Bonjesta vs Diclegis

Bonjesta and Diclegis are brand names for prescription drugs used for the treatment of nausea and vomiting in pregnancy.

10 mg doxylamine-pyridoxine, after being proven both effective and safe [8-12]. This combination was first introduced in the USA as Bendectin® in 1956.

The same drug was known as Diclectin in Canada, Debendox in the UK and Australia, and Lenotan in many other countries.

Here we will explain how they work, their similarities and differences, their side effects, and more. This should provide you with the basics to better understand your options.

What is Bonjesta?

Bonjesta is an FDA-approved (U.S. Food and Drug Administration) medication manufactured by Duchesnay USA. It is used for the treatment of nausea and vomiting during pregnancy (morning sickness) after other conservative management such as changes in the diet have not been effective.

The 2015 clinical consensus guidelines for NVP from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) recommend pyridoxine alone or in combination with doxylamine as first-line pharmacologic therapy.

Bonjesta contains two active ingredients called doxylamine succinate (Unisom) and pyridoxine hydrochloride (HCl) that work together to reduce your nausea and vomiting.

Doxylamine succinate is an antihistamine, a type of medicine normally used to treat allergies. Doxylamine can alter the balance of natural chemicals in your body called neurotransmitters that regulate activity in your brain. By changing your balance of neurotransmitters, doxylamine can act as a sedative, having a calming effect and reducing feelings of nausea and the need to vomit.

Pyridoxine hydrochloride, usually just called pyridoxine, is a vitamin belonging to the B family of vitamins (it’s vitamin B6). Research has shown that taking pyridoxine can help also reduce nausea and vomiting, although it’s not fully understood why.

It is not known if Bonjesta is safe and effective for use in women with severe nausea and vomiting of pregnancy, also known as hyperemesis gravidarum.

Bonjesta dosage

Bonjesta is available as an extended-release tablet formulation, in the following doses: Doxylamine succinate 20 mg, and pyridoxine hydrochloride 20 mg.

On Day 1, take one tablet at bedtime. If your symptoms are not controlled, take one tablet in the morning and one tablet at bedtime on day 2. Take on an empty stomach with water as food will delay the effects of this medication.

What is Diclegis?

Diclegis is an FDA (U.S. Food and Drug Administration) approved medication manufactured by Duchesnay USA. Diclegis is a prescription medication also used to treat morning sickness. It’s usually prescribed after changes in diet and other non-medical treatments have been tried but haven’t worked.

Diclegis contains the same two active ingredients, doxylamine succinate, and pyridoxine hydrochloride. It’s not fully understood how the two active ingredients in Diclegis work together to treat morning sickness, but research has shown that it can reduce your nausea and vomiting and that it’s a safe drug to use during pregnancy.

It is not known if Diclegis is safe and effective for use in women with severe nausea and vomiting of pregnancy, a condition also known as hyperemesis gravidarum.

Diclegis dosage

Diclegis is available as a delayed-release tablet, in the following doses: 10 mg doxylamine succinate and 10 mg pyridoxine hydrochloride.

Take two tablets at bedtime. If symptoms are not controlled increase to a maximum dose of four tablets daily (one in the morning, one mid-afternoon, and two at bedtime). Take on an empty stomach with water as food will delay the effects of this medication.

Common side effects of Bonjesta and Diclegis

The most common side effects of Bonjesta in clinical trials include:

• Drowsiness

More serious side effects of Bonjesta include:

• Blurred or loss of vision
• Fast heartbeat
• Headache
• Tight chest
• Difficulty breathing

The most common side effects of Diclegis in clinical trials include:

• Drowsiness

More serious side effects of Diclegis include

• Blurred or loss of vision
• Fast heartbeat
• Headache
• Tight chest
• Difficulty breathing
• Increased risk of falls, especially if you take Diclegis with alcohol, or central nervous system depressants, like sedatives, tranquilizers, or hypnotics, often found in pain and cough and cold medications

These aren’t all the side effects Bonjesta or Diclegis can cause. You can find more details in the patient leaflet that comes with your medication. If you have any concerns about side effects, talk to your physician or pharmacist.

Bonjesta and Diclegis drug interactions

Bonjesta can interact with other medications. These include:

• Monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) antidepressants, like Marplan, Nardil, Emsam, Eldepryl, Zelapar, or Parnate
• Any central nervous system (CNS) depressants, like sedatives, tranquilizers, hypnotics, certain painkillers, or cough and cold medicines

Diclegis can interact with other medications. These include:

• Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOI) antidepressants, like Marplan, Nardil, Emsam, Eldepryl, Zelapar, or Parnate
• Any central nervous system (CNS) depressants, like sedatives, tranquilizers, or hypnotics

Bonjesta and Diclegis can interact with other medications. This can change how Bonjesta and Diclegis and other medications work and can make side effects more likely. Tell your prescribing physician about all your drugs, including vitamins and dietary supplements.

Bonjesta and Diclegis contraindications

You should not use Bonjesta if you:

• Are allergic to the active ingredients doxylamine succinate or pyridoxine hydrochloride
• Are allergic to any of the other ingredients in Bonjesta
• Are allergic to any other antihistamines derived from other ethanolamines
• Are taking any of the medications that could interact with Bonjesta
• Are not a pregnant woman
• Are under 18 years of age

Talk to your doctor before taking Bonjesta if you:

• Have asthma
• Have any eye problems, particularly increased intraocular pressure or narrow-angle glaucoma
• Have any stomach problems, particularly a stenosing peptic ulcer or a pyloroduodenal obstruction
• Have a bladder problem called urinary bladder-neck obstruction
• Are breastfeeding or are planning to breastfeed

You should not use Diclegis if you:

• Are allergic to the active ingredients doxylamine succinate or pyridoxine hydrochloride, or any of the other ingredients in Diclegis
• Are allergic to any other antihistamines derived from ethanolamine
• Are taking any of the medications that could interact with Diclegis
• Are not a pregnant woman
• Are under 18 years of age

Talk to your doctor before taking Diclegis if you:

• Have asthma
• Have any eye problems, particularly increased intraocular pressure or narrow-angle glaucoma
• Have any stomach problems, particularly a stenosing peptic ulcer or a pyloroduodenal obstruction
• Have a bladder problem called urinary bladder-neck obstruction
• Are breastfeeding or are planning to breastfeed

If you have any concerns about Bonjesta or Diclegis side effects, talk to your physician, or pharmacist for medical advice. Also inform your healthcare provider about any medical conditions, supplements, and over-the-counter meds you are taking. You are also encouraged to report side effects to the FDA: visit http://www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.