Dramamine For Kids: Safety, Side Effects And Precautions

Image: Shutterstock

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 antihistamineⁱA 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.

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).

Research finds

A study published in the Canadian Family Physician (CFP) indicates that dimenhydrinate (sold under the brand name Dramamine) is generally safe for children over six but may cause side effects in infants and children under six (15).

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).

It is advisable to start with the lowest dose and increase it only if it does not work. Also, read the labels carefully before giving Dramamine to children, and consult a doctor if you have any concerns or questions. Have your child chew the medication thoroughly for optimal effectiveness. If you’re on a long trip and missed a dose of medication, give the medication to your child as soon as you remember. However, if it is already time for the next dose, skip the previous dose.

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, vomiting, and nausea in children during traveling are some 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.

NeurotransmittersⁱChemical 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

• Behavioral changes like increased excitement.
• Restlessness.
• Dry mouth and nasal passages.
• Blocked nose.
  

• 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)
• AntiepilepticⁱAbility 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.

Experts say

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) advises against the routine use of antiemetics in children due to concerns about potential side effects (16).

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 phenylketonuriaⁱA 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.
• 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.

A board-certified pediatrician and mother, Dr. Krupa Playforth, provides insights on using Dramamine in children in her blog. She explains, “Dramamine is a sedating antihistamine that has been approved in the US for children over two years old. While it is not widely recommended due to potential side effects, there are situations where the benefits may outweigh the risks. I recommend discussing it with your pediatrician if your child has ongoing debilitating symptoms of motion sickness (i).”

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
• 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).

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.

Illustration: Momjunction Design Team

Illustration: Dramamine For Kids: Safety Side Effects And Precautions

Image: Dall·E/MomJunction Design Team

Community Experiences

Join the conversation and become a part of our nurturing community! Share your stories, experiences, and insights to connect with fellow parents.

Reviewer Author Editor Fact Checker

Dr. Dur Afshar AghaMS

Dr. Dur Afshar Agha is a consultant pediatrician with around 26 years of experience in various medical facilities both in Pakistan and Saudi Arabia. She has headed the Department of Preventive Pediatrics at the prestigious, Children’s Hospital and Institute of Child Health in Pakistan and is a life member of the Pakistan Paediatric Association.

Read full bio of Dr. Dur Afshar Agha

Dr. Joyani DasM.Pharm, PhD

Dr. Joyani Das did her post-graduation from Birla Institute of Technology, Mesra and PhD in Pharmacology. Previously, she worked as an associate professor, faculty of Pharmacology, for two years. With her research background in preclinical studies and a zeal for scientific writing, she joined MomJunction as a health writer.

Read full bio of Dr. Joyani Das

Dr. Ritika ShahBDS, CLC

Dr. Ritika Shah is a certified lactation counsellor (CLC) from iNational Health Care Academy, Singapore and a dental surgeon with more than seven years of clinical experience across various cities in India. She did her graduation in Dentistry from KM Shah Dental College.

Read full bio of Dr. Ritika Shah

Vidya TadapatriMSc (Biotechnology)

Vidya did her post-graduation in Biotechnology from Osmania University, Hyderabad. Her interest in scientific research and writing made her pursue a career in writing, in which she now has over five years of experience. She has done certified biotechnology-related training programs under renowned organizations such as Centre For Cellular & Molecular Biology and Department of Biotechnology.

Read full bio of Vidya Tadapatri