This article describes possible side effects of dimenhydrinate injection. You can learn more about dimenhydrinate by talking with your doctor.
Dimenhydrinate injection is a generic medication. It isn’t available in a brand-name version. Dimenhydrinate also comes in forms that you swallow, but these forms aren’t described in this article. To learn more about these forms, talk with your doctor.
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More common side effects of dimenhydrinate
Dimenhydrinate injection may cause mild or serious side effects. Below are some of the more common side effects of this medication.
Commonly reported side effects of dimenhydrinate injection include:
- drowsiness*
- dizziness
- dry mouth, nose, and throat*
- blurry vision
- difficulty urinating or painful urination
* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects of dimenhydrinate in detail” section below.
Mild side effects of dimenhydrinate
Dimenhydrinate may cause certain mild side effects. Most often, mild side effects are temporary and can be easily managed. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have side effects that don’t go away or become bothersome.
Mild side effects of dimenhydrinate injection that have been reported include:
- drowsiness*
- dizziness
- dry mouth, nose, and throat*
- blurry vision
- difficulty urinating or painful urination
- headache
- loss of appetite
- nervousness
- skin rash
- restlessness
Dimenhydrinate injection may cause more mild side effects than those listed above. For details, see the drug’s prescribing information.
* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects of dimenhydrinate in detail” section below.
Serious side effects of dimenhydrinate
Dimenhydrinate may cause certain serious side effects. If you have any serious side effects from dimenhydrinate injection, call your doctor right away. But if you think you’re having a medical emergency or your side effects feel life threatening, take immediate action. Call 911 or a local emergency number, or go to the nearest emergency room.
After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks and reviews side effects of the medication. Visit MedWatch’s website if you’d like to notify the FDA about a side effect you’ve had with dimenhydrinate.
Potentially serious side effects of dimenhydrinate injection that have been reported include:
* It’s unclear if this side effect occurred during the drug’s studies or after the drug was approved for use.
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For some people, dimenhydrinate injection can cause an allergic reaction. But it’s not clear whether this side effect occurred in the drug’s studies.
In general, symptoms of allergic reaction can be mild or serious. You can learn more about possible symptoms in this article.
Ways to manage
For mild allergic reaction symptoms, such as a mild rash, call your doctor right away. They may recommend treatments to help manage your symptoms. They’ll also let you know whether you should keep taking the medication.
For severe allergic reaction symptoms, such as swelling or trouble breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. These symptoms require immediate medical care because they can become life threatening. If you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to dimenhydrinate injection, your doctor may recommend taking a different medication instead.
Side effects of dimenhydrinate in detail
Below you’ll find details on some of the side effects of dimenhydrinate injection.
Drowsiness
According to the drug’s prescribing information, drowsiness is the most frequently reported side effect of dimenhydrinate injection.
With drowsiness, you may have trouble focusing, thinking, or reacting.
Certain factors can increase the risk of drowsiness with dimenhydrinate injection. These include drinking alcohol or taking other drugs that cause drowsiness.
Ways to manage
Due to this risk, you shouldn’t drive or do anything that requires concentration until you know how dimenhydrinate affects you.
If you have concerns about drowsiness, tell your doctor. They can discuss alternative treatments for your condition.
Dry mouth, nose, and throat
Dry mouth, nose, and throat have also been commonly reported by people using dimenhydrinate injection.
These side effects typically are mild, but they can cause bothersome symptoms, including:
- nosebleeds
- scratchy throat
- congestion
- cracked lips
- bad breath
Certain factors can increase the risk of dry mouth, nose, or throat with dimenhydrinate injection. These include certain medical conditions, dehydration, stress or anxiety, and mouth breathing.
Ways to manage
If you experience symptoms of dry mouth, nose, or throat, tell your doctor. They can discuss treatments and determine if you should continue using dimenhydrinate injection.
Warnings for dimenhydrinate
Below are some factors you may want to discuss with your doctor before using dimenhydrinate injection.
Warnings
It may not be safe for you to use dimenhydrinate injection if you have specific health conditions. These are sometimes called drug-condition interactions. Other things may also affect whether dimenhydrinate injection is a safe treatment option for you.
Before using dimenhydrinate injection, tell your doctor about your health and medications you take. Things to consider include:
Dimenhydrinate and pregnancy
In general, dimenhydrinate injection is considered safe to use during pregnancy. That said, check with your doctor about whether they feel it’s safe for you specifically.
Dimenhydrinate and breastfeeding
Dimenhydrinate injection should not be used while breastfeeding. If you’re currently breastfeeding or planning to do so, talk with your doctor before using this medication. Your doctor may recommend other ways to feed your child during treatment with dimenhydrinate.
Dimenhydrinate injection is not known to interact with alcohol.
But drinking alcohol with dimenhydrinate can worsen your ability to think, focus, and react. This can affect your ability to drive or perform other activities that require concentration.
If you drink alcohol, talk with your doctor about whether it’s safe to consume it during your treatment with dimenhydrinate injection.
Disclaimer: Optum Perks has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.
