It really annoys me when I’m trying to enjoy a trip or a long drive and my motion sickness hits me. There’s no way that I’m the only one who experiences this.
Motion sickness and allergies can be typical problems that can ruin a trip for those who enjoy traveling.
Fortunately, there are numerous over-the-counter drugs that can help with these symptoms. Among them, the two most widely used options are Dramamine and Benadryl.
Dramamine and Benadryl are the same drugs except for the fact that Dramamine contains an extra stimulant, 8-chlorotheophylline with diphenhydramine included in both drugs.
In this article, we will examine the main distinctions between these two medications to assist in selecting the one that best meets your requirements. So let’s get into it!
Introduction To Motion Sickness And Allergies
Before I talk about the two drugs, it’s essential to understand what exactly is motion sickness and an allergy.
Many people experience motion sickness while traveling. It can occur whether you are on a moving boat or in a moving car since it’s brought on by an inner ear disturbance.
Nausea, vertigo, and vomiting are signs of motion sickness.
On the other hand, allergies are brought on by the immune system overreacting to a foreign chemical.
Sneezing, itching, and runny nose are typical allergy symptoms.
What Is Dramamine?
A common over-the-counter remedy for motion sickness is Dramamine. It comes in a variety of forms, including liquid, chewable pills, and tablets.
Dimenhydrinate, the active component in Dramamine, blocks specific brain signals that are responsible for triggering nausea and vomiting.
Dramamine is helpful in preventing motion sickness, but it must be taken before symptoms appear.
The medication might not work as well if you wait until you are already queasy. Also, it’s crucial to strictly adhere to the dosage recommendations because consuming too much Dramamine might have negative side effects like sleepiness.
What Is Benadryl?
An over-the-counter drug called Benadryl is used to treat allergies. There are several different forms of it, including tablets, capsules, and liquids.
Diphenhydramine, the medication’s active component, prevents histamine’s effects on the body. When exposed to an allergen, the immune system releases histamine, its blockade can aid in the relief of allergy symptoms.
Sneezing, itching, and runny nose are just a few of the allergy symptoms that Benadryl is helpful in treating. However, it can also result in drowsiness and other negative side effects, making it crucial to strictly adhere to the dosage recommendations.
Differences Between The Drugs
Active Ingredients in Dramamine and Benadryl
Dramamine and Benadryl have different active components that function in various ways to create their effects.
The primary component of Dramamine is dimenhydrinate, which is made up of 8-chlorotheophylline and the antihistamine diphenhydramine (a stimulant).
The symptoms of motion sickness, such as nausea, vomiting, and dizziness, can be prevented and treated with dimenhydrinate.
While the 8-chlorotheophylline functions as a modest stimulant to combat the drowsiness brought on by diphenhydramine, it works by inhibiting histamine receptors in the brain that are linked to motion sickness.
Contrarily, Benadryl contains the antihistamine, diphenhydramine hydrochloride as its only active component.
Diphenhydramine functions by obstructing the body’s histamine receptors, which are connected to allergic symptoms like itchiness, hives, and sneezing.
Because it has sedative properties as well, it is occasionally used as a sleep aid.
It’s essential that you keep in mind that sleepiness and other side effects are possible with both dimenhydrinate and diphenhydramine.
Action
Benadryl and Dramamine both function differently to treat various symptoms.
Dramamine functions by obstructing specific brain signals that are responsible for triggering nausea and vomiting.
Whereas, Benadryl functions by preventing histamine’s effects on the body. When exposed to an allergen, Histamine blockade can aid in the relief of allergy symptoms.
Both drugs have the potential to make you sleepy, but Dramamine is more likely to do so than Benadryl. This is because Benadryl just includes diphenhydramine, whereas Dramamine has a cocktail of chemicals.
Uses
Both Dramamine and Benadryl are prescription drugs with widely varying uses.
Dramamine is frequently used to prevent and treat motion sickness symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and dizziness by obstructing the motion sickness-related histamine receptors in the brain.
Dramamine can also be used to treat nausea and vomiting brought on by other disorders or circumstances, such as chemotherapy, surgery, or other medical issues.
Dramamine can also be used to treat vertigo symptoms, which include a spinning sensation and dizziness.
Benadryl is frequently used to treat allergy symptoms like hives, sneezing, and itching. It functions similarly to Dramamine, obstructing the body’s histamine receptors, which are linked to allergic reactions.
If you have trouble falling asleep, you can use Benadryl as a sleep aid. Its sedative properties may aid in fostering calmness and slumber.
Moreover, Benadryl may occasionally be used to treat anxiety, particularly in those who have insomnia as a result of their anxiety.
Both Dramamine and Benadryl can result in sleepiness and other side effects, so it’s crucial to discuss the potential risks and benefits with your doctor or chemist before taking either medicine.
Following the suggested dosages and usage guidelines on the label or as instructed by your healthcare provider is also crucial.
Side Effects Of Dramamine And Benadryl
| Common Side Effect | Dramamine | Benadryl |
| Drowsiness | ✓ | ✓ |
| Dry mouth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Blurred vision | ✓ | ✓ |
| Confusion | ✓ | |
| Dizziness | ✓ | ✓ |
| Trouble urinating | ✓ | |
| Nausea | ✓ | |
| Loss of appetite | ✓ |
If you’re pregnant or have any previous medical history, it’s essential to carefully follow the dosage recommendations and consult your doctor before using any drug.
Precautions When Taking Dramamine And Benadryl
When using Dramamine or Benadryl, there are a few precautions you should follow.
First and foremost, it’s crucial to properly follow the dose guidelines. Both medications have negative effects, including sleepiness, when used in excess.
Second, before using any medicine, especially if you are pregnant or have any medical conditions, it’s crucial to consult your doctor. Some drugs might make some medical issues worse, like glaucoma or an enlarged prostate in men.
Finally, it’s crucial to abstain from sedatives like alcohol when taking either drug or taking both together. These substances can make other adverse effects, such as drowsiness, more likely.
Which One’s Better?
For motion sickness and allergies, it’s crucial to take your unique symptoms into account while deciding between Dramamine and Benadryl.
Although both are quite similar, Dramamine can be a better option if your primary motion sickness symptoms include nausea, vertigo, and vomiting. Benadryl might work better if your main symptoms are allergy-related ones like hives, itching, and sneezing.
Before taking either medicine, it’s crucial to discuss the potential dangers and advantages with your doctor or chemist, especially if you have any underlying medical conditions or are taking other prescriptions.
FAQs:
Is there a motion sickness remedy that works better than Dramamine?
A different choice is Bonine (meclizine). Bonine boasts “less sleepy” formulations than Dramamine.
This is primarily because Dramamine is taken every four to six hours as needed while Bonine is taken once daily.
Can you take Dramamine and Benadryl together?
When taking antihistamine allergy medications like Benadryl with medications that reduce motion sickness like Dramamine, use caution.
Its identical active components, dimenhydrinate to cure motion sickness and diphenhydramine to treat sniffles, red eyes, and sneezing, might result in excessive sleepiness.
Is Dramamine effective for allergies?
The symptoms of motion sickness, such as nausea, vomiting, and dizziness, are treated or prevented with Dramamine. Runny nose, sneezing, itching, rashes, redness, and watery eyes are some of the allergy symptoms that are relieved.
Conclusion:
- Dramamine and Benadryl are both effective medications for treating motion sickness and allergies, respectively. They are quite similar to each other except that Dramamine has an extra stimulant.
- If you are experiencing motion sickness, Dramamine may be the best choice. If you are experiencing allergies, Benadryl may be the best choice.
- It’s important to talk to your doctor before taking either medication, especially if you are pregnant or have any medical conditions.