Does anyone have tips for curing air sickness? I take gravol/dramamine and it helps me to sleep on a flight. Wondering if there are some better products (prescription or non-prescription) that I might try.

There are several prescription drugs available which combat motion sickness.

One of then is called scopalomine. It comes in the form of a transdermal patch. You must have a prescription from your doctor to buy it. There is also a related prescription drug called Scopace which is very similar to the patch, but it is taken orally. It is in reality scopolamine bromide.

The scopolamine patch needs a 4 hour head start to be fully effective, so says my medical wife. She cautions that a doctor's advice is needed and the drug requires a prescription.

Over the counter, you can buy dramamine. The usual advice I have heard is that you need to take the dramamine two hours before exposure to motion sickness conditions.

In December 2002 the medical magazine called Consultant contained an article by Dr. Seale of Mercer University on the topic of travel medicines. In addition to the drugs mentioned above, Dr. Seale referenced one drug called promethazine and another one called meclizine. Both are antispasmodic, antiemtic type drugs.

Promethazine was/is sold under the brand name Phenegrin.

Meclizine is sold under several brand names including Antivert.

Both of these drugs are legally available by prescription only. So if you are interested, talk with a qualified physician. They all have side effects that should be fully considered before taking them.

I have tried just about every motion-sickness drug there is (as well as Sea-bands which you put around your wrist and work on your acupuncture points). Dramamine works the best for me, better than the patch/Scopalomine. There is a non-drowsy version of Dramamine you can buy in the USA which last for 24 hours and is fantastic for long trips. I only wish you could buy it here in Australia.
Kay

Bonine is a non-drowsy motion sickness drug that works for me.

Absolut minis???

Gretchen:

Because one of my son's has motion sickness I am interested. He usually takes dramamine non drowsy which you can purchase over the counter but he is not entirely happy with it.

Do you need a prescription for Bonine?

Thanks.
Sandy

Here are a few non-drug suggestions:

1) drink lots of water during the flight, and stay away from wines and liquors

2) choose a seat right over a wing. IMHO, this is the area of least motion. In the back of the plane you tend to "bounce" a lot.

3) My eyes are very sensitive to light, so I wear dark glasses, which seems to help with the motion problem as well.

easytraveler

A friend of mine and frequent travel companion has severe motion sickness problems. She now wears the wrist bands which have worked better than any of the drugs she has tried over the years.

Demand I seat next to the most obnoxious person on the flight. You will be so annoyed you will forget about your air sickness. For added assurence sit in front of a little kid who likes to kick the seat in front of him. Continually pressing the help button above your seat will also help the flight attendants keep if off your mind.

Ginger capsules or candied ginger slices work well for me. The wrist bands don't help me at all.

As a long time airsickness sufferer, the dehydraded ginger capsules work the best, with no "medicine head" after effects. These coupled with the wrist bands (I've used those, too) might do the trick. With the ginger capsules, take 2-3 30 minutes before flying (going in the car, boat, etc.)

Phenergan has always worked for me, but the huge drawback is that my brain is foggy after I wake up. It knocks me out big time and I only used to take 12.5 mg.

The ginger sounds good. It's natural and you can ask any rep at the vitamin shop counter about its uses.

In the US:
Dramamine is one medication

Antivert, Meclizine, Dramamine non-drowsy, Bonine - these are all the same medication (different than regular dramamine).

Above are available without prescription.

Scopolamine patch, Phenergan are different medications, and these require a prescription.

Everyone reacts different to any of the above - all have some side effects, sometimes desirable (like drowsiness if on a plane). It is a good idea to try them at home before relying on them for a trip - this will not give you info on how well they work, but will tell you what side effects you personally will have.

Sea Bands, ginger, etc and other non-medicinal remedies work for some, not for others.

In the U.S., Meclizine is available over the counter under the brand name Bonine and with a prescription under the brand name Antivert.

Lots of cruisers use it. I've had good experience with it at sea, I've never been airsick so I don't know about that.

Bonine is available over the counter at WalMart etc. I bought it in a chewable tablet form.

In the U.S., Meclizine is available over the counter under the brand name Bonine and with a prescription under the brand name Antivert.

Lots of cruisers use it. I've had good experience with it at sea, I've never been airsick so I don't know about that.

Bonine is available over the counter at WalMart etc. I bought it in a chewable tablet form.

OH MY, this is a very old post. No wonder people are reporting that it is available by prescription only! I hope the OP has solved her problem in the meantime.