Dimenhydrinate Dosage

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Feb 27, 2023.

Usual Adult Dose for Motion Sickness

INJECTABLE: 50 to 100 mg IM or IV every 4 hours as needed; Maximum Dose: 400 mg within 24 hours.

ORAL:

• Immediate Release: 50 to 100 mg every 4 to 6 hours as needed; Maximum Dose: 400 mg within 24 hours.
• Extended Release: 100 mg every 8 to 12 hours as needed; Maximum Dose: 300 mg within 24 hours.

RECTAL: 50 to 100 mg every 6 to 8 hours as needed.

Use: Prevention and treatment of nausea, vomiting, dizziness, and/or vertigo associated with motion sickness.

Usual Adult Dose for Vertigo

INJECTABLE: 50 to 100 mg IM or IV every 4 hours as needed; Maximum Dose: 400 mg within 24 hours.

ORAL:

• Immediate Release: 50 to 100 mg every 4 to 6 hours as needed; Maximum Dose: 400 mg within 24 hours.
• Extended Release: 100 mg every 8 to 12 hours as needed; Maximum Dose: 300 mg within 24 hours.

RECTAL: 50 to 100 mg every 6 to 8 hours as needed.

Use: Prevention and treatment of nausea, vomiting, dizziness, and/or vertigo associated with motion sickness.

Usual Adult Dose for Nausea/Vomiting

INJECTABLE: 50 to 100 mg IM or IV every 4 hours as needed; Maximum Dose: 400 mg within 24 hours.

ORAL:

• Immediate Release: 50 to 100 mg every 4 to 6 hours as needed; Maximum Dose: 400 mg within 24 hours.
• Extended Release: 100 mg every 8 to 12 hours as needed; Maximum Dose: 300 mg within 24 hours.

RECTAL: 50 to 100 mg every 6 to 8 hours as needed.

Use: Prevention and treatment of nausea, vomiting, dizziness, and/or vertigo associated with motion sickness.

Usual Pediatric Dose for Motion Sickness

INJECTABLE:

• Neonate: Contraindicated.
• Older Than Neonate: 1.25 mg/kg OR 37.5 mg/m2 IM 4 times a day; Maximum Dose: 300 mg per day.

ORAL:

• Under Age 2 Years: Not recommended.
• Age 2 to 5 Years: 12.5 to 25 mg orally every 6 to 8 hours as needed; Maximum Dose: 75 mg within 24 hours.
• Age 6 to 11 Years: 25 to 50 mg orally every 6 to 8 hours as needed; Maximum Dose: 150 mg within 24 hours.
• Age 12 Years and Over: 50 to 100 mg orally every 4 to 6 hours as needed; Maximum Dose: 400 mg within 24 hours.

RECTAL:

• Under Age 2 Years: Contraindicated.
• Age 2 to 5 Years: 12.5 to 25 mg once; do not repeat dose except on the advice of a physician.
• Age 6 to 7 Years: 12.5 to 25 mg every 8 to 12 hours as needed.
• Age 8 to 11 Years: 25 to 50 mg every 8 to 12 hours as needed.
• Age 12 Years and Over: 50 mg every 8 to 12 hours as needed.

Use: Prevention and treatment of nausea, vomiting, dizziness, and/or vertigo associated with motion sickness.

Usual Pediatric Dose for Vertigo

INJECTABLE:

• Neonate: Contraindicated.
• Older Than Neonate: 1.25 mg/kg OR 37.5 mg/m2 IM 4 times a day; Maximum Dose: 300 mg per day.

ORAL:

• Under Age 2 Years: Not recommended.
• Age 2 to 5 Years: 12.5 to 25 mg orally every 6 to 8 hours as needed; Maximum Dose: 75 mg within 24 hours.
• Age 6 to 11 Years: 25 to 50 mg orally every 6 to 8 hours as needed; Maximum Dose: 150 mg within 24 hours.
• Age 12 Years and Over: 50 to 100 mg orally every 4 to 6 hours as needed; Maximum Dose: 400 mg within 24 hours.

RECTAL:

• Under Age 2 Years: Contraindicated.
• Age 2 to 5 Years: 12.5 to 25 mg once; do not repeat dose except on the advice of a physician.
• Age 6 to 7 Years: 12.5 to 25 mg every 8 to 12 hours as needed.
• Age 8 to 11 Years: 25 to 50 mg every 8 to 12 hours as needed.
• Age 12 Years and Over: 50 mg every 8 to 12 hours as needed.

Use: Prevention and treatment of nausea, vomiting, dizziness, and/or vertigo associated with motion sickness.

Usual Pediatric Dose for Nausea/Vomiting

INJECTABLE:

• Neonate: Contraindicated.
• Older Than Neonate: 1.25 mg/kg OR 37.5 mg/m2 IM 4 times a day; Maximum Dose: 300 mg per day.

ORAL:

• Under Age 2 Years: Not recommended.
• Age 2 to 5 Years: 12.5 to 25 mg orally every 6 to 8 hours as needed; Maximum Dose: 75 mg within 24 hours.
• Age 6 to 11 Years: 25 to 50 mg orally every 6 to 8 hours as needed; Maximum Dose: 150 mg within 24 hours.
• Age 12 Years and Over: 50 to 100 mg orally every 4 to 6 hours as needed; Maximum Dose: 400 mg within 24 hours.

RECTAL:

• Under Age 2 Years: Contraindicated.
• Age 2 to 5 Years: 12.5 to 25 mg once; do not repeat dose except on the advice of a physician.
• Age 6 to 7 Years: 12.5 to 25 mg every 8 to 12 hours as needed.
• Age 8 to 11 Years: 25 to 50 mg every 8 to 12 hours as needed.
• Age 12 Years and Over: 50 mg every 8 to 12 hours as needed.

Use: Prevention and treatment of nausea, vomiting, dizziness, and/or vertigo associated with motion sickness.

Renal Dose Adjustments

Data not available.

Liver Dose Adjustments

Patients with Hepatic Impairment: Use with caution.

Dose Adjustments

Pediatric Patients: Discontinue use if paradoxical excitation (restlessness, nervousness, hallucinations, delirium, and/or seizures) occurs.

Dialysis

Data not available.

Other Comments

Administration Advice:

• INJECTABLE: Dilute before IV administration; consult the manufacturer product information for dilution instructions.
• INJECTABLE: For IV administration, administer the drug slowly over 2 minutes.
• INJECTABLE: Do not administer intra-arterially.
• INJECTABLE: Inspect the drug visually for particulate matter and discoloration prior to administration.
• ORAL: To prevent motion sickness, the first dose should be taken at least 30 minutes to 1 to 2 hours before starting activity.
• RECTAL: For ease and comfort, smooth any edges prior to use.

Storage Requirements:

• Consult the manufacturer product information.

IV Compatibility:

• Consult the manufacturer product information.

General:

• Some formulations of this drug may be available only as special order products compounded at pharmacies with patient-specific dosing.
• Parenteral therapy is indicated when oral or rectal therapy is inappropriate.
• OVERDOSAGE: There is no specific antidote; consult the manufacturer product information for possible treatment options.

Patient Advice:

• If using this drug regularly, take a missed dose as soon as possible; however, skip the missed dose if it is almost time for the next dose.

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Medical Disclaimer