The brand name Dramamine is the latest example of a well known, over-the-counter (OTC) medicine name being recycled for use in products that contain a different medicine or ingredients that differ from those in the original product. The original Dramamine (regular or chewable) contains 50 mg of dimenhydrinate (Figure 1). But there is now a Dramamine that contains a different medicine called meclizine 25 mg per tablet (Figure 2). And another product, Dramamine Non-Drowsy Naturals, does not contain a drug at all—it’s a supplement that only contains ginger root (Figure 3).
Packaging for all these products highlights the Dramamine name. When the same brand name (Dramamine) is used for products with varying ingredients, there is bound to be confusion regarding the product’s actual ingredients, strength, and concentration.
Here’s what you can do: Be sure to look at the package and read the Drug Facts section of the label. This will give you information about what the medicine contains—dimenhydrinate, meclizine, or ginger root. Read the other information on the package to see what the medicine should be used to treat and how often it can be taken. Ask your pharmacist for help to guide you in selecting the appropriate product for your needs.
