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Printable Version Calm-X

Active Ingredients: Dimenhydrinate
Representative Names: Calm-X, Dimetabs, Dramamine, Triptone
Available Product Images:

What are dimenhydrinate tablets and capsules?
What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?
How should I use this medicine?
What if I miss a dose?
What drug(s) may interact with dimenhydrinate?
What side effects may I notice from using dimenhydrinate?
What should I watch for while taking dimenhydrinate?
Where can I keep my medicine?

What are dimenhydrinate tablets and capsules? (Back to top)
DIMENHYDRINATE (Dramamine®) is an antihistamine. It helps to prevent nausea, vomiting, or dizziness associated with motion sickness, and to treat or prevent vertigo (extreme dizziness or a sensation that you or your surroundings are tilting or spinning around). Generic dimenhydrinate tablets and capsules are available.

What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine? (Back to top)
They need to know if you have any of these conditions:
•asthma or other lung disease
•constipation
•glaucoma or other eye disease
•head injury
•heart disease
•heart rhythm problems (irregular, fast, or slow heart rate)
•high or low blood pressure
•liver disease
•pain or difficulty passing urine (or other bladder problems)
•phenylketonuria
•porphyria
•prostate trouble
•seizure disorder (convulsions)
•stomach or intestinal problems
•wear contact lenses
•an unusual or allergic reaction to dimenhydrinate, aspirin, tartrazine dye, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
•pregnant or trying to get pregnant
•breast-feeding

How should I use this medicine? (Back to top)
Take dimenhydrinate tablets by mouth. Follow the directions on the prescription label. Swallow the tablets or capsules with a drink of water (chewable tablets can be chewed or swallowed whole). If you are using dimenhydrinate to prevent motion sickness, take the dose at least one-half to 1 hour before travel. If dimenhydrinate upsets your stomach, take it with food or milk. Take your doses at regular intervals. Do not take your medicine more often than directed.

Elderly patients over 65 years old may have a stronger reaction to this medicine and need smaller doses.

Contact your pediatrician or health care professional regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed.

What if I miss a dose? (Back to top)
If you miss a dose, use it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, use only that dose. Do not use double or extra doses.

What drug(s) may interact with dimenhydrinate? (Back to top)
•alcohol
•barbiturate medicines for inducing sleep or treating seizures (convulsions)
•medicines for anxiety or sleeping problems, such as diazepam or temazepam
•medicines for hay fever and other allergies
•medicines for mental depression
•medicines for mental problems and psychotic disturbances
•medicines for movement abnormalities as in Parkinson's disease
•some medicines for gastrointestinal problems

Tell your prescriber or health care professional about all other medicines you are taking, including non-prescription medicines, nutritional supplements, or herbal products. Also tell your prescriber or health care professional if you are a frequent user of drinks with caffeine or alcohol, if you smoke, or if you use illegal drugs. These may affect the way your medicine works. Check with your health care professional before stopping or starting any of your medicines.

What side effects may I notice from using dimenhydrinate? (Back to top)
Side effects that you should report to your prescriber or health care professional as soon as possible:
•blurred vision
•confusion
•excitability, restlessness, nervousness, or not able to sleep (more likely in children)
•fainting spells
•incoordination
•irregular, slow or fast heartbeat, palpitations, or chest pain
•pain or difficulty passing urine
•ringing in the ears
•seizures (convulsions)
•persistent or unusual rash or hives
•wheezing

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your prescriber or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):
•dizziness
•drowsiness, weakness, or tiredness
•dry mouth
•headache
•loss of appetite
•reddening of the skin
•sensitivity to light
•stomach upset, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or constipation

What should I watch for while taking dimenhydrinate? (Back to top)
Tell your prescriber or health care professional if your symptoms do not improve in 1 or 2 days. If you are taking dimenhydrinate on a regular schedule, visit your prescriber or health care professional for regular checks on your progress.

You may get drowsy or dizzy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs mental alertness until you know how dimenhydrinate affects you. To reduce the risk of dizzy or fainting spells, do not stand or sit up quickly, especially if you are an older patient. Alcohol may increase dizziness and drowsiness. Avoid alcoholic drinks.

Your mouth may get dry. Chewing sugarless gum or sucking hard candy, and drinking plenty of water will help.

Dimenhydrinate may cause dry eyes and blurred vision. If you wear contact lenses you may feel some discomfort. Lubricating drops may help. See your ophthalmologist if the problem does not go away or is severe.

If you are receiving skin tests for allergies, tell your physician you are using dimenhydrinate.

Where can I keep my medicine? (Back to top)
Keep out of the reach of children.

Store upright at room temperature between 20 and 25°C (68 and 77°F) in a tight container; do not freeze. Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.


Last Updated:11/12/1999

CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY©
GOLD STANDARD MULTIMEDIA INC, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED


Note: The above information is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the expertise and judgment of your physician, pharmacist, or other healthcare professional. It should not be construed to indicate that the use of the product is safe, appropriate, or effective for you. Consult your healthcare professional before taking the product.

  Additional Information

  Check Drug Interactions with Calm-X

  Test Yourself! If you currently take Calm-X, do you know everything that you need to know?

  Make your own printable Medication / Emergency Contact Card



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