Longtime dog owners know that our furry friends can experience the same sorts of health issues that humans do. From headaches to hypertension, to the nausea, vomiting, and disorientation caused by car sickness, dogs are just as susceptible to all the things we treat with medicine.
But do those same medications work for dogs?
In general, the answer is no. While some medications are relatively harmless in animals, others (like ibuprofen) can easily lead to serious health problems. One drug that has been shown to work just as effectively and safely in humans as it does dogs is Dramamine.
If your canine companion often gets sick in the car or is otherwise susceptible to nausea and vomiting, read through our complete, vet-approved guide to Dramamine for dogs.
What Is Dramamine?
Dramamine is a medicine used to reduce symptoms of motion sickness by disrupting the vestibular system in your pet’s ears. This system is responsible for controlling your sense of balance, and can be thrown out of whack when traveling in a vehicle.
Dramamine, also known by its generic name dimenhydrinate, is an antihistamine and anticholinergic drug. It combines the active ingredient diphenhydramine with 8-chlorotheophylline, which is a mild stimulant similar to caffeine, to counteract the nauseating effects of an overstimulated vestibular system.
Though Dramamine is not FDA-approved for use in pets as it is in humans, you’ll find many a vet willing to prescribe the drug. It is essentially a less potent form of Benadryl in its sedative and anxiety-reducing effects and carries with it a set of low-risk side effects.
