Kinedryl

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Kinedryl

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Method of action: Antiemetic

Treatment option: Meniere Disease, Motion Sickness

Medically reviewed

Rosario Oropesa

Last updated on 22/12/2025

This page provides general, reference-level information compiled from official medical sources. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. For decisions about your health, please consult a qualified healthcare professional.

Overview of Kinedryl

Property Description
Active Ingredients Moxastine teoclate, Caffeine anhydrous
Form Oral Tablets
Pharmacological Class H1 Antagonist and CNS Stimulant
Common Use Symptomatic relief of motion sickness and vertigo
Origin Synthetic

What Type of Medicine is Kinedryl?

Kinedryl is a synthetic, fixed-dose combination medicinal product administered as an oral tablet. It is classified primarily as an antiemetic (anti-nausea/vomiting) and anti-vertigo agent. The combination of Moxastine teoclate with Caffeine anhydrous differentiates this formulation, positioning it for individuals managing travel sickness and vestibular disorders.

This medicine belongs to the high-level pharmacological class of first-generation H1 antagonists combined with a CNS Stimulant. The designation as a combination medicinal product ensures it targets symptoms while addressing potential side effects.


The Dual Composition: Moxastine and Caffeine

The active core of Kinedryl consists of Moxastine teoclate and Caffeine anhydrous. The primary therapeutic agent, Moxastine teoclate, functions as the H1 antagonist, while Caffeine serves as the CNS Stimulant. Both compounds are typically synthetic or highly purified, chemically derived substances.

The inclusion of Caffeine is a strategy to create a functional therapeutic profile. Xanthine derivatives, such as caffeine, are often used to reduce the sedative effects of other compounds. This supports the use of caffeine in combined formulas to maintain functional alertness.


General Purpose: Treating Dizziness and Nausea

The general purpose of Kinedryl is the high-level, symptomatic relief of distressing sensations such as nausea, vomiting, and vertigo that arise from conflicting signals in the inner ear. A typical application involves addressing symptoms experienced during travel, known as kinetosis.

By stabilizing the body's reaction to motion and simultaneously offering a mild stimulating effect, Kinedryl provides relief from disequilibrium and associated sickness, making it a targeted choice for patients requiring relief without severe sedation.

Regulatory References

  1. NIH MedlinePlus on Dimenhydrinate/Caffeine (Similar Combination)
  2. NIH LiverTox on Xanthine Derivatives (Caffeine)

What side effects are possible with Kinedryl?

Possible Side Effects and Safety Information

This section outlines the officially documented adverse reactions and regulatory safety considerations for Kinedryl, based on government regulatory documentation for its components, Moxastine teoclate (a first-generation H1 antagonist) and Caffeine anhydrous.

Documented Adverse Reactions

The adverse reactions associated with Kinedryl are grouped by the body system affected (System-Organ-Class):

System-Organ Class Officially Listed Effects
Nervous System Drowsiness, sleepiness, dizziness, headache, psychomotor impairment, disturbed coordination.
Antimuscarinic Effects Dry mouth, blurred vision, constipation, urinary difficulty or retention.
Gastrointestinal Occasional nausea and vomiting.
Psychiatric Agitation or stimulation (particularly noted in pediatric overdose).

Serious Adverse Reactions and Safety Restrictions

Certain clinically significant effects and use limitations are specified in regulatory labeling:

  • Serious Reactions: Documented serious risks include severe hypersensitivity reactions, such as Angioedema, and paradoxical Central Nervous System (CNS) excitation, including convulsions and hallucinations (noted primarily in cases of overdose).
  • Driving and Machinery: Due to the risk of drowsiness and impairment, individuals affected must not drive or operate machinery.
  • Substance Avoidance: The use of alcoholic beverages and other CNS depressants must be avoided due to enhanced sedative effects.
  • Cautionary Conditions: Caution is advised for patients with pre-existing conditions such as Glaucoma, Prostatic Hypertrophy, Cardiovascular Disease, and Hypertension.

Population-Specific Safety Notes

Official regulatory documents define specific limitations for certain populations:

  • Pediatric Use: The product is not recommended for use in children under 2 years of age. Caution is required in children aged 2 to 6 years.
  • Organ Function: Use is not recommended in patients with hepatic or renal function impairment.
  • Pregnancy and Lactation: Safety for use during pregnancy has not been established, and the product is not recommended during breast-feeding.

Overdose and Emergency Response

Overdose and when to seek help

Overdose of Kinedryl (Moxastine teoclate / Caffeine anhydrous) is defined by the severe toxic effects of its two components, primarily impacting the Central Nervous System (CNS) and Cardiovascular System, as documented in regulatory information.

Documented Manifestations and Actions

The official overdose profile is characterized by a dangerous combination of CNS effects, including both agitation and seizures alongside profound somnolence and coma. Cardiovascular instability is a major risk, with manifestations such as severe tachycardia, arrhythmias, and the potential for cardiac arrest.

Life-threatening outcomes documented in regulatory summaries include respiratory failure and ventricular fibrillation. Specific population risks note that pediatric patients are more susceptible to paradoxical CNS excitation and severe cardiotoxicity, while the elderly are prone to severe confusion and anticholinergic signs.

Required Emergency Response

Regulatory authorities mandate that immediate medical attention must be sought upon any suspected overdose. Emergency medical services must be contacted right away due to the high risk of severe, escalating, and potentially fatal complications. Treatment is defined as symptomatic and supportive, typically requiring specialized procedures like continuous cardiac monitoring and the use of activated charcoal in a hospital setting. No specific pharmaceutical antidote is listed in official labeling.

Therapeutic Uses of Kinedryl

Kinedryl is commonly used to help with symptomatic relief related to disequilibrium and motion-induced sickness. The class of medication to which the primary active ingredient belongs is commonly used to help with symptoms that interfere with daily functioning, such as nausea and vomiting.

This medication is applied across domains where short-term symptomatic assistance is needed for acute motion sickness (kinetosis), and for symptoms associated with acute or disruptive episodes linked to vestibular function. Key indications where it may be part of symptomatic management include nausea, vomiting, vertigo, and disequilibrium.

The symptomatic relief assists with maintaining functional stability when symptoms are more noticeable, highlighting that the primary purpose of the medication is relevant for easing symptoms that interfere with daily functioning.

It is relevant for easing the often-intense manifestations of these symptoms in conditions characterized by periods of heightened symptoms, such as during turbulent travel or in the context of Menière's disease. The use contributes to easing the overall symptom load and supports a more manageable experience for adults and children (aged 2 to 15 years).


Quick Fact: Symptomatic Support for Discomfort Kinedryl is applied in scenarios where short-term symptomatic assistance is needed to manage symptoms related to physical discomfort associated with travel or inner-ear disturbances, contributing to improved comfort.

Regulatory References

  1. NIH StatPearls overview of Antihistamines

Eligibility and Restrictions for Use

Eligibility Scope

Kinedryl's official eligibility is defined primarily by absolute contraindications related to age and reproductive status, as documented in regulatory product information.

Category Official Regulatory Statement
Populations Allowed Adults, adolescents, and children from 2 years of age.
Populations Contraindicated Children under 2 years of age, pregnant women, and breastfeeding women.
Age-Related Rules Use is contraindicated for children under 2 years of age. Approved use is established for children aged 2 to 15 years, adolescents, and adults.
Condition-Specific Rules No specific restrictions for populations based on hepatic, renal, or other comorbidity-linked functional impairment are explicitly documented in the label's eligibility sections.

Eligibility Classifications

The severity of non-eligibility is defined as Contraindicated, which signifies an absolute prohibition. The regulatory basis establishes use is strictly prohibited based on the age threshold of 2 years and the physiological states of pregnancy and lactation.

Official Eligibility Statements

  • The medicine is contraindicated for use in children under 2 years of age.
  • Use is contraindicated throughout pregnancy.
  • Use is contraindicated while breastfeeding.
  • The medicine is permitted for use in adults, adolescents, and children from 2 years of age.

What should I know about interactions with other medicines?

Kinedryl Interactions with other medicines and products

Kinedryl is a fixed-dose combination product containing Moxastine teoclate (H1 Antagonist) and Caffeine anhydrous (CNS Stimulant). The interaction profile reflects the properties of both active components, as documented in official regulatory sources.


Interaction Scope

Category Official Regulatory Documentation Statement
Medicinal product categories with documented interactions CNS Depressants, Anticholinergic Drugs, Beta-adrenergic stimulating agents, Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOIs), Tricyclic Antidepressants.
Specific interacting medicines Cimetidine, Ketoconazole (CYP1A2 Inhibitors); Phenobarbital (CYP1A2 Inducer).
Mechanistic basis of interactions Pharmacodynamic interaction (additive effects); Pharmacokinetic interaction (inhibition/induction of the CYP1A2 enzyme).
Population-specific interaction notes Caution regarding caffeine clearance in patients with impaired hepatic function or impaired renal function.

Interaction Classifications (High-Level)

Classification Type Official Regulatory Documentation Statement
Interaction severity classification Contraindicated/Prohibited Combination (MAOIs); Clinically Significant Interaction (CNS/Anticholinergic Drugs); Exposure-Altering Interaction (CYP1A2 Inhibitors/Inducers).

Resulting Interaction Structure

Official interaction statements:

  • Co-administration with Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOIs) is restricted or prohibited due to the potential for potentiation of effects from the antihistamine component.
  • Central Nervous System (CNS) Depressants result in additive CNS depression when combined with the antihistamine component.
  • The combination with CYP1A2 Inhibitors (e.g., Cimetidine) decreases the elimination of the caffeine component, leading to increased plasma levels.
  • Alcohol must be avoided during use due to the risk of additional CNS impairment.

Connection to the overall interaction profile (3 sentences):

Regulatory documents define the product’s interaction structure around pharmacodynamic reinforcement (additive CNS depression and anticholinergic effects) and pharmacokinetic exposure modification of the caffeine component via the CYP1A2 metabolic pathway. This structure leads to mandatory prohibitions, such as the restriction with MAOIs, and explicit substance restrictions, including the avoidance of alcohol and excessive dietary caffeine. The official profile classifies interactions that either alter the concentration of the active ingredients or increase the risk of known class effects.

Mechanism of Action

Central Vestibular Reflex Suppression

Kinedryl's anti-motion component, Moxastine teoclate, acts as an antagonist on both histamine H1 receptors and muscarinic cholinergic receptors within the brainstem's vestibular nuclei. By competitively blocking the excitatory signaling mediated by histamine and acetylcholine, the mechanism reduces excitatory neural signalling within the vestibular pathway. This physiological change constitutes a modulated response to movement input.


Functional CNS Arousal Counterbalance

The stimulant component, Caffeine anhydrous, modulates the purinergic system by acting as a competitive antagonist at adenosine receptors (primarily A1 and A2 A). This action relieves the inhibitory signals caused by endogenous adenosine, which consequently promotes the release of excitatory neurotransmitters. This function serves to mechanistically offset the inherent CNS depression caused by the H1 blockade, resulting in an elevated state of CNS arousal while the vestibular pathway modulation mechanism proceeds.

Dosage and Administration Information

Instruction Map: How to use Kinedryl — Administration Guidelines

This map consolidates the instructions for Kinedryl (Moxastine teoclate / Caffeine anhydrous), detailing procedural and dosing rules.


Administration Scope

Feature Details
Route of administration Oral (Tablet).
Dosing schedule Adults: 1 tablet (25 mg/30 mg) for prevention. For acute symptoms, initial dose is 2 tablets, with subsequent doses up to a maximum total of 4 tablets. Maximum daily dose for vestibular management is 8 tablets.
Timing in relation to meals (if applicable) The tablet must be swallowed with sufficient liquid.
Preparation requirements (if applicable) The tablet is scored and can be divided into two or four equal doses to facilitate required dosage adjustments.
Age-group administration rules Children 6–15 years: ¼ to ½ tablet per dose. Children 2–6 years: ¼ of a tablet per dose.
Missed-dose rules In the event of a missed scheduled dose, a double dose must not be taken to compensate.
Special procedural conditions The dose may need to be divided into 4 parts and administered sequentially over several minutes if the initial intake causes immediate vomiting.

Instruction Classifications (High-Level)

Classification Detail
Administration method type Oral.
Frequency pattern As-needed (Prophylactic or Acute), or multiple times per day (Vestibular management).
Classification Basis Standard Prescribing Information.
Use-context constraints Must be taken 60 minutes before a motion event or administered during an acute symptomatic episode.

Resulting Procedural Structure

Standard procedural sequence:

  • The initial dose is taken 60 minutes prior to the start of exposure.
  • For extended administration, a reduced dose may be repeated every 2 to 3 hours.
  • For acute symptomatic episodes, the repeat dose interval is shortened to 30 minutes, not exceeding a total maximum dose.
  • The tablet is administered by swallowing with sufficient liquid and can be physically divided for necessary dose precision.

Connection to the Overall Use Protocol

This protocol establishes a structured administration schedule that defines the initial dosing based on a 60-minute lead time for prevention, and sets precise numerical intervals for subsequent use. This framework outlines the dose ranges for adults versus the mandatory age-based reduction for the pediatric population. The protocol includes specific handling rules, such as the ability to divide the tablet and the prohibition of taking a double dose following a missed timing.

Recent Clinical Evidence

Research Evidence / Overview of Studies for Kinedryl

The available research provides context for how the active ingredients in Kinedryl (moxastine teoclate and caffeine anhydrous) was studied for acute symptoms of motion sickness and dizziness. The evidence for this specific medicine is often based on findings related to its primary antihistamine class, with specific studies for the fixed-dose combination remaining insufficient. Studies help show what has been observed so far, but research does not determine whether an individual will respond similarly.


Evidence for Use in Acute Motion Sickness (Kinetosis)

Research exploring how symptoms change over time in motion sickness was evaluated in Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs) and subsequent Systematic Reviews focused on the drug's primary component class. These short-term studies include populations of adults and children enrolled to observe responses over defined time intervals related to acute motion sickness. The research examined outcomes related to physical discomfort and systemic imbalance arising from motion.

Specifically, studies monitored outcomes related to acute symptoms, such as the frequency and severity of nausea and vomiting. Findings describe patterns observed in the studies related to the proportion of participants that studies monitored for symptom incidence during defined, acute motion challenges. The evidence for the use of the drug class is generally considered Moderate.


Evidence for Symptomatic Vertigo and Disequilibrium

The evidence base for using Kinedryl's primary component was studied for symptomatic vertigo and associated disequilibrium is drawn from Reviews of pharmacotherapy and comparative studies involving the drug class. This evidence is relevant in trials assessing short-term or episodic symptom patterns in adults who experience conditions characterized by fluctuating manifestations linked to inner-ear disturbances.

Research explored outcomes reflecting daily functioning and studies monitored symptom intensity or variability using standardized scales for dizziness and vertigo severity. The overall evidence level here is often described as Low, as data show patterns related to heterogeneity across studies for the broader class of agents. The precise role of the CNS stimulant component (caffeine) in managing vestibular function remains uncertain in the established literature.


What is Still Uncertain About Kinedryl Research

The research highlights what is known—and what is still uncertain—about this specific fixed-dose combination. The long-term outcomes are not fully established, as research primarily focuses on acute episodes. Data are still emerging for extended-duration outcomes.

Research also does not include dedicated studies on special groups such as older adults or individuals with specific comorbidities, meaning results apply only to the populations studied in the acute trials. Comparative evidence is lacking to show whether the addition of caffeine anhydrous has been observed in studies to impact outcomes related to physical discomfort when compared to the antihistamine used alone.

Key Studies & References

  1. Antihistamine Use in Children: A Safety and Efficacy Review

How should Kinedryl be stored and disposed of?

How to Store and Dispose of Kinedryl

The storage and disposal of Kinedryl (moxastine theoclate with caffeine) must strictly follow official regulatory guidelines to maintain product quality and safety.


Official Storage Requirements

Detail Regulatory Requirement
Temperature Store at a temperature below 25 C
Protection Must be protected from light and moisture
Packaging Keep the medicine in the original packaging
Child Safety Store out of the sight and reach of children

Disposal Instructions

Any unused or expired medicinal product must be disposed of in accordance with local requirements. The medicine should not be used after the expiration date printed on the package.

Attention! Always consult to a doctor or pharmacist before using pills or medicines.

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