What Medicines Are Used For Motion Sickness?

If you’re still bothered by motion sickness, there are several medicines available which can reduce, or prevent, symptoms of motion sickness. You can buy these medications over the counter from pharmacies. Medicines for travel sickness work by interfering with the nerve signals described above.

Medicines for motion sickness are best taken before the journey. The medicine still helps even if you take them after symptoms have begun, although once you feel sick you won’t absorb medicines from the stomach very well. So, at this point, sublingual tablets that you put against your gums, or skin patches, are more likely to be effective.

Some motion sickness medicine have side effects which include drowsiness and may interfere with alcohol or other medication; our pharmacist can advise you about this.

Which medicines can I buy from the pharmacy for motion sickness?

Hyoscine
Hyoscine is usually the most effective medicine for motion sickness. It is also known as scopolamine. It works by preventing the confusing nerve messages going to your brain.

• Scopolamine – the most commonly prescribed medication for motion sickness. It must be taken before symptoms start. It is available as a patch that is placed behind the ear 6-8 hours before travel.

There are several brands of medicines which contain hyoscine – they also come in a soluble form for children. You should take a dose 30-60 minutes before a journey; the effect can last up to 72 hours. Hyoscine comes as a patch for people aged 10 years or over. (This is only available on prescription – see below.) Side-effects of hyoscine include dry mouth, drowsiness and blurred vision.

Antihistamines
Antihistamines can also be useful, although they are not quite as effective as hyoscine. However, they usually cause fewer side-effects. Several types of antihistamine are sold for motion sickness. All can cause drowsiness, although some are more prone to cause it than others; for example, promethazine, which may be of use for young children on long journeys, particularly tends to cause drowsiness. Older children or adults may prefer one that is less likely to cause drowsiness – for example, cinnarizine or cyclizine.

• Cyclizine – is most effective when taken at least 30 minutes before travel. It is not recommended for children younger than 6, and side effects are similar to scopolamine.
• Promethazine – should be taken 2 hours before travel. The effects last 6-8 hours. Side effects may include drowsiness and dry mouth.

Remember, if you give children medicines which cause drowsiness they can sometimes be irritable when the medicines wear off.

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How To Prevent Motion Sickness

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