NVP Counselor
Date: 2003-07-16

Question:
Hi I am from Adelaide, Australia and came across your website in regards to Hyperemesis Gravidarum as my wife has been diagnosed with this and has been admitted into hospital 4 times before she was 10 weeks. I have followed the recipe for Diclectin by using a B6 tablet (25mg) and 12.5 mg of doxylamine succinate. I have been giving my wife (after speaking to both her Dr and the Women?s Hospital) a double dose at night, one in the morning and one at lunch. There is talk of Diclectin being slow release, is that by design of the tablet or the combination of drugs. I am assuming using the combination I am that it is absorbed quickly. If that is so should I try to bring in another dose during that day as she still has bad nausea but has stoped her actual vomiting.

Answer:
Diclectin pills are coated to keep them from dissolving in the stomach -- hence their "delayed action." As a result, absorption takes about 4 hours. Relief is provided for about 8 hours after "release." Most women who take Diclectin in Canada take 2 pills at bedtime (best after 10 pm), 1 in the early morning and 1 in early afternoon to be protected around the clock. Women with severe symptoms may take up to 8 pills daily. You may want to read a Motherisk study that reviewed the safety of the larger dose: Journal of Clinical Pharmacology 2001;41:842-45.

Since the B6 and doxylamine succinate that your wife is taking are not delayed release, she may want to talk to her doctor about adjusting the doses to cover a 24-hour period.