Gravol is the brand name for the non-prescription medicine dimenhydrinate. There is also a Gravol brand with ginger. This information is only about Gravol with dimenhydrinate.
Gravol is used to prevent and treat nausea and vomiting. But it is sometimes used in other ways, because in large doses it can give a "high" and cause hallucinations (seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not there).
If you take high doses every day, your brain gets used to Gravol, and you need to take more to get the same effect. At high doses, Gravol can change your heart rhythm and cause seizures.
Pharmacists may keep Gravol and other dimenhydrinate brands behind the counter.
Short-term effects
When you use Gravol at usual doses as recommended, common short-term side effects include:
- drowsiness
- dizziness
- blurred vision
- dry mouth
- feeling unusually nervous or excited
- trouble concentrating or moving as usual
Younger children will feel all these effects more than adults. Older adults are more sensitive to these effects, especially if they have delirium or dementia.
Be careful using Gravol if you are driving or doing other things where you have to be alert. Be careful if you take Gravol when exercising or on a hot day, because it can make you sweat less so your body cannot cool down as usual.
You should
not take Gravol if you have glaucoma or lung diseases such as bronchitis or emphysema.
Long-term effects
Using large amounts of Gravol for a long time can cause problems such as:
- depression
- feeling confused
- having no energy
- vomiting
- trouble urinating (peeing)
- trouble thinking or socializing
When you stop using Gravol after using it for a long time, the withdrawal symptoms may include:
- excitability
- weakness
- discomfort
- poor appetite
- stomach cramps
- nausea
Mixing Gravol with other substances
Mixing Gravol with alcohol, codeine, cannabis, or sleeping pills can have unexpected effects. You may become too drowsy and not be able to walk or talk normally.
Large doses (overdose) can cause:
- sluggishness
- paranoia
- agitation
- memory loss
- increased blood pressure and heart rate
- trouble swallowing or speaking
- hallucinations
Overdose
An overdose can happen when you take more than the maximum recommended dose of Gravol. It can cause:
- confusion
- unusual behaviour
- loss of muscle coordination
- trouble breathing
- high fever
- convulsions or seizures
- coma
Children will have these symptoms at lower doses than adults. They are especially prone to seizures.
You can die from an overdose of Gravol. If you think you or someone else has taken too much Gravol, call the Poison and Drug Information Service at 1-800-332-1414 (Alberta only). Staff are specially trained in overdoses and poisoning.
Questions
If you're concerned about your or someone else's Gravol use, or you want to learn more about substance use, call the Addiction and Mental Health Helpline, any time of the day or night, at 1-866-332-2322 (Alberta only).
An overdose may be life threatening. Anyone who thinks they (or someone else) has taken too much Gravol, please call PADIS (Poison and Drug Information Service) at 1-800-332-1414 (Alberta).
