Key takeaways:
The typical Dramamine (dimenhydrinate) dosage for an adult is 1 to 2 tablets by mouth every 4 to 6 hours as needed. To prevent motion sickness, the first dose should be taken 30 to 60 minutes before activity. Adults ages 65 and older should talk to a healthcare professional before taking it.
The dosage of Dramamine for children is based on their age. Don’t give it to children under age 2 without speaking to a healthcare professional.
Dramamine is available over the counter as a brand-name medication. But you can also find it as a lower-cost generic. GoodRx can help make your medication more affordable.
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Motion sickness is an unfortunate hassle of traveling for many people. Movement, such as riding in a car or plane or on a boat, can confuse your senses and make you feel sick. You may experience nausea, dizziness, and vomiting. Fortunately, there are medications available to help prevent and treat motion sickness.
Dramamine (dimenhydrinate) is a popular over-the-counter (OTC) motion sickness medication. It’s an antihistamine that works in the brain to block motion sickness symptoms like nausea and vomiting. But it’s important to know how much is safe to take should you need it.
Below, we’ll review the typical Dramamine dosages for adults and children.
What’s the typical Dramamine dosage for adults?
Dramamine can be a good OTC medication to have on hand to treat or prevent motion sickness. It comes as both an oral tablet and a chewable tablet. Both versions have the same dosage instructions. Each tablet contains 50 mg of dimenhydrinate.
The recommended Dramamine dosage for adults is 1 to 2 tablets (50 mg to 100 mg) by mouth every 4 to 6 hours as needed. If you’re trying to prevent motion sickness, take your first dose 30 to 60 minutes before the triggering activity (such as a car ride or a flight). You shouldn’t take more than 8 tablets (400 mg) in a 24-hour period.
What’s the typical Dramamine dosage for children?
The Dramamine line offers a chewable tablet that’s specially designed with kids in mind. But the adult Dramamine tablets are also OK to give to children. All OTC Dramamine packages provide dosage information for children ages 2 and older.
Children’s Dramamine tablets contain 25 mg of dimenhydrinate, compared with 50 mg in the adult formulation. Be sure to read the instructions carefully before giving it to your child.
Dramamine for Kids tablets
Dramamine for Kids tablets are chewable. They’re intended for children ages 2 to 12. To prevent motion sickness, give the first dose 30 to 60 minutes before the triggering activity.
The Dramamine for Kids dosage is as follows:
Children ages 6 to 12: Chew and swallow 1 to 2 tablets (25 mg to 50 mg) by mouth every 6 to 8 hours as needed. Don’t take more than 6 tablets (150 mg) in a 24-hour period.
Children ages 2 to 5: Chew and swallow ½ to 1 tablet (12.5 mg to 25 mg) by mouth every 6 to 8 hours as needed. Don’t take more than 3 tablets (75 mg) in a 24-hour period.
Children under age 2: Don’t give unless your child’s pediatrician gives you permission and a safe dosage. Be sure to confirm a maximum daily dosage with them.
Dramamine oral and chewable tablets
These are the same tablets that adults can take. Children may have a hard time swallowing the oral tablets whole. Giving them chewable tablets is usually easier. To prevent motion sickness, give the first dose 30 to 60 minutes before the triggering activity.
The Dramamine dosage for children using the adult formulation is as follows:
Children ages 12 and older: Take 1 to 2 tablets (50 mg to 100 mg) by mouth every 4 to 6 hours as needed. Don’t give more than 8 tablets (400 mg) in a 24-hour period.
Children ages 6 to 11: Take ½ to 1 tablet (25 mg to 50 mg) by mouth every 6 to 8 hours as needed. Don’t give more than 3 tablets (150 mg) in a 24-hour period.
Children ages 2 to 5: Take ½ tablet (25 mg) by mouth every 6 to 8 hours as needed. Don’t give more than 1 ½ tablets (75 mg) in a 24-hour period.
Children under age 2: Don’t give unless your child’s pediatrician gives you permission and a safe dosage. Be sure to confirm a maximum daily dosage with them.
Are there any Dramamine dosage adjustments for medical conditions?
Dramamine may not be the best option for some groups of people. These include children under 2 years old, older adults, and people with certain health conditions.
Children under age 2
You shouldn’t give Dramamine to children under age 2 without talking to their pediatrician. The effects of antihistamines like Dramamine haven’t been well-studied in children this young. There have also been reports of accidental overdoses in kids this age, some of which were fatal.
If a healthcare professional recommends Dramamine for your young child, confirm the dosage with them. There is no standard Dramamine dosage for children under age 2.
Adults ages 65 and older
Antihistamines like Dramamine aren’t recommended for people ages 65 and older. This is because they can cause excessive dizziness and confusion. This can raise the risk of falling or accidental injury.
Discuss the risks and benefits of Dramamine with a healthcare professional first. If they recommend you take it, ask what dosage you should take.
People who have trouble urinating
Antihistamines like Dramamine aren’t recommended for people who have trouble urinating. This is especially true for older adults. These medications have anticholinergic side effects. One of these side effects is that it may be harder to completely empty the bladder (called urinary retention). This raises the risk of developing urinary tract infections.
Talk to a healthcare professional before taking Dramamine if you have a history of urinary retention, incontinence, or benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).
People with glaucoma
For people with glaucoma, it’s best to speak with a healthcare professional before taking Dramamine or other antihistamines. This is because they can worsen certain types of glaucoma. A healthcare professional can determine if it’s safe for you to take Dramamine based on what kind of glaucoma you have.
What happens if you miss a dose of Dramamine?
Dramamine is usually taken as needed. So if you miss a dose, you can take it as soon as you remember. If a healthcare professional wants you to take Dramamine regularly, take your missed dose as soon as you remember. If it’s close to time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose as scheduled.
Never double up on Dramamine by taking 2 doses at once. Taking too much can cause side effects like excessive drowsiness or dizziness.
What should you do if you take too much Dramamine?
If you’ve taken too much Dramamine, you’ll likely experience side effects. Mild side effects may include drowsiness, dry mouth, and dizziness. More severe side effects may include seizures and an irregular heart rate. In rare cases, too much Dramamine can be fatal.
If you believe you’ve taken too much Dramamine or are experiencing excessive side effects, contact a healthcare professional. You can also call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222. Call 911 or seek emergency care right away if you’re having severe or extreme side effects.
How to save on Dramamine
There are ways to save on Dramamine, which is available as both a brand-name and generic medication. By having a healthcare professional write a prescription for OTC Dramamine, GoodRx can help you save over 80% off the average retail price. Generic Dramamine’s price at certain pharmacies can be as low as $8.57 with a free GoodRx discount.
Frequently asked questions
Rash is not a typical Dramamine or antihistamine side effect. But as with all medications, it is possible to have an allergic reaction to Dramamine. Contact a healthcare professional right away if you develop a rash after taking Dramamine. If your rash is widespread or you also have a fever, seek emergency care.
You should begin to notice an effect from Dramamine within 30 to 60 minutes. That’s why it’s recommended to take Dramamine for motion sickness prevention about 30 to 60 minutes before triggering activities.
You should avoid taking Dramamine with other medications and substances that cause drowsiness. Examples include:
Other antihistamines, such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl)
Opioid pain relievers, such as hydrocodone / acetaminophen
Benzodiazepines, such as alprazolam (Xanax)
Sleep aids, such as zolpidem (Ambien)
OTC sleep supplements, such as melatonin
These aren’t the only medications and substances that interact with Dramamine. Review your medication and supplement list with your pharmacist before starting Dramamine to identify potential interactions.
Rash is not a typical Dramamine or antihistamine side effect. But as with all medications, it is possible to have an allergic reaction to Dramamine. Contact a healthcare professional right away if you develop a rash after taking Dramamine. If your rash is widespread or you also have a fever, seek emergency care.
You should begin to notice an effect from Dramamine within 30 to 60 minutes. That’s why it’s recommended to take Dramamine for motion sickness prevention about 30 to 60 minutes before triggering activities.
You should avoid taking Dramamine with other medications and substances that cause drowsiness. Examples include:
Other antihistamines, such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl)
Opioid pain relievers, such as hydrocodone / acetaminophen
Benzodiazepines, such as alprazolam (Xanax)
Sleep aids, such as zolpidem (Ambien)
OTC sleep supplements, such as melatonin
These aren’t the only medications and substances that interact with Dramamine. Review your medication and supplement list with your pharmacist before starting Dramamine to identify potential interactions.
The bottom line
The recommended Dramamine (dimenhydrinate) dosage is based on your age. Doses are typically taken as needed — every 4 to 6 hours for people ages 12 and older, and every 6 to 8 hours for children under age 12.
Don’t give Dramamine to children under age 2 unless their pediatrician tells you to do so. And ask your healthcare team before taking this motion sickness pill if you’re age 65 or older. These age groups have higher risks for serious side effects while taking Dramamine.
Always read the directions carefully, especially when giving Dramamine to children. If you’re unsure of what dosage to take, ask a healthcare professional.
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References
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Farzam, K., et al. (2025). Antihistamines. StatPearls.
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MedlinePlus. (2022). Dimenhydrinate.
MedlinePlus. (2023). Dimenhydrinate overdose.
Medtech Products. (2025). Dramamine for kids- dimenhydrinate tablet, chewable [package insert]. DailyMed.
Poison Control. (n.d.). Get help online or by phone.
Shenot, P. J. (2025). Urinary retention. Merck Manual.
