Dimenhydrinate overdose

Dimenhydrinate is a type of medicine called an antihistamine.

Dimenhydrinate overdose occurs when someone takes more than the normal or recommended amount of this medicine. This can be by accident or on purpose.

This article is for information only. DO NOT use it to treat or manage an actual overdose. If you or someone you are with has an overdose, call your local emergency number (such as 911), or your local poison center can be reached directly by calling the national toll-free Poison Help hotline (1-800-222-1222) from anywhere in the United States. 

Poisonous Ingredient

Dimenhydrinate can be harmful in large amounts.

Where Found

Dimenhydrinate is found in some allergy medicines. It is also in many medicines used to treat nausea, vomiting, and motion sickness.

• It may be in medicines with these brand names:
• Dramamine
• Driminate
• Wal-Dram
• Gaviscon Nausea
• Airmit
• Gravol
• Marmine
• Nico-Vert
• Triptone

Symptoms

Below are symptoms of a dimenhydrinate overdose in different parts of the body.

BLADDER AND KIDNEYS

• Inability to urinate

EYES, EARS, NOSE, MOUTH, AND THROAT

• Blurred vision
• Dry mouth
• Enlarged pupils
• Very dry eyes
• Ringing in the ears

HEART AND BLOOD VESSELS

• Low blood pressure
• Rapid heartbeat

  Rapid heartbeat

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NERVOUS SYSTEM

• Agitation
• Confusion
• Seizures

  Seizures

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• Delirium

  Delirium

  Delirium is sudden severe confusion due to rapid changes in brain function that occur with physical or mental illness.

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• Depression

  Depression

  Depression may be described as feeling sad, blue, unhappy, miserable, or down in the dumps. Most of us feel this way at one time or another for shor...

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• Drowsiness

  Drowsiness

  Drowsiness refers to feeling abnormally sleepy during the day. People who are drowsy may fall asleep in inappropriate situations or at inappropriate...

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• Hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that aren't there)
• Increased sleepiness
• Nervousness
• Tremor
• Unsteadiness

  Unsteadiness

  Walking abnormalities are unusual and uncontrollable walking patterns. They are usually due to diseases or injuries to the legs, feet, brain, spinal...

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SKIN

• Dry, red skin

STOMACH AND INTESTINES

• Nausea
• Vomiting

Before Calling Emergency

Have this information ready:

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

Poison Control

Your local poison control center can be reached directly by calling the national toll-free Poison Help hotline (1-800-222-1222) 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 United States 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.

What to Expect at the Emergency Room

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

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

Tests that may done include:

• Blood and urine tests
• Chest x-ray
• ECG (electrocardiogram, or heart tracing)

Treatment may include:

• Fluids through a vein (by IV)
• Medicines to treat symptoms or reverse the effects of the overdose
• Activated charcoal
  
• Laxative
  
• Breathing support, including a tube through the mouth into the lungs and connected to a breathing machine (ventilator)

Outlook (Prognosis)

Recovery is likely if the person survives the first 24 hours. Complications such as pneumonia, muscle damage from lying on a hard surface for a long period of time, or brain damage from lack of oxygen may result in permanent disability.

Few people actually die from an antihistamine overdose. However, serious heart rhythm disturbances may occur, which can cause death. 

Keep all medicines in child-proof bottles and out of reach of children.