Travacalm Original

Generic Name: Caffeine; Dimenhydrinate; Hyoscine hydrobromide
Product Name: Travacalm Original

Indication

Travacalm Original is indicated for prevention of motion sickness in adults and children greater or equal to 4 years.

Action

Dimenhydrinate, one of the active ingredients of Travacalm Original, is an antihistamine with central anticholinergic effects and is highly effective in the prevention of motion sickness.

Hyoscine hydrobromide also has strong anticholinergic effects.

Caffeine is used to counteract the sedative side effects of the other two ingredients, dimenhydrinate and hyoscine hydrobromide.

Dose advice

Dose information:

• Travacalm Original tablets may be taken with or without food.
• Travacalm Original tablets may be crushed and mixed with water, jam or honey before giving to children or those with swallowing difficulties.
• Travacalm Original is most effective when use for prevention but may have some effectiveness once symptoms are present.
• Travacalm Original may cause drowsiness. If you are affected, do not drive or operate machineries as your alerness may be compromised.
• Avoid drinking alcohol or other medications that may potentiate the sedating effects of Travacalm Original.

Contraindications:

Travacalm Original should not be used

• if you have known allergy to active ingredients of Travacalm Original, dimenhydrinate, hyoscine hydrobromide, caffeine
• in children under 2 years old
• if you are lactose intolerant

Precautions:

You must tell your doctor if you

• have glaucoma
• have emphysema
• have chronic pulmonary disease
• have shortness of breath
• have difficulty in breathing
• have difficulty in urination due to enlargement of the prostat gland
• have urinary retention
• have acute porphyria
• have epilepsy or seizure disorders
• are taking any other medicines, including those that you buy without a prescription from your pharmacy, supermarket or health food store
• are pregnant
• are breasfeeding or intend to breastfeed

Use in pregnancy (Category B2):

Despite it is consider safe to use Travacal original during pregnancy, you should check with your doctor before using Travacalm Original.

Lactation:

Small amounts of Travacalm Original active ingredients are excreted in breast milk. Travacalm Original should not be given to breastfeeding mothers unless the benefits of therapy outweigh the potential risks.

Schedule

Travacalm Original is Schedule 2.

Common side effects

All medicines have side effects. Most commonly the side effects are minor, however some can be more serious. Usually the benefits of taking a medication outweigh the associated side effects. Your doctor would have considered these side effects before starting you on Travacalm original.

Common side effects are those which occur in more than 1% of patients given Travacalm Original. These include:

• Drowsiness
• Dizziness
• Headache
• Blurred vision
• Tinnitus
• Incoordination
• Palpitations
• Low blood presure
• Dry mouth
• Lassitude
• Excitement
• Nausea

Uncommon side effects

Side effects which occur in less than 0.1% of patients given Travacalm original are considered uncommon. If you experience any of the listed side effects, or any other symptoms which appear abnormal or unusual, please tell your doctor.

• blood dyscrasias (prolonged therapy)
• fixed drug erruption

References

1. Australian Medicines Handbook. Dimenhydrinate. January 2008 [cited 2008 September 7]. Available from: [URL Link]
2. Australian Medicines Handbook. Hyoscine hydrobromide. January 2008 [cited 2008 September 7]. Available from: [URL Link]
3. MIMS Online. Travacalm Original. [cited 2008 September 7]. Available from: [URL Link]

For further information talk to your doctor.