“What are the best medicines to avoid motion sickness?”
I have a long flight at the end of the week, but I have severe motion sickness. Unfortunately, I have to go on this trip because of work. Are there any medicines I can take to prevent any motion sickness?
5 Answers
Pamela Payne-Foster
Preventative Medicine Specialist | Public Health & General Preventive Medicine
Tuscaloosa, Alabama
Hello, There are some great over the counter medicines aimed at addressing motion sickness. My husband has taken before cruises. Ask the pharmacist. Additionally, you can go to a provider and get a patch which has same medicine and is effective. Pamela Foster
There are several medications available over-the-counter and by prescription that can help prevent or alleviate motion sickness symptoms. Common options include antihistamines like dimenhydrinate (Dramamine) or meclizine (Bonine). These medications can help reduce nausea and dizziness associated with motion sickness. It's advisable to consult with a healthcare provider or pharmacist to determine the most suitable medication and dosage for your specific needs and medical history. They can provide personalized recommendations based on your situation and advise on any potential side effects or precautions. Additionally, you may find it helpful to sit near the wings of the plane, keep your eyes focused on the horizon or a fixed point, and avoid reading or looking at screens during the flight to minimize motion sickness symptoms.
Meclizine
Dramamine
Scopolamine
Dramamine
Scopolamine
Gravel 100mg, long-acting, non-drowsy is best, but if you cannot find that, just relax sleep through 2 hours of the flight.
To prevent motion sickness there are a number of things you can do:
• Consume foods and drinks that agree with you. Avoid excessive alcohol and foods or liquids that cause you indigestion, nausea or gas or make you feel unusually full. Heavy, spicy, or fat-rich foods may worsen motion sickness.
• Choose a seat where you will experience the least motion. The middle of an airplane over the wing is the calmest area of an airplane. On a ship, those in lower level cabins near the center of a ship usually experience less motion than higher or outer cabins.
• Do not sit facing backwards from your direction of travel.
• Sit in the front seat of a car.
• Do not read while traveling if you are prone to motion sickness.
• When traveling by car or boat, it can sometimes help to keep your gaze fixed on the horizon or on a fixed point.
• Open a vent or source of fresh air if possible.
• The over-the-counter medication meclizine (trade names are Bonine, Antivert, Dramamine) can be a very effective preventive measure for short trips or for mild cases of motion sickness.
• Your doctor also may choose to prescribe medications for longer trips or if you repeatedly develop severe motion sickness. The most common prescription medication is a patch containing scopolamine (Transderm-Scop). You would apply the patch about 4 hours before travel. Its major side effect is drowsiness.
• Consume foods and drinks that agree with you. Avoid excessive alcohol and foods or liquids that cause you indigestion, nausea or gas or make you feel unusually full. Heavy, spicy, or fat-rich foods may worsen motion sickness.
• Choose a seat where you will experience the least motion. The middle of an airplane over the wing is the calmest area of an airplane. On a ship, those in lower level cabins near the center of a ship usually experience less motion than higher or outer cabins.
• Do not sit facing backwards from your direction of travel.
• Sit in the front seat of a car.
• Do not read while traveling if you are prone to motion sickness.
• When traveling by car or boat, it can sometimes help to keep your gaze fixed on the horizon or on a fixed point.
• Open a vent or source of fresh air if possible.
• The over-the-counter medication meclizine (trade names are Bonine, Antivert, Dramamine) can be a very effective preventive measure for short trips or for mild cases of motion sickness.
• Your doctor also may choose to prescribe medications for longer trips or if you repeatedly develop severe motion sickness. The most common prescription medication is a patch containing scopolamine (Transderm-Scop). You would apply the patch about 4 hours before travel. Its major side effect is drowsiness.
