Dormin

Dormin is an antihistamine that helps with sneezing, runny nose, watery eyes, hives, skin rash, itching, and other cold or allergy symptoms.

Dormin is also used to help with motion sickness, to help you sleep, and to treat some symptoms of Parkinson's disease. This sleep aid is not for children under 12 years old.

There are many different brands and forms of diphenhydramine available. Not all brands are mentioned in this guide.

Dormin may also be used for reasons not listed in this medication guide.

Use exactly as directed on the label, or as prescribed by your doctor. Dormin is only for short-term use until your symptoms go away.

Taking too much Dormin can cause serious heart problems, seizures, coma, or death.

Always follow the directions on the medicine label when giving Dormin to a child. Do not use this medicine just to make a child sleepy. Misuse of antihistamines in very young children can lead to death.

For motion sickness, take Dormin 30 minutes before you expect to be in a situation that causes motion sickness (like a long car ride, airplane or boat travel, amusement park rides, etc.). Continue taking this medicine with meals and at bedtime for as long as you are in a motion-sickness situation.

As a sleep aid, take Dormin within 30 minutes before bedtime.

You must chew the chewable tablet before swallowing it.

Measure liquid medicine carefully. Use the dosing syringe that comes with it, or a medicine dose-measuring device (not a kitchen spoon).

Take an orally disintegrating tablet from the package only when you are ready to take the medicine. Place the tablet in your mouth and let it dissolve without chewing. Swallow several times as it dissolves.

Call your doctor if the condition you are treating with Dormin does not improve, or if you have a fever with a headache, cough, or skin rash.

Do not use Dormin for more than 2 weeks to treat sleep problems, or longer than 7 days to treat cold or allergy symptoms.

Dormin can affect the results of allergy skin tests. Inform any doctor treating you that you are using Dormin.

Store at room temperature, away from moisture and heat.

Use Dormin exactly as directed. Taking too much Dormin can cause serious heart problems, seizures, coma, or death.

Do not use this medicine to make a child sleepy. Dormin sleep aid medicine is not for children younger than 12 years old.

You should not use Dormin if you are allergic to it.

Ask a doctor or pharmacist if this medicine is safe to use if you have ever had:

• an enlarged prostate or problems with urination;
• asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), or other breathing issues;
• glaucoma; or
• a thyroid condition.

Ask a doctor before using this medicine if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Dormin may slow down breast milk production.

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Dormin may cause serious side effects. Stop using Dormin and call your doctor right away if you have:

• severe drowsiness; or
• painful or difficult urination.

Side effects like dry mouth, constipation, and confusion may be more likely in older adults.

Common side effects of Dormin may include:

• drowsiness;
• dry eyes, blurred vision;
• dry mouth, nose, or throat;
• decreased urination;
• constipation;
• feeling restless or excited (especially in children); or
• daytime drowsiness or "hangover" feeling after night-time use.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Since Dormin is taken as needed, you might not follow a specific dosing schedule. If you miss a dose and it’s nearly time for your next dose, just skip the missed dose. Do not take two doses at the same time.

Seek emergency medical help or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222. Taking too much diphenhydramine can be deadly.

Signs of an overdose may include vomiting, confusion, extreme sleepiness, ringing in your ears, not being able to urinate, very dry eyes and mouth, enlarged pupils, rapid heartbeats, shaking, restlessness, hallucinations, or seizures.

Do not drive or do anything dangerous until you know how Dormin affects you. Your reactions might be slowed down.

Drinking alcohol can make some side effects of diphenhydramine worse.

Talk to a doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine that might have Dormin in it. This includes medicines for sleep, cold or allergy symptoms, or anti-itch creams for the skin. Taking too much of this medicine may cause a fatal overdose.

Ask a doctor or pharmacist before using Dormin with any other medicines, especially drugs that can cause drowsiness (such as opioid medication, sleep medicine, a muscle relaxer, or medicine for anxiety or seizures). Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any medicine you start or stop using. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed here.