Comparative Pharmacology
Head-to-head clinical analysis: DIMENHYDRINATE versus EMEND.
Peer-Reviewed Evidence
Head-to-head clinical analysis: DIMENHYDRINATE versus EMEND.
DIMENHYDRINATE vs EMEND
Comparing the clinical profiles, pharmacokinetic behaviors, and safety indices of these two therapeutic agents.
Dimenhydrinate is a histamine H1 antagonist with central anticholinergic activity. It acts by blocking H1 receptors in the brain's vomiting center and inhibiting vestibular stimulation. It also has anticholinergic effects by binding to muscarinic receptors, reducing motion sickness.
Selective substance P/neurokinin 1 (NK1) receptor antagonist, which inhibits the binding of substance P in the emetic pathway.
50-100 mg orally or intramuscularly every 4-6 hours as needed; maximum 400 mg per day. For motion sickness, 50-100 mg 30 minutes before travel.
125 mg orally once 1 hour before chemotherapy; then 80 mg orally once daily on Days 2 and 3.
None Documented
None Documented
Clinical Note
moderateDimenhydrinate + Venlafaxine
"The risk or severity of adverse effects can be increased when Dimenhydrinate is combined with Venlafaxine."
Clinical Note
moderateDimenhydrinate + Nefazodone
"The risk or severity of adverse effects can be increased when Dimenhydrinate is combined with Nefazodone."
Clinical Note
moderateDimenhydrinate + Stiripentol
"The risk or severity of adverse effects can be increased when Dimenhydrinate is combined with Stiripentol."
Clinical Note
moderateTerminal elimination half-life is 5-10 hours in adults, longer in elderly or hepatic impairment (up to 15 hours).
9–13 hours (terminal) in healthy adults; clinically, this supports once-daily dosing. In patients with severe renal impairment (CrCl <30 mL/min), half-life is prolonged to ~16 hours.
Primarily renal, with 60-80% of the dose excreted unchanged in urine; minor biliary/fecal elimination accounts for <10%.
Primarily metabolized; ~5% unchanged in urine, ~57% in feces as metabolites, ~32% in urine as metabolites. Renal elimination of parent drug is minimal.
Category C
Category C
Antiemetic
Antiemetic
Dimenhydrinate + Clomipramine
"The risk or severity of adverse effects can be increased when Dimenhydrinate is combined with Clomipramine."