Dimenhydrinate Dosage

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.

Comments:
-ORAL: To prevent motion sickness, the first dose should be taken at least 30 minutes to 1 to 2 hours before starting activity.
-Parenteral therapy is indicated when oral or rectal therapy is inappropriate.

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.

Comments:
-ORAL: To prevent motion sickness, the first dose should be taken at least 30 minutes to 1 to 2 hours before starting activity.
-Parenteral therapy is indicated when oral or rectal therapy is inappropriate.

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.

Comments:
-ORAL: To prevent motion sickness, the first dose should be taken at least 30 minutes to 1 to 2 hours before starting activity.
-Parenteral therapy is indicated when oral or rectal therapy is inappropriate.

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

Usual Adult Dose for Nausea/Vomiting-Radiation Induced

PRE-THERAPY: 50 to 100 mg rectally, IM, or IV 30 to 60 minutes before treatment; repeat the dose as necessary; Maximum Dose: 400 mg within 24 hours.

POST-THERAPY: 50 mg IM or IV 90 minutes after treatment; repeat the same dose 3 hours after treatment.

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

Usual Adult Dose for Nausea/Vomiting - Postoperative

POSTOPERATIVE NAUSEA/VOMITING: 50 to 100 mg orally OR 50 mg IM or IV as needed; Maximum Dose: 400 mg within 24 hours.
-Comments: May also administer 50 to 100 mg orally OR 50 mg IM or IV as preoperative dose.

POST-SURGICAL/POST-ANESTHETIC: 50 mg IM or IV immediately after surgery; repeat the same dose every 4 hours for 3 doses.

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

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.

Comments:
-ORAL: To prevent motion sickness, the first dose should be taken at least 30 minutes to 1 to 2 hours before starting activity.
-Parenteral therapy is indicated when oral or rectal therapy is inappropriate.

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.

Comments:
-ORAL: To prevent motion sickness, the first dose should be taken at least 30 minutes to 1 to 2 hours before starting activity.
-Parenteral therapy is indicated when oral or rectal therapy is inappropriate.

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.

Comments:
-ORAL: To prevent motion sickness, the first dose should be taken at least 30 minutes to 1 to 2 hours before starting activity.
-Parenteral therapy is indicated when oral or rectal therapy is inappropriate.

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

Usual Pediatric Dose for Nausea/Vomiting - Postoperative

POSTOPERATIVE NAUSEA/VOMITING and POST-SURGICAL/POST-ANESTHETIC:
-Age 6 to 7 Years: 15 to 25 mg IM or IV 2 or 3 times a day.
-Age 8 to 12 Years: 25 to 50 mg IM or IV 2 or 3 times a day.
-Over Age 12 Years: 50 mg IM or IV 2 or 3 times a day.

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

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 SOLUTION:
-Dilute before IV administration; consult the manufacturer product information for dilution instructions.
-For IV administration, administer the drug slowly over 2 minutes.
-Do not administer intra-arterially.
-Inspect the drug visually for particulate matter and discoloration prior to administration.

Storage Requirements:
-DILUTED INJECTABLE SOLUTION: Store up to 24 hours at room temperature (20 to 25 degrees Celsius; excursions permitted between 15 to 30 degrees Celsius).
-INJECTABLE SOLUTION: Store at room temperature; protect from freezing and light.
-TABLET: Store at room temperature; protect from moisture.

IV Compatibility:
-INJECTABLE SOLUTION: Consult the manufacturer product information.

General:
-OVERDOSAGE: There is no specific antidote; consult the manufacturer product information for possible treatment options.

Patient Advice:
-RECTAL SUPPOSITORY: For ease and comfort, smooth any edges prior to use.
-If taking 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.