Dimenhydrinate
“This page provides important general information for pet owners whose animals have been prescribed Dimenhydrinate for pets in Perth during a consultation by Dr Noor.”
Dimenhydrinate for pets
(dye-men-hye-dri-nate)
Description:
This medicine is used for allergy-type symptoms and for nausea/vomiting.
Other Names for this Medication:
- Dramamine®
- Gravol®
Common Dosage Forms:
- Veterinary: None.
- Human: 50 mg tablets (regular tablets and chewable tablets).
- NOTE: Dramamine® All-Day uses a different medicine–meclizine. The details below may not fit that product.
This handout does not include every possible detail about this medicine. It is meant to answer common questions, but it does not replace medical advice. If you still have questions or need more details about this medicine, contact your veterinarian or your pharmacist.
Key Information on Dimenhydrinate for pets
- Use only products where dimenhydrinate is the only active ingredient. Human products that combine it with other ingredients (for example, pain medicines or decongestants) may be poisonous to animals.
- This is an allergy-type medicine related to diphenhydramine (Benadryl®). It is most often used to help prevent motion sickness in dogs and cats, and it may also be tried to help with vomiting in cats.
- If you are using it to prevent motion sickness, give it 30–60 minutes before traveling.
- It can make an animal sleepy. In some cases, that sleepiness may be wanted.
- You may give it with food or without food. If your animal throws up or seems unwell after getting it on an empty stomach, try the next dose with food or a small treat. If vomiting keeps happening, contact your veterinarian.
How is this medication useful?
Dimenhydrinate for pets is used most often to treat and prevent motion sickness in dogs and cats. It can also be used to help with itching linked to allergies. Because it can cause drowsiness, it is sometimes used to help settle animals that are overly excited.
What should I tell my veterinarian to see if this medication can be safely given?
Many factors can change how well this medicine works for your animal. It is important to review the following with your veterinarian so you can decide together on the best treatment plan.
Some medicines can affect how dimenhydrinate works. Tell your veterinarian and pharmacist about everything your animal receives, including:
- prescription medicines
- over-the-counter products
- vitamins
- supplements
- herbal products
Include how much you give and when you give it.
Tell your veterinarian about any health problems your animal has now, and any your animal has had before.
If your animal has had treatment for the same problem in the past, explain what was used and whether it helped or did not help.
If your animal is pregnant or nursing, discuss the possible risks of using this medicine.
Tell your veterinarian and pharmacist about any side effects your animal has had from medicines in the past. This includes:
- allergic reactions
- not eating
- vomiting
- diarrhea
- itching
- hair loss
How long until I will know if this medication is working, and how long will the effects of this medication last?
You should usually see an effect within 1 to 2 hours. After that, your animal’s signs should lessen.
This medicine does not last a long time. Its action ends within 24 hours. However, the helpful effects may last longer if your animal’s kidneys and/or liver do not work as well.
When should this medication not be used or be used very carefully?
No medicine is completely safe for every patient. Your veterinarian will talk with you about any concerns that apply to your animal.
If your animal has any of the issues listed below, talk with your veterinarian about the possible risks compared with the possible benefits.
- A past allergic reaction to this medicine or to similar medicines (for example, diphenhydramine).
- Upcoming allergy testing appointments. Allergy medicines can change allergy test results. Ask your veterinarian when you should stop giving this medicine before testing.
- Glaucoma, because this medicine may make it worse.
- Senior animals.
- Working dogs (for example, guide dogs, search dogs, hunting dogs, sled dogs, rescue dogs) may become drowsy and may not be able to do their work while taking this medicine.
- Nursing mothers.
- Trouble urinating, an enlarged prostate, thyroid problems, or heart disease.
- Blockages in the stomach or intestines.
What are the side effects of this medication?
Common side effects that are usually not serious include:
You do not need to be highly worried if you notice these signs unless they are strong, get worse, or do not go away. If that happens, contact your veterinarian.
- The side effect seen most often is drowsiness, and this is sometimes wanted. Many animals become used to this over time and may not get as sleepy with continued use.
- In some cases, cats may act unusually energetic or overactive while taking this medicine, but this is not common.
- A dry mouth and difficulty urinating (for example, straining) can happen, but they are not common.
- In rare cases, dimenhydrinate can upset the stomach and cause:
- vomiting
- reduced appetite
- diarrhea
If my animal gets too much of this medication (an overdose), what should I do?
Most overdoses of dimenhydrinate are not severe, but very large amounts can be serious.
If you do not know how much was taken, or if you believe your animal received too much and you see signs such as:
- extreme sleepiness
- unusual excitement
- seizures
- or a very dry mouth
contact your veterinarian or an animal poison control center right away for instructions.
How should this medication be given?
- Give this medicine exactly the way your veterinarian directed. Always read the prescription label so you confirm you are giving it correctly.
- You can give it with food or without food. If your animal vomits or seems sick after getting it on an empty stomach, try giving the next dose with food or a small treat. If vomiting continues, contact your veterinarian.
- If you are using a specially made (compounded) liquid, measure it with care. Your veterinarian or pharmacist can provide special measuring spoons or syringes.
- If giving the medicine is difficult, contact your veterinarian or pharmacist for ideas to make dosing easier and to lower stress during medication time.
- This medicine may be used for different lengths of time. Make sure you understand how long your veterinarian wants you to keep giving it.
- You may need prescription refills before the full treatment period is finished.
- Do not stop this medicine without speaking with your veterinarian. There may be important reasons to keep using it.
What should I do if I miss giving a dose of this medication?
- If you forget a dose, give it as soon as you remember.
- If it is almost time for the next dose, do not give the missed dose. Instead, give the next dose at the regular time.
- Then continue with the normal schedule.
- Do not give two doses at once and do not give extra doses.
How should I store this medication?
- Keep this medicine in its original child-resistant prescription container, or in an approved dose reminder container (such as a pill organizer), at room temperature.
- Do not let liquid forms freeze.
- Store it where children and other animals cannot reach it.
Can handling this medication be hazardous to me, my family, or other animals?
- No special handling steps are needed unless you are allergic to this medicine.
- Wash your hands after you handle any medicine.
How should I dispose of this medication if I don’t use it all?
Do not flush this medicine in the toilet and do not pour it into a sink drain.
If your area has a community drug “take-back” program, use that option.
If there is no take-back program, combine the medicine with:
- used coffee grounds
- or cat litter
so it is unappealing to children and animals and not recognizable to people who might search the trash.
Put that mixture into a sealable plastic bag to prevent leaks, and place it in the household trash.
Do not keep leftover medicine for later use, and do not give it to anyone else.
What other information is important for this medication?
- Because this medicine can cause a dry mouth, make sure your animal can drink water at all times.
- Some animal competitions may not allow use of this medicine. Check the rules before entering your animal in a competition while your animal is receiving this medicine.
- If you have any other questions about this medicine, contact your veterinarian or pharmacist.
“Disclaimer: The information on this page is provided as general educational material only. Every animal’s health situation is unique, and treatment decisions must be based on a full veterinary assessment. Always follow the specific instructions given during your consultation, and contact the prescribing veterinarian if you have any concerns.”