Can You Take Dramamine While Pregnant?

If you get motion sickness or nausea, you’re probably already familiar with Dramamine.

But can you take Dramamine while pregnant?

It’s a brand-name version of the antihistamine dimenhydrinate.

And it’s a safe and effective way to stave off nausea when you’re traveling.

During pregnancy, there’s a strong chance that you’ll experience pregnancy nausea and/or find that your usual motion sickness is worse.

So can you take Dramamine while pregnant to help ease those symptoms?

In this article: 📝

Can pregnant women take Dramamine?

Is Dramamine safe for pregnancy?

Generally, yes, it is considered safe for pregnant women to take Dramamine, but it’s always best to check in with your doctor first.

Dimenhydrinate (the active ingredient in Dramamine) is what’s known as a class B medication in pregnancy.

This means that we don’t have proof that taking it is completely risk-free, but animal trials haven’t shown any negative effects either – for the mama or the baby.

It’s the same category that acetaminophen (aka Tylenol or paracetamol) falls into.

There are still a couple of reasons why it’s best to check with your doctor or pharmacist first:

• While the basic formulation of Dramamine is fine, the same company makes other products with extra ingredients which aren’t safe during pregnancy. Your healthcare team can make sure you avoid those.
  
• Although Dramamine isn’t considered a drug to avoid during pregnancy, it isn’t recommended if you have blood pressure or thyroid problems. As some women have these conditions before or during pregnancy, it’s best to double-check before you take the medication.

Does Dramamine cross the placenta?

Yes, according to Drugs.com, Dramamine (otherwise known as dimenhydrinate) does cross the placenta during pregnancy.

But they also say that “although data suggest fetal harm is remote when this drug is used during pregnancy, the possibility of harm cannot be ruled out”.

But even if Dramamine does cross the placenta, it’s still worth talking with your doctor about taking it if you’re experiencing nausea or motion sickness.

They can help determine if the benefits of taking the medication outweigh the potential risks to your developing fetus.

Or they could suggest alternative treatments for your symptoms that are safer for use during pregnancy.

How much Dramamine is safe for pregnancy?

So how often can you take Dramamine while pregnant?

Well, there’s no single answer to this ‒ according to Drugs.com, animal studies have shown that doses of Dramamine up to 25 times the human dose did not cause any “fetal harm or impaired fertility”.

Plus, the limited clinical studies on pregnant women have not indicated any increased risk of abnormalities during any trimester.

But it’s always important to talk to your healthcare provider before taking any dosage of Dramamine during pregnancy.

What are the side effects of Dramamine in pregnancy?

The known side effects of taking Dramamine while pregnant are the same as when not pregnant ‒ drowsiness, constipation, blurred vision, and a dry nose, mouth, or throat.

But it’s worth being aware of these potential side effects, as they may increase your risk of falls or other accidents.

So if you’re thinking about taking Dramamine while pregnant for nausea or motion sickness, have a chat with your doctor about the potential side effects, too ‒ they may be able to offer some individual advice.

Can you take motion sickness pills while pregnant?

Whether you’ve always taken motion sickness pills before a long journey, or pregnancy is giving you motion sickness for the first time, you can take Dramamine to help you get through a journey.

A lot of women notice that they get worse motion sickness during pregnancy.

Your stomach is more sensitive than usual, you might be more prone to dizziness or low blood pressure, and it’s not as easy to find a comfortable position in a car seat as it is on your couch.

Just remember – while Dramamine is an option, not all motion sickness remedies are safe to take during pregnancy.

For example, the active ingredient hyoscine hydrobromide (in Kwells and Joyrides) is not safe to take during pregnancy, and cinnarizine (the active ingredient in Stugeron) is also out.

What about Dramamine for morning sickness?

If you have pregnancy sickness rather than travel sickness, talk to your doctor about what to do – especially if the nausea goes on all day or if it’s disrupting your usual routine.

You don’t just have to suffer through it, mama.

The first recommendation is usually to eat smaller, more regular meals, stay hydrated, reduce the amount of fat that you’re eating, and keep some plain snacks on hand at all times.

But if changing your diet doesn’t help, there are medications you can try.

Your doctor might recommend Dramamine, or other treatments might be a better fit for you.

What can I take for nausea and motion sickness while pregnant?

Some mamas-to-be would rather avoid medications for nausea – whether that’s pregnancy sickness or motion sickness.

If this is you, there are lots of natural remedies you can try:

• Ginger – either in foods like ginger cookies, in gum, candied ginger, or in ginger tea (adding some lemon can take away some of the spice, if you’re a mild mama).
  
• Peppermint – in tea, in breath mints, or as a few drops of essential oil that you breathe in from a cloth or diffuser.
  
• Fresh air – sometimes just opening the windows or breaking up a long journey can be enough to keep nausea at bay.
  
• Acupressure – there’s a pressure point in your wrist that can relieve nausea. Sea-Bands and other travel bracelets are designed with this in mind.
  
• Staying hydrated ‒ this one can be tricky if you can’t keep anything down, but even eating foods that are high in water content, like melon, cucumber, tomatoes, spinach, mushrooms, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, oranges, apples, and blueberries.

So, while some studies have suggested that Dramamine is safe for use during pregnancy, there is limited information on its potential effects on baby’s development in the womb.

Plus, the side effects of Dramamine can be a bit concerning during pregnancy, like drowsiness or dizziness that could lead to accidental falls.

But fear not, mamas-to-be!

There are plenty of other options available to help alleviate your motion sickness symptoms.

Whether it’s sipping ginger tea or using acupressure wristbands, many natural remedies may provide relief without the need for medication.

And, if you do need meds to manage your symptoms, your healthcare provider can help you weigh the potential risks and benefits of different options to find the safest and most effective treatment for you and baby.

So, while Dramamine may not be the first choice for managing motion sickness during pregnancy, there are still plenty of ways to keep your nausea and vomiting under control.

Remember to always talk to your healthcare provider before taking any medication during pregnancy, and stay safe and healthy!

Stay healthy, mama!