Dramamine and Alcohol: What Happens When You Mix Them

Dramamine can be easily found at most pharmacies, and, for some, this makes it seem less like medicine and safe to combine with alcohol. However, “over the counter” does not mean “safe with alcohol.” 

Dimenhydrinate is found in the original Dramamine product and is classified as an antiemetic to prevent and treat symptoms of motion sickness, including nausea, vomiting, and dizziness.[1]

This is important because alcohol can affect the same parts of the body that Dramamine affects: alertness, balance, coordination, and reaction time. So the best advice for anyone who has purchased Dramamine before travel by plane, ship, or car, or after a night of drinking, is simple: do not combine the two.

This article will dive further into why it is not a good idea.

Is It Safe to Drink Alcohol While Taking Dramamine?

No. It’s recommended that you don’t consume alcohol while taking Dramamine. The official Dramamine Original Formula label states that marked drowsiness may occur and that alcoholic drinks should be avoided. It also states that alcohol, sedatives, and tranquilizers may increase dizziness.[2]

For those wondering if they can just have one drink while on the medication, the answer remains the same: no. The label on your medication explicitly advises against drinking. In addition to possible immediate adverse effects, the combination of Dramamine and alcohol can result in reduced steadiness, alertness, and ability to respond quickly in situations where safety requires attention.

Why This Motion Sickness Med Interaction Happens

Dimenhydrinate is a first-generation antihistamine found in Dramamine Original Formula. 

Dimenhydrinate is the 8-chlorotheophylline salt of diphenhydramine and is used for motion sickness, nausea, and dizziness. Possible effects from dimenhydrinate include sedation, decreased motor skills, confusion, dizziness, blurred vision, dry mouth and throat, palpitations, and headache.[3]

That’s why combinations like diphenhydramine, Benadryl-type antihistamines causing sedation, and Dramamine alcohol interactions are often related. Although the specific product name matters, concerns surrounding all three are generally alike. An antihistamine that causes sleepiness is being combined with alcohol, which can also cause drowsiness, compounding the effects of the two.

The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism advises that mixing alcohol with certain drugs can result in nausea, vomiting, headache, drowsiness, fainting, loss of coordination, heart issues, and breathing problems.[4] For Dramamine, however, the largest day-to-day risk is rarely a rare chemical reaction. Rather, it relates to how sedative impacts can compound.

What Does Mixing Dramamine and Alcohol Do?

Most people report that their combination of Dramamine and alcohol makes them feel even more tired or impaired than anticipated. They may feel dazed, disoriented, unsteady, lightheaded, or delayed in reacting.

As stated by NIAAA, drinking alcohol while taking certain drugs can magnify sleepiness, drowsiness, and lightheadedness, and can negatively impact concentration and mechanical aptitude. In fact, a relatively small amount of alcohol can cause hazardous driving when combined with some medications.[5]

Some side effects of dimenhydrinate include drowsiness, new or increased dizziness, dry mouth, motor skill impairment, and fainting.[6] A few side effects require immediate consultation with a physician, including a rapid, pounding, or irregular heartbeat and blurred vision.[7]

Stated in everyday language, this mixture could lead to:

• More drowsiness or sleepiness than expected
• Dizziness or lightheadedness
• Decreased coordination and balance
• Slower reaction times
• Impaired motor skills
• Dry mouth or blurred vision
• Nausea or vomiting
• Fainting or near-fainting
• Confusion (especially if too much medication was consumed)

These conditions could create greater risks if you are traveling, on a boat, walking near stairs, caring for children, driving, or trying to judge whether you are sober enough to operate safely.

Can Dramamine and Alcohol Increase Drowsiness or Impaired Coordination?

Yes. This is one of the clearest concerns.

Alcohol affects judgment, balance, and reaction time by itself. Dramamine can also cause sedation and coordination problems. When the two are taken together, you may not recognize how impaired you are until you try to walk, drive, carry luggage, navigate a crowded airport, or respond to an emergency.

In addition to being extremely tired or having a hangover, taking dimenhydrinate while intoxicated increases your risk of falling and experiencing a serious injury, particularly among older adults.[8]

Because of this increased risk of falls and injuries, and because your body is still affected by the alcohol, do not take Dramamine to “get past” the nausea caused by too much alcohol. Taking Dramamine along with the grogginess, dizziness, and nausea from excessive drinking could put you into a state of extreme drowsiness.

Side Effects That Need More Attention

While most people associate dimenhydrinate side effects with drowsiness, there is another aspect of drug use which can result in severe consequences. Overdosing and misusing dimenhydrinate can lead to many serious complications.

Overdosing on dimenhydrinate can result in symptoms ranging from mild to severe and life-threatening, and can include blurred vision, dry mouth, dilated pupils, fast heart rate, agitation, confusion, seizures, delirium, drowsiness, hallucinations, tremors, lack of coordination, unsteady gait, nausea, and vomiting.[9]

Another issue associated with dimenhydrinate is misuse. According to a review, those who misuse dimenhydrinate report using high doses to achieve psychotropic effects such as hallucinations and feelings of euphoria.[10] Using dimenhydrinate in this way puts users at risk for unpredictable reactions. When combined with alcohol, misuse of dimenhydrinate can become hazardous rapidly.

If someone has taken too much Dramamine, mixed it with alcohol, or is acting strangely, confused, or overly sedated and hard to awaken, treat the situation seriously.

Who Should Be Especially Careful?

Certain people may be at a greater risk of developing negative side effects from dimenhydrinate before consuming alcohol. The Dramamine label advises consumers to consult their physician before using the product if they suffer from a respiratory disease like emphysema or chronic bronchitis, glaucoma, or difficulty urinating resulting from an enlarged prostate. The label also recommends consulting a physician or pharmacist before using the product if you currently take sedative or tranquilizer medications.[11]

Older adults need to exercise special caution as well. People age 65 and older may benefit from speaking with their physicians about the potential risks and benefits of taking dimenhydrinate, as it typically is not as effective or safe for this age group as other medications that provide similar relief.[12]

Older adults who take medications that induce sedation, including sleep aids, anti-anxiety medications, narcotic pain relievers, muscle relaxants, some allergy medications, or other antihistamines, are at an increased risk of adverse effects from mixing these drugs. Combining multiple sedating substances makes it harder to predict how your body will react.

What About Less Drowsy or Non-Drowsy Versions?

You cannot assume that simply because the packaging states “less drowsy,” a different type of motion sickness medication will be safe to consume with alcohol.

Dramamine contains either dimenhydrinate or meclizine depending on the version. The label for Dramamine Less Drowsy lists meclizine hydrochloride as its active ingredient, yet continues to warn against drowsiness, advises avoiding alcoholic beverages, and cautions that sedatives, tranquilizers, and alcohol may increase drowsiness.[13]

However, not all motion sickness products are alike. Check the labeling for the active ingredients and warnings against alcohol consumption before taking any over-the-counter medication for nausea or dizziness, whether you choose Dramamine, meclizine, Bonine, or another antihistamine.

What To Do If You Already Mixed Dramamine and Alcohol

First, do not drive, swim, boat, operate machinery, or do anything that requires alertness. Stop drinking alcohol, drink water if you are awake and able to swallow safely, and stay with someone who can monitor you.

Call a doctor, pharmacist, or Poison Control if you are unsure what to do, especially if you took more than the recommended dose or combined Dramamine with other sedating medications. The Dramamine label says that in case of overdose, you should get medical help or contact Poison Control immediately.[14]

If you believe that another person is exhibiting signs of severe confusion, hallucinations, seizure, fainting, repeated vomiting, chest pain, a fast or irregular heartbeat, or difficulty remaining awake, seek immediate assistance. 

If you suspect an overdose, call 911 or contact Poison Help via phone at 1-800-222-1222.

When This Points to a Bigger Problem With Alcohol

Accidentally taking Dramamine after a drink does not automatically mean someone has an alcohol use disorder. But a pattern is worth paying attention to.

It may be time to talk with someone if you often drink even after seeing medication warnings, use alcohol in situations where it is physically hazardous, take medication to manage frequent hangovers, or feel unable to cut back even when drinking is causing health concerns. 

Aura Recovery understands that determining whether there is an issue can sometimes be a complex process. While many people are intentionally misusing prescription medications or alcohol, others are simply dealing with issues such as nausea, anxiety, traveling, or hangover symptoms. Regardless of which category you fall into, support is available to help you understand what might be going on without fear of being judged. 

Reach out today for more information about supportive treatment options for those suffering from alcohol misuse, medication misuse, and co-occurring mental health disorders.