Dimenhydrinate Dosage

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Jan 30, 2024.

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.

See also:

Further information

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

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