Is Dramamine pregnancy-safe?

When you’re pregnant, you already have to deal with morning sickness, swollen feet, and hormonal changes—but you’re also more likely to get motion sickness. It doesn’t seem fair, does it?

Fortunately, the drug Dramamine, which relieves motion sickness, can also help with morning sickness during early pregnancy —and is considered safe for pregnancy. Here’s what you should know about taking Dramamine while pregnant.

What is Dramamine?

Dramamine is a motion sickness medication. It’s designed to stop any symptoms you might have from motion sickness, including nausea, dizziness, or vomiting. Dramamine is the brand name of the generic drug dimenhydrinate, an antihistamine that blocks the histamine 1 (also known as H1) receptors that are in the brain, thereby reducing the effect they’ll have on your body. H1 helps manage immune system responses, including allergic inflammation. Dramamine can also be used to manage symptoms of vertigo and tinnitus.

Does Dramamine make you drowsy?

Dramamine doesn’t necessarily make you sleepy—every person reacts to it differently—but drowsiness is a known side effect of the drug. Effects can last between four and eight hours, so if you need to drive, it might be wise to skip taking it.

That being said, Dramamine does have some options that don’t cause drowsiness, like an all-day less-drowsy version made from meclizine and a regular non-drowsy version made completely from ginger. The ginger version has the full clinical dose of ginger required to prevent motion sickness, while other ginger options (like ginger ale or ginger chews) likely don’t.

Is Dramamine the same as Bendaryl?

Dramamine and Benadryl are not the same, but they are in the same class of drugs. G. Thomas Ruiz, MD, an OB-GYN at MemorialCare Orange Coast Medical Center in Fountain Valley, California, explains that Benadryl is the brand name for the generic antihistamine, diphenhydramine. Meanwhile, Dramamine is dimenhydrinate, which is diphenhydramine combined with 8-chlorotheophylline, a stimulant similar to caffeine.

Can you take Dramamine while pregnant?

Dramamine has been approved for use in pregnancy for motion sickness or morning sickness since 1972. In terms of pregnancy, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved it for Category B use, which means that animal studies show that it doesn’t harm the fetus or cause abnormalities—though this determination has not been based on solid studies with humans. 

Dramamine has been used during pregnancy for a long time, says Dr. Ruiz. He adds that there have been no known effects on the fetus from its use.

What is safe to take for nausea while pregnant?

In addition to Dramamine, the following drugs are generally safe to take for nausea during pregnancy:

• Antivert (meclizine) 
• Benadryl (diphenhydramine) 
• Unisom (doxylamine succinate) 
• Zofran (ondansetron)

You should always check with your OB-GYN before taking these medications. If needed, they may also prescribe Reglan (metoclopramide), Promethegan or Phenergan (promethazine), or Compazine (prochlorperazine). Dr. Ruiz does note, though, that those drugs likely won’t be prescribed unless all other medications have failed to provide relief. Make sure to discuss all pre-existing medical conditions with your healthcare provider before using a new medication. 

What is the best medication for motion sickness in pregnancy?

According to Jodie Pepin, Pharm.D., the clinical pharmacy program director at the University of Texas, the best medication for motion sickness in pregnancy is meclizine (sold over the counter as Bonine or Dramamine Less Drowsy). Meclizine, another Category B drug, is less likely to make you sleepy, which is why it’s most often preferred over other drugs. Standard Dramamine is just as good, though, if you don’t mind drowsiness, or it doesn’t affect you in that way.

Does Dramamine cross the placenta?

Dramamine does cross the placenta, but, as Dr. Ruiz mentioned, there’s been no documented evidence of birth defects or harm to the fetus over the many decades it’s been used.

How much Dramamine is safe for pregnancy?

The dosage of Dramamine for motion sickness when pregnant or morning sickness is the same dosage as for those who are not pregnant.

“Dimenhydrinate may be taken during pregnancy if recommended by an OB-GYN,” Dr. Pepin says. “A pregnant woman may take 25 mg to 50 mg every four to six hours as needed.”

Can I take two Dramamine while pregnant?

You should speak with your OB-GYN or another healthcare provider before going over the standard dosage. There may be times you will need more if your symptoms are severe.

“The recommendation is one tablet every six hours,” Dr. Ruiz says, “but you can actually go to two tablets every six hours if you need to if you’re that sick.”

Pregnancy is different for everyone, as is each person’s reaction to medication—especially while they’re expecting.

What are the side effects of Dramamine during pregnancy?

Similar to the dosage, you won’t find many changes in side effects when you take Dramamine during pregnancy.

Dr. Pepin says side effects of Dramamine include dizziness, drowsiness, impaired coordination, headache, dry mucous membranes, constipation, urinary retention, double vision, blurred vision, and low blood pressure.

When you’re pregnant, some of those side effects can be more uncomfortable than others, like drowsiness, dry mouth, blurred vision, or urinary retention. You’re likely already experiencing these things just because you are pregnant, so having a similar adverse effect added on top of how you’re already feeling could be rough. That’s something you’ll want to consider before taking Dramamine.

Other ways to alleviate nausea during pregnancy

You may be able to reduce nausea during pregnancy without Dramamine or other medications by trying the following lifestyle modifications and home remedies: 

• Eat small, frequent meals throughout the day
• Eat bland foods like crackers, toast, or plain rice that are gentle on the stomach
• Add ginger to your diet through ginger tea, ginger candies, or ginger-infused foods
• Stay hydrated
• Have flat Coke, Coke Zero, Ginger Ale, or 7-Up
• Try a Preggie Pop
• Take a Vitamin B6 supplement
• Spend time in the fresh air
• Practice mindfulness techniques to reduce stress and promote relaxation
• Distract yourself with an activity you enjoy
• Try acupressure techniques or wristbands that have been shown to provide relief in pregnancy

How can I stop nausea during pregnancy ASAP?

Unfortunately, there are no tried and true methods for stopping nausea instantly. You can try a couple of things that might make it a bit more tolerable, such as chewing mint gum or drinking ginger tea, but overall, immediate relief isn’t likely to happen.

What should I avoid to prevent pregnancy nausea?

To avoid nausea during pregnancy, stay away from acidic, fatty, and spicy foods. You’ll also want to skip anything excessively greasy, things that have strong smells, and really large meals. Carbonation can also cause nausea during pregnancy, as can skipping meals, being overly stressed, and sitting in high heat or poorly ventilated rooms.

You may not experience nausea at all while you’re pregnant—it’s different for everyone. If you do, though, keep in mind that for most people, it eventually goes away. The majority of people who are pregnant get used to the hormones (which is what causes the nausea) after the first trimester or about 13 to 15 weeks of pregnancy.