| Summary: | Dimenhydrinate (marketed as Gravol in Canada and Dramamine in the United Kingdom and the United States) is an over-the-counter (OTC) antihistamine indicated for the prevention and relief of nausea and vomiting from a number of causes. It is an H1 receptor antagonist that demonstrates anticholinergic activity. Abuse of dimenhydrinate has been reported, and often involves ingestion of high doses to induce psychotropic effects, including hallucinations and euphoria. Psychiatric patients may also abuse dimenhydrinate to achieve an anti-anxiety effect. In addition to frank abuse, OTC medications, including dimenhydrinate, may be misused when taken in higher doses or for a longer duration than indicated on the product monograph. Potential for drug dependence is also a concern in situations of dimenhydrinate abuse or misuse. Given these potential risks, some jurisdictions have chosen to store and sell dimenhydrinate under pharmacist supervision;5 however, it is available without any restrictions in other jurisdictions. The purpose of this report is to identify the recent clinical evidence on the potential misuse or abuse of dimenhydrinate, in order to inform decision making regarding appropriate access to this drug within the pharmacy
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