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Dimenhydrinate overdose

Definition

This is poisoning from taking an excessive amount of dimenhydrinate, a type of antihistamine.

Alternative Names

Dramamine; Dimetabs

Poisonous Ingredient

Dimenhydrinate

Where Found

Dimenhydrinate is an ingredient found in some allergy medicines, as well as medicines used to treat nausea and vomiting.

It may be found in:

  • Calm-X
  • Dimetabs
  • Dramamine
  • Gravol
  • Hydrate bullet
  • Marmine
  • Nico-Vert
  • Triptone
Note: This list may not be all inclusive.

Symptoms

Heart and blood

Gastrointestinal

  • Anorexia
  • Dry lining of the stomach and intestines

Lungs

  • Breathing difficulty

Nervous system

Before Calling Emergency

Determine the following information:

  • Patient's age, weight, and condition
  • Name of the product (ingredients and strengths, if known)
  • Time it was swallowed
  • Amount swallowed
  • If the medicine was prescribed for the patient

Poison Control, or a local emergency number

The National Poison Control Center (1-800-222-1222) can be called from anywhere in the United States. This national hotline number will let you talk to experts in poisoning. They will give you further instructions.

This is a free and confidential service. All local poison control centers in the U.S. use this national number. You should call if you have any questions about poisoning or poison prevention. It does NOT need to be an emergency. You can call for any reason, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Take the container with you to the hospital, if possible.

See National Poison Control center.

What to expect at the emergency room

The health care provider will measure and monitor the patient's vital signs, including temperature, pulse, breathing rate, and blood pressure.

The patient may receive:

  • Medicines to treat symptoms
  • Medicines to make the person throw up
  • Activated charcoal
  • A nasogastric (NG) tube thru the nose into the stomach to empty the stomach (gastric lavage)   

Expectations (prognosis)

If the patient survives the first 24 hours, a good recovery is likely. Few patients actually die from an antihistamine overdose.

Review Date: 2006-03-18
Reviewed By: Janeen R. Azare, PhD, MSPH, Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. © 1997- A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.
The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. © HealthProfessor LLC. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.