medications, Dramamine has side effects. The most common side effects in children include (4)

Drowsiness.

Dizziness.

Muscle weakness.

The less common ones include

Increased excitement.

Restlessness.

Dry mouth and nasal passages.

Blocked nose.

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Blurry vision.

Increased heartbeat.

Consult your healthcare provider if any of these side effects become severe or your child experiences some other adverse effects.

Drug Interactions With Dramamine

Some drugs may cause unwanted or dangerous effects when administered with Dramamine. Talk to your doctor if your child is on the following medications (6)(7).

Anti-allergy or cold medications, such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl) or cetirizine (Zyrtec)

Antidepressants, such as sertraline (Zoloft)

Antianxiety drugs, such as fluoxetine (Prozac)

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AntiepilepticⁱXAbility of a substance or medicine to control or treat seizures or convulsions by blocking abnormal brain activity drugs, such as valproate (Depakene)

These medications may depress the central nervous system and increase the severity of side effects encountered with Dramamine.

Precautions To Take When Using Dramamine

Dramamine is a non-prescription medication readily available in any pharmacy. However, take the following safety precautions when administering it to your child (3)(8).

Always consult your pediatrician before giving Dramamine if your child has breathing disorders, such as asthma or seizures.

Seek medical advice if your child has recently undergone any surgery, including dental surgery.

Ensure your child is not allergic to dimenhydrinate or any other inactive ingredient of Dramamine (aspartame, citric acid, magnesium stearate, methacrylic acid copolymer, sorbitol).

Do not use it if the blister pack has been tampered with. Store Dramamine at room temperature (20°C to 25°C).

Ensure the child chews the tablet before swallowing it.

The medication should be used under medical supervision if the child has phenylketonuriaⁱXA rare inherited disorder caused by an excess of phenylalanine in the body, leading to severe brain abnormalities (an inherited condition that requires diet restrictions). Dramamine chewable tablets contain aspartame as a sweetener, which converts to phenylalanine.

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Dramamine affects alertness in children. So, ensure they avoid activities such as cycling or skateboarding.

Consult with your pharmacist before giving any other OTC drug or any herbal preparation.

Keep Dramamine out of children’s reach.

Symptoms Of Dramamine Overdose

Children may accidentally overdose on Dramamine. In such a case, watch out for the following symptoms (6).

Dilated pupils

Seizures

Hallucination

Extreme drowsiness

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Irritation and restlessness

Dramamine can alter the actions of many neurotransmitters and cause these effects. Seek emergency medical attention if you notice any of these symptoms in your child.

Point to consider

There are two more products under the brand – Dramamine nausea long lasting for children above 12 years and Dramamine ginger chews for children above six years (13).

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Does Dramamine put children to sleep?

Dramamine is a brand name that has multiple products. Products containing Dimenhydrinate as the active ingredient may cause sleepiness as a side effect in children but are not meant to be used as sleeping aids. However, the ones having Meclizine as the active drug (usually labeled “less drowsy”) may show this side effect to a lesser extent (9).

2. Are Dramamine and Benadryl the same?

No, they are not the same. Benadryl contains the drug Diphenhydramine as the main active ingredient, whereas Dramamine contains Dimenhydrinate, which is a combination of two drugs (Diphenhydramine and 8-chlorotheophylline) (2) (10).

3. Is Dramamine good for treating anxiety in children?

Dramamine is primarily used to treat symptoms of motion sickness such as nausea, vomiting, and dizziness. When taken in large doses, dimenhydrinate can have psychoactive effects. However, it is not typically used to treat anxiety in children (14). If your child is experiencing anxiety, it is important to speak with a healthcare professional to determine the appropriate treatment.

Doctors generally prescribe Dramamine for kids if they experience motion sickness. However, consult your pediatrician before the trip to check if the medicine is suitable for your child, especially if they are on any other medications. Also, ask your doctor for alternatives if the child has taken Dramamine previously and experienced any side effects. Further, if your child complains of discomfort after taking the medication or shows any symptoms of overdose, such as extreme drowsiness and seizures, consult a doctor for prompt medical attention.

Infographic: Can You Prevent Motion Sickness In Children Without Medications?

Motion sickness is a common problem among children. However, it may not always be advisable to give medications to prevent it. Thankfully, there are some non-medical ways to manage motion sickness in children. Go through the infographic below to learn about such natural preventive methods.

natural ways to prevent motion sickness in children (infographic)

Get the high-quality PDF version of this infographic.

Key Pointers

Dramamine is a drug that alleviates the symptoms of motion sickness in children, and its dosage varies based on the child’s age.
Excess intake of Dramamine could cause muscle weakness, dizziness, and drowsiness.
Some drugs may cause unwanted reactions when administered along with Dramamine.
Consult a physician before giving Dramamine to your child to relieve motion sickness.

References

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