{"id":59469,"date":"2023-07-27T09:00:52","date_gmt":"2023-07-27T13:00:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=59469"},"modified":"2024-10-25T10:36:33","modified_gmt":"2024-10-25T14:36:33","slug":"can-you-take-dramamine-while-pregnant","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/can-you-take-dramamine-while-pregnant\/","title":{"rendered":"Is Dramamine pregnancy-safe?"},"content":{"rendered":"

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

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.<\/span><\/p>\n

What is Dramamine?<\/span><\/h2>\n

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 <\/span>dimenhydrinate<\/span><\/a>, 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.<\/span><\/p>\n

Does Dramamine make you drowsy?<\/span><\/h3>\n

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.<\/span><\/p>\n

That being said, Dramamine does have some options that don’t cause drowsiness, like an <\/span>all-day less-drowsy version<\/span><\/a> made from <\/span>meclizine<\/span><\/a> and a regular non-drowsy version made completely from ginger. <\/span>The ginger version<\/span><\/a> 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.<\/span><\/p>\n

Is Dramamine the same as Bendaryl?<\/span><\/h3>\n

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

Can you take Dramamine while pregnant?<\/span><\/h2>\n

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. <\/span><\/p>\n

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.<\/span><\/p>\n

What is safe to take for nausea while pregnant?<\/span><\/h3>\n

In addition to Dramamine, the following drugs are generally safe to take for nausea during pregnancy:<\/span><\/p>\n