What Is The Difference Between Meclizine And Dramamine?

Answer

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Dramamine is a brand name product that contains the active ingredient dimenhydrinate, which is an antihistamine. Meclizine is also an antihistamine but is generally less sedating. In fact, meclizine is the active ingredient in another Dramamine product, Dramamine Less Drowsy Formula. It is also the active ingredient in Bonine.

So, to discuss the difference between meclizine and Dramamine, I will focus on the difference between meclizine and dimenhydrinate.

Overall, both work well for motion sickness, but there are two main differences:

• Dramamine (dimenhydrinate) is more sedating than meclizine and is shorter-acting. It lasts around 4-6 hours per dose compared to around 12 for meclizine.
• Studies show that Dramamine (dimenhydrinate) is likely more effective for treating motion sickness than meclizine.

Dramamine (Dimenhydrinate) Information

Dimenhydrinate is actually two molecular compounds attached to each other.

• Diphenhydramine
• 8-chlorotheophylline

You may recognize diphenhydramine as it is the active ingredient in Benadryl. Dimenhydrinate is over 50% diphenhydramine by weight and therefore, the bulk of its effects comes from that.

Diphenhydramine is classified as a sedating antihistamine. Specifically, it is further classified as an ethanolamine antihistamine.

Ethanolamine antihistamines are known for their strong anticholinergic effects, which can cause the following side effects:

• Drowsiness
• Dry mouth
• Dry eyes
• Constipation

While many anticholinergic effects are undesirable, they also help to relieve motion sickness by inhibiting stimulation of the inner ear.

8-chlorotheophylline is a derivative of theophylline, which itself is structurally similar to caffeine. This makes dimenhydrinate slightly less sedating than Benadryl, but still can cause significant drowsiness in many individuals. This is why Dramamine Less Drowsy Formula exists.

In total, dimenhydrinate contains about 55% diphenhydramine and about 45% 8-chlorotheophylline.

Meclizine Information

Meclizine is also an antihistamine, but in a different class and generally has less sedating effects.

Unlike dimenhydrinate, which is an ethanolamine, meclizine is a piperazine-derivative.

As an antihistamine, meclizine works in the same manner as dimenhydrinate for the treatment of motion sickness. It does however have weaker anticholinergic effects than dimenhydrinate, which is why it tends to be better tolerated.

Dramamine Vs. Meclizine

As written above, the difference between Dramamine and meclizine is that they are different antihistamines:

In general, antihistamines with stronger anticholinergic effects are more effective in treating motion sickness. This would mean that Dramamine (dimenhydrinate) may work better in this regard when compared to meclizine.

Comparative studies often report results showing Dramamine is slightly more effective than meclizine. However, it can cause more sedation than meclizine. Additionally, it is shorter acting.

The choice of drug, therefore, is a balance between effectiveness, side effects, and how often each is dosed. If you are worried about being drowsy, meclizine (Dramamine Less Drowsy) may be an option to try.

Final Words

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