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5 Dramamine Side Effects You Should Consider

Austin Ulrich, PharmD, BCACPAmy B. Gragnolati, PharmD, BCPS
Published on November 28, 2022

Key takeaways:

  • Dramamine (dimenhydrinate) is an antihistamine medication. It’s used for nausea, vomiting, and dizziness from motion sickness.

  • Common Dramamine side effects include drowsiness, dry mouth, and constipation. Many common side effects are temporary and can be managed at home or with careful planning.

  • Rare but serious Dramamine side effects, like severe confusion or eye pain, are possible. These require immediate medical attention.

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A woman takes medication on an airplane.
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If long car rides, flights, or cruises make you queasy, an over-the-counter (OTC) motion sickness pill like Dramamine (dimenhydrinate) may be an essential part of your travel kit. It’s a convenient and effective way to keep your symptoms at bay. But it can also come with some pesky side effects — like drowsiness, dry mouth, and constipation — that can make your trip less enjoyable.

Before making your purchase, there are a few Dramamine side effects you should consider. Below, we discuss the top five and how to manage them.

1. Drowsiness

Dramamine can cause drowsiness. Just like diphenhydramine (Benadryl), it’s a first-generation antihistamine

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However, Dramamine’s main ingredient (dimenhydrinate) is actually a combination of diphenhydramine and a molecule that’s supposed to keep you more awake. In theory, it should cause less drowsiness. But it can still make you feel sleepy.

Dramamine’s effects last about 4 to 8 hours. If you need to take Dramamine during the day, you should avoid activities where you need to be alert. Driving, operating machinery, or similar tasks can wait until you’re not feeling drowsy. And it’s a good idea to steer clear of alcohol, since it can make this side effect worse.

If you’re looking for an option that causes less drowsiness, you may want to consider Dramamine Less Drowsy. This product contains a different antihistamine called meclizine (also found in the anti-nausea medication Bonine). Some studies suggest it may cause less drowsiness than regular Dramamine.

There are also a few other options if you want to skip medications altogether. For example, ginger and acupressure bracelets may be worth a try.

2. Dizziness

Dizziness is another common Dramamine side effect. 

You may be thinking, isn’t Dramamine supposed to help with dizziness? Not always. It can help with motion sickness, which doesn’t always involve dizziness. Dizziness may be a symptom of motion sickness. But there are other causes of dizziness, too.

Being dizzy can cause you to lose your balance and fall. So it’s important to find a safe place to sit or lie down if you’re feeling dizzy after taking a dose of Dramamine.

Dizziness will likely wear off after a while. If your dizziness doesn’t go away, contact your healthcare provider. This could be a sign of a different medical condition. If you feel dizzy with each dose of Dramamine, you may need to try another medication instead. 

3. Dry mouth

Antihistamines, like Dramamine, can cause dry mouth. This happens because it blocks acetylcholine, a chemical in the body responsible for many functions, including salivating.

Dry mouth is usually temporary. And it should only last as long as you’re taking Dramamine. But if it becomes bothersome, there are a few things you can do. Examples include drinking water, chewing sugarless gum, and sucking on ice chips.

If you take Dramamine regularly and it’s causing dry mouth, check with your healthcare provider. They can recommend another medication that has lower risk of this side effect.

4. Constipation

Dramamine can cause constipation for the same reason it causes dry mouth. But in this case, it’s blocking acetylcholine’s effects in your intestines. This results in constipation.

You can often manage constipation by increasing fiber in your diet. Eating foods like beans and vegetables can help. If this doesn’t work, you can try OTC medications, like stool softeners and laxatives. 

If your constipation doesn’t improve, or if it worsens, talk to your healthcare provider. This may be a sign of something more serious that needs medical care.

5. Blurred vision

Blurred vision is another common side effect of Dramamine. Like other side effects, it should only last while the medication is active in your body. And not everyone who takes Dramamine gets blurry vision. 

Rarely, Dramamine and other antihistamines may cause a condition called acute angle-closure glaucoma. This is a medical emergency. If you don’t get treatment right away, you could have permanent vision loss. Symptoms include headache, vomiting, and blurry vision. You may also have severe eye pain. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you have these symptoms.

If you have blurred vision after taking Dramamine, find a safe place to rest. You should wait until your vision clears to walk around or do activities that require you to see clearly. 

Talk to your healthcare provider anytime you have blurred vision while taking Dramamine. They can determine the severity of the side effect. They can also advise whether you should stop or continue the medication.

When should I contact my healthcare provider about Dramamine side effects?

Dramamine is typically taken for a short period of time. And, as described above, side effects are usually temporary and resolve after the medication clears your system. But you should speak to your healthcare provider or pharmacist if you’re concerned about Dramamine side effects.

Some side effects may be worse when Dramamine is combined with other medications you’re taking. So, it’s best to check with your pharmacist before purchasing dramamine. They can review your current medication list and identify potential issues.

At high doses, Dramamine can cause severe confusion, euphoria, and hallucinations. Some people misuse the medication this way. This can be dangerous. To avoid serious side effects, follow the directions listed on the Dramamine label. 

Let your healthcare provider know if you have any Dramamine side effects that won’t go away.

Seek immediate medical care if you’re experiencing serious side effects, like severe confusion, severe eye pain, and hallucinations.

The bottom line

Dramamine is an OTC antihistamine medication. It’s an effective option for preventing or treating symptoms of motion sickness. But it can make you feel drowsy, dizzy, and constipated.

Serious side effects usually only happen if you take too much Dramamine. Contact your healthcare provider right away if you have severe confusion, hallucinations, or severe eye pain.

Dramamine is available OTC. But your healthcare provider or pharmacist can help you navigate any side effects and potential interactions that may happen from taking it.

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Why trust our experts?

Austin Ulrich, PharmD, BCACP
Austin Ulrich, PharmD, BCACP, is a board-certified ambulatory care clinical pharmacist. In his early career, he provided direct patient care in a variety of settings, including hospital and community pharmacies, and in a primary care clinic as a clinical pharmacist.
Alyssa Billingsley, PharmD
Alyssa Billingsley, PharmD, is the director of pharmacy content for GoodRx. She has over a decade of experience as a pharmacist and has worked in clinical, academic, and administrative roles.
Amy B. Gragnolati, PharmD, BCPS
Amy Gragnolati, PharmD, BCPS, is a pharmacy editor for GoodRx. Amy currently holds her pharmacist license in Georgia and California.

References

Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health. (2015). Abuse and misuse potential of dimenhydrinate: A review of the clinical evidence.

Glaucoma Research Foundation. (2022). When people with glaucoma should avoid allergy and decongestant medications

View All References (3)

National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. (2012). Dimenhydrinate. LiverTox.

Patel, P. N., et al. (2011). Meclizine: Safety and efficacy in the treatment and prevention of motion sickness. Clinical Medicine Insights: Therapeutics.

PubChem. (2022). Dimenhydrinate.

GoodRx Health has strict sourcing policies and relies on primary sources such as medical organizations, governmental agencies, academic institutions, and peer-reviewed scientific journals. Learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate, thorough, and unbiased by reading our editorial guidelines.

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