Diphenidol (Oral)

Diphenidol is used to help relieve or prevent nausea, vomiting, and dizziness caused by specific medical issues.

This medicine will increase the effects of alcohol and other CNS depressants (medicines that make you sleepy or less aware). Some examples of CNS depressants are antihistamines or medicine for hay fever, other allergies, or colds; sedatives, tranquilizers, or sleeping medicine; prescription pain medicine or narcotics; barbiturates; medicine for seizures; muscle relaxants; or anesthetics, including some dental anesthetics. Check with your doctor before taking any of the above while you are using this medicine.

This medicine may cause some people to have blurred vision or to feel dizzy, drowsy, or less alert than usual. Make sure you know how you react to this medicine before you drive, use machines, or do anything else that could be dangerous if you are dizzy or not alert or able to see well.

In deciding to use a medicine, you and your doctor must consider the risks of taking the medicine against the benefits it will provide. For this medicine, please consider the following:

Allergies

Inform your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also, let your healthcare professional know if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Pediatric

There is no specific information comparing the use of diphenidol for dizziness in children with its use in other age groups. Additionally, there is no specific information about using diphenidol for nausea and vomiting in children who weigh less than 22.8 kilograms (50 pounds).

Geriatric

Many medicines have not been studied specifically in older people. As a result, it may be unclear whether they work the same way in older adults or if they cause different side effects or issues in this age group. There is no specific information comparing the use of diphenidol in the elderly with its use in other age groups.

Breast Feeding

There are no adequate studies in women to determine the risk to infants when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.

Interactions with Medicines

Some medicines should not be used together at all, while in other cases, two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might happen. In these situations, your doctor may want to adjust the dose, or other precautions might be necessary. Inform your healthcare professional if you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine.

Interactions with Food/Tobacco/Alcohol

Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food due to potential interactions. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also lead to interactions. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

Other Medical Problems

Having other medical problems may affect the use of this medicine. Be sure to inform your doctor if you have any other medical issues, especially:

• Enlarged prostate or
• Glaucoma or
• Intestinal blockage or
• Low blood pressure or
• Stomach ulcer—Diphenidol may worsen these conditions.

• Kidney disease or
• Urinary tract blockage—This may lead to higher blood levels of diphenidol, increasing the chance of side effects.

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Not all of these side effects may occur, but if they do, they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:

Rare

• Confusion
• hallucinations (seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not there)

Symptoms of overdose

• Drowsiness (severe)
• shortness of breath or trouble with breathing
• unusual tiredness or weakness (severe)

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue, are bothersome, or if you have any questions about them:

More common

• Drowsiness

Less common

• Blurred vision
• dizziness
• dry mouth
• headache
• heartburn
• nervousness, restlessness, or trouble with sleeping
• skin rash
• stomach upset or pain
• unusual tiredness or weakness

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

If you are taking diphenidol to prevent nausea and vomiting, it may be taken with food or a glass of water or milk to lessen stomach irritation, unless otherwise directed by your doctor. However, if you are already suffering from nausea and vomiting, it is best to keep the stomach empty, and this medicine should be taken only with a small amount of water.

Take this medicine only as directed. Do not take more of it and do not take it more often than directed by your doctor. To do so may increase the chance of side effects.

Dosing

The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.

• For oral dosage form (tablets): Adults: 25 to 50 milligrams (mg) every four hours as needed. Children: The dose is based on body weight and must be determined by the doctor.

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

Storage

Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing.

Keep out of the reach of children.

Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.