Motion Sickness
Definition
Motion sickness consists of a group of signs & symptoms that develop in response to real or perceived motion.
Artificial means of transportation
Mechanical vehicule , sailing, skiing, horseback riding, camel riding, flying and space flight.
Greater in women
Predisposing factors
Past hx of motion sickness
Alcohol
Fatigue- sleep deprivation
Drugs
Emotional state
Pallor
Cold sweating
Hyperventilation
Hypersalivation
Nausea-vomiting
Abdominal disconfort
Dehydration
Some drowsiness
Lethargy
Small piece of cotton plugged in one external ear in the nondominant side
Eye fixation at the horizon
Avoiding room with an outside view aboard ship
Select a position in the most stable part of the vehicule
Ensure a seat with good visibility
Use restraints across the upper body and lean against a headrest (minimizing head motion)
Sitting in a semireclining position
Focus visually on a distant point or take over the driving vehicule
Avoid reading & other task requiring focusing up close
Ensure good ventilation
Metal strip fixed on a car
Eat only small & low fat meals
Avoid alcohol beverages & smoking
Medications are most effective when taken prior onset of symptoms.
|
Generic Name |
Brand Names* |
Dosage Form |
Adult Dose |
Onset |
Duration |
|
Dimenhydrinate |
Dramamine Gravol |
25 mg, 50 mg tablet and capsule; 12.5 mg/4ml, 15.62 mg/5ml liquid |
50-100 mg |
30 min. |
4-6 hours |
|
Diphenhydramine |
Benadryl |
12.5 mg, 25 mg, 50 mg tablets & capsule; 6.25 mg/5ml and 12.5 mg/5 ml liquid; 50 mg/ml injectable |
25-50 mg |
30 min. |
4-8 hours |
|
Promethazine |
Phenergan |
12.5 mg, 25 mg, 50 mg tablets & capsule; 6.25 mg/5ml and 25 mg/5 ml liquid; 12.5 mg, 25 mg, and 50 mg suppository; 25 mg/ml and 50 mg/ml injectable |
25 mg |
30 min. |
8-12 hours |
|
Meclizine |
Antivert Bonine Bonamine Dramamine II & others |
12.5 mg, 25 mg, and 50 mg tablets and capsule |
25-50 mg |
60 min. |
24 hours |
|
Cinnarazine = |
(Sturgeon) |
25 mg tablet |
25 mg |
2 hours |
8 hours |
|
Cyclizine |
Marezine |
50 mg tablet; 50 mg/ml injectable |
50 mg |
30 min. |
4-6 hours |
|
Scopolamine |
Transderm-Scop; Transderm-V; Scopace |
1.5 mg patch; 0.4 mg tablet |
1 patch; 0.4-0.8 mg (oral) |
8 hours (patch) 1 hour (oral) |
72 hours (patch) 6-8 hours (oral) |
* Used in the US and/or Canada
= Not available in North America
Travellers should be advised that nearly all anti-motion sickness drugs can produce drowsiness as side effects. They should avoid driving or operating machinery when taking these drugs and avoid concomitant use of alcohol or other CNS depressant to prevent potentially life threatening additive effects.
The drugs have varying degrees of other anti-cholinergic effects including dry mouth, blurred vision, tachycardia , headache, vertigo, restlessness, euphoria, hallucination, constipation, urinary retention and rash.
1. DuPont HL, Steffen R. Textbook of Travel Medicine and Health. First Edition. BC Decker Inc, Hamilton, London. 1997
2. Jong EC, McMullen R. The Travel and Tropical Medicine Manual .Third Edition. Saunders, Philadelphia, Pensylvania. 2003
3. Website: www.travax.com
Nicole Denommé
Ottawa Hospital-General Campus
Fax: (613) 737-8009
e-mail: ndenomme@ottawahospital.on.ca