Motion Sickness

What is motion sickness?

Motion sickness happens when the body, inner ear, and eyes all send different signals to the brain, resulting in confusion and queasiness. You can get motion sickness in various degrees in planes, boats, trains, and cars.

When you can't avoid the motion that's making you sick, you can help relieve or prevent your nausea with over-the-counter motion sickness products that range from chewable tablets to liquid medications to wristbands.

How to choose motion sickness medications

Most brands of nonprescription motion sickness medications are equally effective, providing relief for about half the people who take them. So choose the price and form you prefer: tablets or liquid.

Antihistamines

The active ingredient in motion sickness medicine is an antihistamine like those used to treat allergies.

Dramamine, the most widely used motion sickness remedy, contains the antihistamine dimenhydrinate. Other brands use different antihistamines: For instance, Bonine has meclizine; and Marezine, cyclizine.

Motion sickness medications for kids

If you're buying motion sickness medicine for a child, read the label first. Dramamine is the only over-the-counter anti-nausea medicine that can be used for children as young as 2 years old. Marezine can be used for children age 6 years and older, and Bonine can be used for kids age 12 years and older.

Wristbands

Over-the-counter wristbands sold under the names Sea-Band and Relief Band offer a non-drug alternative for motion sickness prevention. Sea-Band works by applying pressure to the inner forearm, while Relief Band uses electrical stimulation to this area. Sea-Band may be used for children, but Relief Band may not. Unlike anti-nausea medications, wristbands don't cause drowsiness. So they may be a good choice for when you need to drive.

How to use motion sickness medicine

Use over-the-counter motion sickness medicines as directed on the packaging. To prevent motion sickness, take the medicine anywhere from a half-hour to one hour before going on an outing that might involve rocking, rolling, or swaying. You can apply wristbands before or during your outing.