INN monograph
Dimenhydrinate
Therapeutic agent (verify pharmacological class) · POM
Verified · Updated 01 Aug 2026 · Source: Local active-ingredient clinical extract; FDA drug label via OpenFDA/DailyMed; Professional class pharmacology (Therapeutic agent (verify pharmacological class))
Kenya market
Wholesale / list prices where loaded
Risk first
Contraindications
- Hypersensitivity to the active substance or excipients.
- Additional absolute contraindications are indication- and product-specific — consult SmPC.
Precautions
- Warnings Do not use for children under 2 years of age unless directed by a doctor.
- Ask a doctor before use if you have glaucoma a breathing problem such as emphysema or chronic bronchitis difficulty in urination due to enlargement of the prostate gland Ask a doctor or pharmacist before use if you are taking sedatives or tranquilizers.
- When using this product marked drowsiness may occur alcohol, sedatives, and tranquilizers may increase drowsiness avoid alcoholic beverages use caution when driving a motor vehicle or operating machinery If pregnant or breast-feeding, ask a health professional before use.
- Keep out of reach of children.
- In case of overdose, get medical help or contact a Poison Control Center right away.
Point of care
Dosing
Adult
Directions do not take more than directed to prevent motion sickness, the first dose should be taken 1/2 to 1 hour before starting activity to prevent or treat motion sickness, see below: adults and children 12 years and over take 1 to 2 tablets every 4-6 hours do not take more than 8 tablets in 24 hours, or as directed by a doctor children 6 to under 12 years give 1/2 to 1 tablet every 6-8 hours do not give more than 3 tablets in 24 hours, or as directed by a doctor children 2 to under 6 years give 1/2 tablet every 6-8 hours do not give more than 1 1/2 tablets in 24 hours, or as directed by a doctor
Paediatric
See label paediatric section if present; otherwise use paediatric formulary — do not extrapolate adult doses.
Renal
Review renal impairment dosing; many agents need CrCl/eGFR adjustment.
- CrCl 0–120: Confirm renal dosing in product SmPC / primary label.
Hepatic
Review hepatic impairment dosing; monitor LFTs if agent is hepatically cleared or hepatotoxic.
Safety
Drug interactions
- Professional use: confirm indication, dose, duration, monitoring and patient counselling points against current Kenya STG / EML and the product SmPC.
- Document allergy status and key interactions.
Safety
Adverse effects
- Drowsiness
- psychomotor impairment
- anti-muscarinic effects [e.g. urinary retention
- dry mouth
- GI disturbances
- blurred vision]
- allergic reactions
- epileptic form seizure in patients with cerebral cortex focal lesion
- muscle weakness
- tachycardia
- tight chest
- paradoxical CNS stimulation - mostly in children.
Use
Indications
- Uses for prevention and treatment of these symptoms associated with motion sickness: nausea vomiting dizziness Clinical selection for Dimenhydrinate should follow culture results where relevant, Kenya STG/EML recommendations, and the current product SmPC.
- Class context: Therapeutic agent (verify pharmacological class).
- Confirm site-specific dose, duration and monitoring before prescribing.
Pharmacology
Mode of action
It acts by competing with histamine for H1-receptor sites on effector cells.
Full mechanism text
It acts by competing with histamine for H1-receptor sites on effector cells. Its anti-cholinergic actions give a drying effect on the nasal mucosa. Mechanism is agent-specific. At receptor, enzyme, ion channel, transporter or microbial target level, the drug alters a physiological or pathological pathway to produce its therapeutic effect. Confirm precise molecular mechanism in current SmPC / pharmacology reference for this INN before high-stakes decisions.
ADME
Pharmacokinetics & PD
| Onset | Product-specific |
|---|---|
| Duration | Product-specific |
| Route | See product SmPC |
| Elimination | are product-specific. Consider food effects, protein binding, hepatic CYP/UGT |
| Half-life | when adjusting for organ impairment, age and drug interactions. Verify parameters in the current SmPC. |
Full PK/PD text
Absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion are product-specific. Consider food effects, protein binding, hepatic CYP/UGT metabolism, renal clearance and half-life when adjusting for organ impairment, age and drug interactions. Verify parameters in the current SmPC.
Kenya
Brands & prices
| Brand | Company | Pack | KES |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gravinate | G. D. Searle & Co. Ltd. | Standard Commercial Pack | — |
Special populations
Pregnancy & lactation
Pregnancy
Use only if potential benefit justifies potential risk; prefer agents with better reproductive data when alternatives exist.
Lactation
Assess infant risk vs benefit of maternal therapy; prefer agents with lactation data.
Diet
Food & alcohol
- Food
- Food
Trust
Sources & disclaimer
Source: Local active-ingredient clinical extract; FDA drug label via OpenFDA/DailyMed; Professional class pharmacology (Therapeutic agent (verify pharmacological class))
Last reviewed: 01 Aug 2026
Decision support only — not a substitute for clinical judgment, product SmPC, or Kenya STG/EML.