Key Takeaways
- Dramamine may ease nausea during a hangover but can also make you more drowsy or confused
- Avoid mixing Dramamine with alcohol or taking it if you feel mentally foggy or extremely fatigued
- Frequent hangovers and overuse of medications could signal a deeper issue like alcohol misuse or mental health concerns
A Closer Look at Hangover Relief
Waking up after a night of drinking can leave you feeling miserable. Nausea, dizziness, fatigue, and light sensitivity can make even small tasks feel overwhelming. You might be wondering if over-the-counter meds like Dramamine can help ease the symptoms. After all, it’s used for nausea and motion sickness. But is it safe to use after drinking? Understanding what helps and what doesn’t when you’re hungover can prevent you from making things worse. Choosing the right remedy can make recovery easier and safer.
What Is Dramamine?
Dramamine is a well-known brand name for dimenhydrinate, a medication that helps manage motion sickness and nausea. It works by calming the areas of your brain that control balance and the urge to vomit. Many people take it before long car rides, flights, or boat trips. It helps prevent that spinning feeling or upset stomach that can make travel miserable.
However, Dramamine is widely available and known to cause sedation. Some people misuse it to escape stress or to induce drowsiness. Taking large amounts or using it frequently can lead to tolerance, dependence, and even hallucinations in extreme cases. Dramamine addiction is rare but real, especially when someone begins using it for reasons beyond motion sickness relief.
Does Dramamine Make You Tired?
Yes, one of the most common side effects of Dramamine is drowsiness. Many people also report feeling foggy, experiencing dry mouth, or noticing blurred vision. In higher doses, it can even cause confusion or grogginess that lingers. While it’s easy to buy over-the-counter, it’s not meant to be taken regularly or for long periods of time.
Can You Take Dramamine When Hungover?
It depends on the severity of your symptoms and your current state of being. If nausea is your main challenge, it may be able to provide temporary relief. However, if you’re feeling dizzy, dehydrated, or foggy, Dramamine could make you feel worse because of its sedative aspect.
More so, if you’re taking Dramamine while alcohol is still in your system, because of the sedation, you could feel more sluggish when combined. You’ll have mental fogginess or trouble focusing. Your reflexes will be more diminished. Your cognitive thinking could decrease. What is easy, like standing up too fast could cause a fall or accident. If you are already feeling sick after drinking, you could make your symptoms worse by introducing a sedative such as Dramamine.
What Should You Not Do When Hungover?
When you’re hungover, your body is already working overtime to detox and recover. Avoid anything that further stresses your system, like:
- Taking medications that depress the nervous system
- Drinking more alcohol (the hair-of-the-dog method is a myth)
- Engaging in high-stress or high-risk activities
Rest, hydrate, and allow your body to stabilize. Medications should be used cautiously and only if symptoms are severe or persistent. If you need to take more medication or drink just to feel normal, it could be a sign of a deeper issue with alcohol. That’s when it’s worth asking if your relationship with drinking is still serving your well-being.
What Medicine Not to Take When Hungover?
It’s important to avoid anything that could put extra strain on your body, especially when you’re already feeling run down. Stay away from medications or substances that can stress your liver, worsen dehydration, or make dizziness more intense. These include:
- Acetaminophen (Tylenol), which can stress the liver after drinking
- More alcohol, which can increase dehydration and impair judgment
- Dramamine in high doses, due to its sedative properties
Can I Take Motion Sickness Pills After Drinking?
Technically yes. You can take motion sickness pills like Dramamine after drinking. It should only be taken if the alcohol is fully out of your system and you’re feeling hydrated and stable. It’s not meant to be a quick fix for hangovers. You should never take it while you’re still under the influence, since it could increase drowsiness and make symptoms worse.
When Not to Take Dramamine?
In certain circumstances, Dramamine might be more harmful than helpful. You likely want to avoid taking it when you are still feeling alcoholic effects, very tired, confused, or dehydrated. The sedative effects can add to your symptoms and increase the likelihood of being injured or creating emotional distress.
If you have never used Dramamine and do not know how your body will respond to it, wait until you feel a bit more stable to use it. You could also check with a health care provider. If you also happen to have a history of medication abuse, or if you are working on mental health symptoms that can be affected by sedatives, then you would be wise to skip it altogether.
When in doubt of whether it would be safe to use, if you can, err to the side of caution. And if you find that you are often using it to deal with your hangover symptoms, it may be a signal to assess how much you are drinking.
Does Dramamine Work If You’re Already Sick?
If you’re already feeling sick from drinking, Dramamine might seem like a good idea. Especially if nausea or dizziness is part of the problem. In some cases, it can help calm your stomach or reduce that spinning sensation. However, it’s not a cure-all. If you’re dealing with fatigue, lightheadedness, or confusion, Dramamine may make those symptoms worse by increasing sedation.
It’s also important to consider what kind of “sickness” you’re feeling. If it’s mostly nausea from motion, Dramamine may help. But if you’re dehydrated, mentally foggy, or still processing alcohol, using Dramamine could do more harm than good. Always check in with how you’re feeling overall before reaching for medication.
When to Consider Professional Support
If hangovers are frequent or you’re regularly asking “Can I take motion sickness pills after drinking?” or “What medicine not to take when hungover?”, it may point to a larger issue.
Alcohol abuse doesn’t always look extreme. It can start with regular overuse, using medication to mask hangover symptoms, or ignoring signs of physical dependency.
At 12 South Recovery, we offer support for substance abuse, alcohol addiction, and mental health struggles. Our therapy, detox, and aftercare programs are designed to meet your needs in a safe, supportive setting.
If hangovers are affecting your quality of life or you’re turning to over-the-counter drugs too often, it might be time to reach out.
Let 12 South Recovery Help You
Dealing with the aftereffects of alcohol can be exhausting, but you don’t have to manage it alone. If you’re struggling with frequent hangovers, substance misuse, or just need support for your mental health, our team is here to help.
Call 12 South Recovery Today to speak with someone who understands what you’re going through. You deserve relief that’s safe and lasting.
