Dramamine and the Stomach Virus

[Mike00047]

Hi all. I'm new to this forum and I'm really glad that I found it.


I've never taken dramamine before for nausea, but I've read in a lot of your posts that one can do that and it will be helpful. I've recently been exposed to the stomach virus and I'm going on vacation tomorrow. I'm afraid that I'm going to get sick while I'm away from home. I was wondering if I could take dramamine to prevent v******* if I get sick.


Thanks for your replies and I wish you all the best!

[crazybeautiful]

I think dramamine is the same as gravol.


it will help the nausea if you have any at the time.

[Jenneh]

first of all, welcome to our family


unfortunately, i know NOTHING about meds... so im not even gnna TRY and advise you!


glad u found us tho


Jen xxxxxx

[Mike00047]

Thanks so much Jen! I feel so welcomed!

[mystikal star]

I take Dramamine all the time. I always have some with me. Always, always, always. It will help you out. Just having it in my pursegives me peace of mind.Best of luck on your vacation.


And welcome to the site!! I'm Ashley and I'm sixteen. Edited by: mystikal star

[sunshine16]

Aww hi, welcome to our lil family. I hope that you find the support and help that you, as we all do, need here.


I take gravol often, which I suppose is the same, and as the package says, Prevention and Treatment of nausea and vomiting. Which I suppose means it prevents you if you haven't already v*ed, and treats it if you have.


That was no big help was it now?


Anyways, glad you've found this site and hope to see you around the fourm.


Oh by the way, have a fun vacation!Edited by: sunshine16

[skon]

I once read a news story about a norwalk outbreak at an RCMP training camp in manitoba once...they had mentioned that most of the sick guys stopped vomiting with dramamine injections. So I guess it does work.


A better idea would be to keep dramamine with you just in case, but load up on astragalus and echinacea. If you have any of the virus in you then its a good idea to take care of it before it takes hold.


I take dramamine all the time, almost every day. I've been off it for a couple days because I've been feeling a bit better, but it was quite a long gravol bender I was on. It really eases the anxiety of it all.

[buttercup]

I guess I don't really know much about it, but I think dramamine is really for motion sickness, I'm not sure if you have a virus if it will help. I'll tell you what will definitly help if you can get it (I will preface this by saying that I'm aware that it's gross, but hey, I'll do whatever it takes) is a prescription supository (in case anyone doesn't know, you stick it in your butt, see told you it was gross) to control nausea. My sister had a stomach bug one time when we were on vacation and couldn't stop v*, the doctor called in a presciption for these and she stopped right away. I caught the virus and felt sooo sick, but I used one of the supositories and I never v* (I know I was really sick and not just panic becuase of fever and stuff).


Anyways, maybe this was no help? Definitly keep the dramamine on hand, but I'm sure you won't be sick. Have a good vacation and welcome, this is a great site!

[sunshine16]

Wow, thats really aweful for you to have gone through! Thank god you didn't v*!

[buttercup]

Yeah, it was pretty bad. That's when I became afraid to go on trips with my sister. I had to stay in a one room hotel with her all night and then fly next to her on the plane on the way home. I swear I to this day would not go on a trip with her!

[Babydoll]

I'm pretty sure it would work, but you have to take it when your not close to V*ing, because you could V* it up if its too late. Just make sure lol. it takes about 15 min to work usually.

[Mike00047]

Wow! Thank you all so much for the helpful information. My mind will definitely be able to rest easier now that I am armed with more knowledge. Also, its such a comforting feeling to know that I am not alone to wrestle with my phobia.


Thank you all again!

[mbs730]

I'm
not sure what the stuff is called here in Canada but isnt emetrol more
effective? Forgive me I am not a expert on drugs but I have heard that
emetrol is very effective, even more so that gravol/dramamine.



Miriam

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[buttercup]

Emetrol, yes, I completely forgot about that! Yes, I think dramamine is for motion sick, and emetrol is for other nausea. It's like a really sweet syrup. There's a picture of a rainbow on the bottle, if anyone goes looking for it.

[mbs730]

They
dont sell that stuff here in Canada, I really would love to know what
it is here unless I already do and just not thinking lol I am tired!



Miriam

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[dr6625w]

Dramamine is the U.S.-Pfizer brand name of an anti-histamine drug called Dimenhydrinate HCl. In some European countries it's marketed as "Gravol."


As an anti-histamine, Dramamine works by, of course, blocking histamines, which are certain chemicals that trigger nervous system responses. For example, a salt of Dimenhydrinate HCl also sold in the U.S. is a well-known drug by the name of Benadryl, which is used for treatment of hives and other allergic reactions.


When you are nauseous, it is because chemicals - including histamine - direct your nervous system to make you feel so. Dramamine blocks your body from producing this chemical, and as a result it can prevent/relieve nausea and has depressing effects on the central nervous system (most frequently drowsiness, dizziness, blurred vision).


As far as OTC (over-the-counter) anti-enemic drugs go, Dramamine is not considered by the conventional medical establishment as being the most effective. Meclizine HCl (brand names "Bonine" and "Dramamine-Less Drowsy"), also available OTC, is generally considered to have equal or more effectiveness than Dimenhydrinate HCl, with fewer side effects.


Dramamine and Meclizine are most effective in controlling nausea related to vestibular disturbance (motion sickness), and probably would not be very useful in managing nausea and vomiting caused by an infection.


For nausea and vomiting related to infection, or typically in post-operative settings, doctors usually administer one of a class of drugs called phenothiazines, such as Promethazine HCl ("Phenergan"). Phenothiazines are a newer class of anti-histamine that appear to be quite effective in controlling nausea. In the U.S., they are available only by prescription.


Dan

[dr6625w]

...and while I'm on the topic of drugs, Emetrol syrup may be the most effective in controlling nausea caused by infection or pregnancy, short of getting a doctor's prescription.


The key active ingredients in Emetrol are dextrose (glucose) and levulose (fructose). In other words: sugar. Sugar in moderate doses has a calming effect on the stomach and can relieve nausea. You can get the same effect from sipping lemon-lime soda or ginger ale.


Most doctors will not prescribe anti-enemic drugs to those with routine intestinal illnesses unless there is a serious risk of complications from dehydration or damage to the gastrointestinal tract. This is for your safety: the risk of serious side effects or interactions from the prescribed medication is greater than the risk of complications frommost stomach viruses.


Your best bet for treating a stomach virus would, in my opinion, be a combination of stomach-friendly substances (Emetrol, soda) and Dramamine (it will let you sleep).