Dramamine and altered vision

[do it easy]

Has anyone noticed weird vision at depth when taking dramanine? On the last couple of boat dives when I took dramamine-less drowsy version (meclizine??), I noticed that my vision was distorted. When I turned my head from side to side to look around, it looked like the undersea world was painted onto a curved cylinder. Everything was sharp, but the distances seem to change as my peripheral vision moved to the foreground.

I also noticed double vision once when trying to read my compass, but that was probably because of a little water in the bottom of my mask. I wasn't too concerned at the time, so I didn't bother to confirm it was the water.

I can understand why the motion sickness drugs can affect vision, but I was wondering if anyone else noticed this as well. Or did I just get my mescaline confused with my meclizine?

 

[blues_diver]

I used to take Dramamine as i am a bit prone to sea sickness. Did not have any of the problems you mentioned.

There are other alternatives to Dramamine. Maybe you can have a look at this link.

http://scuba-doc.com/scubaclinic/viewtopic.php?t=158&sid=44bab603873f030c0b289d6fd7e1f625

 

[DandyDon]

Well, since you haven't received much in the way of responses, let me offer this...

Each DRAMAMINE Tablet contains 50 mg dimenhydrinate: http://home.intekom.com/pharm/searle/drammine.html

Dimenhydrinate is a combination of two drugs, diphenhydramine and chlorotheophylline. Dimenhydrinate is used to prevent and treat nausea, vomiting, dizziness, and motion sickness: http://www.vitacost.com/science/hn/Drug/Dimenhydrinate.htm

Diphenhydramine (dye fen HYE dra meen) is also found in 40 Winks, Aler-Dryl, Banophen, Benadryl, Calm-Aid, Compoz Nighttime Sleep Aid, Diphedryl, Diphen, Genahist, Hydramine, Nu-Med, Nytol Caplet, Quenalin, Scot-Tussin Allergy Relief Formula, Sleep, Sleepinal, Sominex, Twilite, Unisom Sleepgels Maximum Strength http://www.drugs.com/benadryl.html

If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately:

vision problems
difficulty urinating
muscle weakness
excitement (especially in children)
nervousness http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/medmaster/a682539.html

Two red flags that keep popping up to me as I read thru these sites are "allergic reactions possible" and "glaucoma." You just might be allergic to the drug so often used in allergy treatments. And how long since you were screened by an Optometrist for glaucoma...?

But you also mentioned meclizine? That is not the same drug! Which did you take?

What is the most important information I should know about meclizine?
• Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities. Meclizine may cause dizziness, drowsiness, or blurred vision. If you experience dizziness, drowsiness, or blurred vision, avoid these activities. http://www.drugs.com/meclizine.html

After reading all this, if I experience blurred vision from either, I'd not take it at all until I spoke with a physician about this.

Good luck on more informed advice, but this will get you started I hope

 

[BillP]

when I took dramamine-less drowsy version (meclizine??)

Each DRAMAMINE Tablet contains 50 mg dimenhydrinate

But you also mentioned meclizine? That is not the same drug! Which did you take?

Hey Don, yeah Dramamine Original Formula is dimenhydrinate like you say, but "do it easy" said he took Dramamine Less-Drowsy which is indeed meclizine like he thought. See:

http://www.pfizer.com/pfizer/do/counter/digestive/mn_dramamine_less.jsp

 

[DandyDon]

Hey Don, yeah Dramamine Original Formula is dimenhydrinate like you say, but "do it easy" said he took Dramamine Less-Drowsy which is indeed meclizine like he thought. See:

http://www.pfizer.com/pfizer/do/counter/digestive/mn_dramamine_less.jsp

Well Duh! :doh: Thanks for pointing out what I missed. But then this is why I hate using brand names.

Back to Meclizine...

What side effects may I notice from taking meclizine? (Back to top)
Side effects that you should report to your prescriber or health care professional as soon as possible:
•fainting spells
•fast or irregular heartbeat (palpitations)

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your prescriber or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):
•blurred vision <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
•constipation
•difficulty passing urine
•difficulty sleeping
•drowsiness, dizziness
•dry mouth
•headache
•stomach upset http://www.drugdigest.org/DD/DVH/Uses/0,3915,410|Meclizine,00.html