Traveling can be an exciting and enriching experience, but it can also come with some challenges, including the discomfort and inconvenience of motion sickness. Whether you’re traveling by car, boat, plane, or train, motion sickness can impair your trip and make it difficult to enjoy your destination fully.
Don’t worry; several motion sickness relief options are available to help combat these symptoms and make your travels more comfortable.
As a travel writer, I am excited to share with you some essential travel motion sickness medicine items that can help prevent and alleviate travel sickness so that you can focus on the fun and adventure of your next trip. From over-the-counter medications to natural remedies, we’ll cover a range of options to suit different preferences and needs.
What is motion sickness?
Motion sickness is a common disorder in the general population. It is a complex syndrome that occurs due to real or perceived motion. It can be triggered by lateral and vertical motion (like air, sea, and road transportation) or by virtual simulated motion, as in the case of video games, virtual simulators, etc. The most typical symptom of motion sickness is nausea. It is an uneasy feeling in the stomach that usually comes before vomiting. Vomiting, sweating and cold sweats, dizziness, fatigue, and headaches are also some of the common symptoms that occur due to motion sickness.
The Best Motion Sickness Medicines for Travelers –
Following are The best motion sickness travel medicines for travelers, which include over-the-counter and prescription options.
1. Avomine 25 mg –
Antihistamines are the most frequently and widely used medication for motion sickness, and Avomine is one of the most popular antihistamines used to prevent it. Its main ingredient is promethazine chocolate. It blocks the action of chemicals in the body, thus preventing nausea and vomiting. It also has a soothing property that causes drowsiness. Therefore, avoiding driving or operating heavy tools or performing activities requiring complete attention is advised.
The doctor usually decides the dosage based on age, gender, disease condition, and medical history. In motion sickness, a dosage of 25 mg is usually taken. However, it is always advised to consult a doctor before deciding on the dose. Possible Side effects may include:
2. Draminate 50mg –
It is also an antihistamine used to prevent and treat nausea caused due to motion sickness. The motion sickness medicine contains dimenhydrinate which acts as an anticholinergic by blocking the muscarinic cholinergic receptor of the brain, thus producing a calming and anti-nausea effect. It takes about 30-60 minutes to show its action. Side effects of the medicine include:
The side effects gradually resolve over time, but if they persist, it is advised to seek medical attention as soon as possible.
3. Stugeron 25mg –
It also belongs to the class of antihistamines used to treat motion sickness. Its main ingredient is cinnarizine (25 mg). This tablet is to be taken with food to avoid stomach upset. Some of the common side effects of this drug are-
Most side effects do not require medical attention and disappear as the body adjusts to the medicine. However, if the problems persist, it is advised to seek medical attention.
4. Meclizine (Bonine, Antivert) –
This is another over-the-counter motion sickness medicine that can help alleviate the symptoms of motion sickness. Meclizine works by blocking the action of histamine in the brain. Histamine is a chemical released in response to motion sickness and can cause nausea and vomiting. By blocking histamine, Meclizine can reduce the symptoms of motion sickness. You can take Meclizine about an hour before traveling to prevent motion sickness. The potential side effects of Meclizine include the following:
5. Promethazine –
This prescription medication can be used to treat motion sickness, although it is more commonly used to treat other conditions such as allergies, nausea, and vomiting. It works by blocking the action of histamine in the brain.
You can take Promethazine about 30 minutes to an hour before traveling to prevent motion sickness. The medicine comes in the form of tablets, suppositories, or syrup.
Promethazine may cause side effects such as:
6. Motion Sickness Patch –
The motion sickness patch relieves vomiting, nausea, and dizziness that are caused due to motion or travel sickness. This patch adjusts the control of the vagal nerve to the gastrointestinal tract, inhibiting the motility of the gastrointestinal tract and thus preventing nausea and vomiting. It should be attached to the back of the ears, and each patch lasts 1-3 days. In India, these patches contain herbal ingredients, but Western countries use Scopolamine patches for the same. As the safety of Scopolamine patches is unknown, it is advisable to use patches with herbal ingredients. The side effects of herbal patches are still unknown.
Complications Due to Motion Sickness and When You Should See a Doctor –
Vomiting due to motion sickness can cause excessive loss of fluids and may lead to dehydration, low blood pressure, electrolyte imbalance, and tachycardia (rapid heart rate). It should be dealt with immediately by medical professionals. See a doctor if the symptoms of motion sickness persist even after you have stopped traveling. Migraine or some inner ear disease might be the cause in such cases.
8 Tips to Ease Symptoms of Motion Sickness –
- 1. Eat light before traveling
2. Chew ginger candies or dried ginger while traveling
3. Try relaxing by slow breathing and laying back on the seat
4. Choose a seat where movement is the least. Occupy aisle seats on airplanes.
5. In case of vomiting, dehydration may occur- rehydrate yourself adequately
6. Avoid traveling on an empty stomach (eat less), and avoid alcohol and carbonated drinks before or during the journey.
7. Do not read a book or look continuously at the phone screen while traveling.
8. Only eat a large meal after traveling. Instead, eat small, frequent snacks to keep your stomach settled.
Summary –
Motion sickness can be a difficult experience to deal with, but fortunately, there are several medications available that can help alleviate its symptoms. The abovementioned over-the-counter motion sickness medicines have been proven effective in reducing nausea and vomiting associated with motion sickness. However, it’s important to consult with a healthcare professional before taking any medication to ensure its safety and efficacy, especially if you have pre-existing medical conditions or are taking other medications. Along with medication, following other tips such as choosing the right seat, avoiding reading, focusing on breathing, staying hydrated, avoiding heavy meals, and using ginger can also help reduce motion sickness symptoms.