TRAVELGUM ® is a Dimenhydrinate based drug.
THERAPEUTIC GROUP: Antiemetics - Antinauseants.
Indications TRAVELGUM ® Dimenhydrinate
TRAVELGUM ® is indicated in the prevention of nausea and vomiting during travel by car, train, plane and ship.
Mechanism of action TRAVELGUM ® Dimenhydrinate
The formulation of TRAVELGUM ® in chewable gum guarantees an effective perilingual absorption of about 60% of the total content of Dimenhydrinate, with a significant first pass hepatic metabolism and an estimated half-life of around 4-6 hours.
Its therapeutic efficacy is essentially due to the antihistamine capabilities of the active ingredient guaranteed by the structure similar to diphenhydramine which makes it a quick remedy for motion sickness symptoms, also known as "movement diseases" which occur in particularly predisposed subjects.
The antiemetic and antinausean action of the active principle is realized through the inhibition of the H1 receptors for histamine, expressed above all at the level of the gastro-intestinal tissue and responsible for the symptoms associated with cienetosis.
Studies carried out and clinical efficacy
1. DIMENHYDRINATE AND INFECTIOUS GASTROENTERITIS
Pediatrics. 2009 Oct; 124: e622-32. Epub 2009 Sep 14.
Dimenhydrinate in children with infectious gastroenteritis: a prospective, RCT.
Uhlig U, Pfeil N, Gelbrich G, Spranger C, Syrbe S, Huegle B, Teichmann B, Kapellen T, Houben P, Kiess W, Uhlig HH.
Vomiting is one of the symptoms associated with the onset of infectious gastroenteritis in children. In most cases it is responsible for potentially dangerous dehydration for the health of the little ones. The use of dimenhydrinate today represents a therapy used in some states, but recent studies have shown that, although it is able to reduce the frequency of vomiting episodes, it is not able to improve the degree of hydration, thus reiterating the above all preventive role of this active ingredient.
2. DIMENHYDRINATED AND VERTIGO
Clin Drug Investig. 2008; 28: 89-99.
A fixed combination of cinnarizine / dimenhydrinate for the treatment of patients with acute vertigo due to vestibular disorders: a randomized, reference-controlled clinical study.
One of the symptoms most commonly associated with vestibular syndrome is the onset of dizziness and subsequent nausea. The use of dimenhydrinate concomitantly with other drugs has been shown to be particularly effective both in reducing dizziness and the feeling of nausea and vomiting associated with these conditions.
3.DIMENIDRINATO AND POST-OPERATIVE NAUSEA
Acta Anaesthesiol Scand. 2002 Mar; 46: 238-44.
Dimenhydrinate for prophylaxis of postoperative nausea and vomiting: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
Kranke P, Morin AM, Roewer N, Eberhart LH.
Post-operative nausea, associated with sedative therapy, is one of the most annoying clinical manifestations following surgery, making the post-operative course particularly complicated. Although dimenhydrinate is now a possible therapeutic approach useful for preventing this condition, it is not at the moment there is a statistical evaluation, such as to be able to compare the efficacy of this drug to others of the same category. For this reason, a "careful critical and clinical re-evaluation is needed in order to establish the correct role of this drug in the treatment of postoperative nausea.
Method of use and dosage
TRAVELGUM ® Chewable gummy 20 mg Dimenhydrinate:
The intake of this medicine should begin concurrently with the appearance of the first symptoms of nausea associated with motion sickness and possibly continue for a maximum of 4 sugared almonds a day taken at regular intervals of 3-4 hours, following the persistence of symptoms .
The dose should be halved in pediatric patients.
Taking into account that the first therapeutic effects occur a few minutes after taking TRAVELGUM ® to be maximized within the first two hours, it is possible to take the medicine before a specific trip, in order to prevent the possible appearance of the aforementioned symptoms.
Warnings TRAVELGUM ® Dimenhydrinate
In order for the correct perilingual absorption of the active ingredients contained in TRAVELGUM ® to be guaranteed, it is important that the candy is chewed and not swallowed.
The presence of glucose and sucrose in the drug require controlled use in patients with diabetes or glucose malabsorption syndromes, while the presence of aspartame makes its use particularly dangerous in patients with phenylalanine hydroxylase enzymatic deficiency.
The ability of the drug to counteract normal renal and urinary excretory function could worsen the clinical condition in patients with prostatic hypertrophy or with impaired bladder and excretory function.
Some of the sedative effects induced by inhibition of H1 histamine receptors, particularly drowsiness and dizziness, could make the use of machinery or driving a car dangerous.
PREGNANCY AND BREASTFEEDING
Pharmacokinetic studies and clinical trials have not shown toxic or teratogenic effects of Dimenhydrinate when taken during pregnancy even during the first trimester. Despite these data, it would still be advisable to avoid taking this medicine during the first trimester of pregnancy, and possibly, in the following trimesters, to use it only in case of real need and under strict medical supervision.
Interactions
The sedative effects induced by the antihistamine action of TRAVELGUM ® can be enhanced by the concomitant intake of drugs with hypnotic, sedative and tranquilizing action.
On the contrary, some of the most important side effects, such as ototoxicity, associated with the therapy with dimenhydrinate, could be masked by the concomitant intake of drugs with antibiotic action, becoming evident only when the symptoms become particularly intense and the relative damage irreversible.
Contraindications TRAVELGUM ® Dimenhydrinate
TRAVELGUM ® is contraindicated during the first trimester of pregnancy and the subsequent lactation period, in case of hypersensitivity to one of its components and in patients with phenylketonuria.
Undesirable Effects - Side Effects
Among the most common side effects, described after taking TRAVELGUM ® are associated with the sedative effects of the drug, with the appearance of drowsiness, dry mouth, accommodation, headaches and anorexia.
Allergic reactions of a dermatological nature have been described more rarely as well as dizziness, asthenia, insomnia, tremors and hypotension.
Note
TRAVELGUM ® is an OTC drug, without a prescription, therefore freely salable.
The information on TRAVELGUM ® Dimenhydrinate published on this page may be out of date or incomplete. For a correct use of this information, see the Disclaimer and useful information page.
