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Medication for Travel-Related Nausea: How to Take It and What Precautions to Follow?
Nausea, dizziness, and vomiting during travel—collectively known as "motion sickness"—occur when the signals received by the brain from the inner ear and the eyes do not align.
Children, pregnant women, nursing mothers, the elderly, and individuals with underlying health conditions should consult a doctor or pharmacist before taking any medication.
Many people experience nausea, dizziness, and vomiting while traveling. Long-distance journeys, winding roads, heat, smoke, the speed of the vehicle, and certain odors can exacerbate these issues. This condition is commonly referred to as "motion sickness."
It can be largely managed by taking certain precautions and, if necessary, using appropriate medication.
Why does vomiting occur during travel?
To maintain the body's balance, the brain receives information from the inner ear, the eyes, and the muscles and joints. When traveling in a vehicle, the inner ear sends signals regarding the body's motion and movement. However, if one looks at a mobile phone or reads while inside a moving vehicle, the eyes focus on a nearby, stationary object, which can result in conflicting signals regarding movement. When these signals do not align, it can lead to symptoms such as nausea, dizziness, sweating, and vomiting.
This issue is more prevalent in children, particularly those between the ages of 7 and 12. Individuals who suffer from migraines or have conditions affecting the inner ear may also be at a higher risk. There are many ways to reduce the problem of vomiting while traveling. If such measures do not work, anti-emetic (anti-vomiting) medication is the final option.
What kind of medications are used?
Medications to prevent motion sickness are generally most effective when taken before symptoms begin. Once symptoms start, the motility (movement) of the stomach may slow down, which can delay the body's absorption of orally administered medication. Therefore, when choosing a medication, one should consider the time it takes for the drug to start working and the duration of the journey.
Some medications used for vomiting include the following:
Dosage:
Typically 50–100 mg. It can be taken 30–60 minutes before the journey begins. If necessary, it can be repeated at intervals of 4, 6, or 8 hours.
Potential side effects:
Drowsiness, dry mouth, blurred vision, and dizziness.
2. Cinnarizine
How to take:
For 15 mg tablets, the standard adult dose is 30 mg (i.e., two tablets), taken approximately 2 hours before the journey begins. For long journeys, if necessary, 15 mg can be taken every 8 hours.
Potential side effects:
Drowsiness and indigestion. In some individuals, long-term use may lead to movement-related issues.
3. Meclizine
How to take:
Typically, 25–50 mg should be taken 1–2 hours before the journey begins. If needed, an additional dose can be taken once every 24 hours during the journey.
Potential side effects:
Drowsiness, dry mouth, and blurred vision. 4. Promethazine
How to take it?
Typically 25 mg. Depending on the specific medication, it may need to be taken 1–2 hours before the journey begins or the night before. It is best to follow the instructions provided with the medication or the advice of a healthcare professional regarding dosage and timing.
Potential side effects
It may cause significant drowsiness. Dizziness and a drop in blood pressure can also occur.
How to use it?
For adults, if using 300 mcg tablets, one tablet should generally be taken at least 30 minutes before the journey begins. If necessary, additional doses can be taken with an interval of at least 6 hours. However, do not exceed three doses within a 24-hour period.
Potential side effects
Dry mouth, blurred vision, constipation, and difficulty urinating may occur. Individuals with glaucoma or urinary retention issues should exercise special caution.
Special Precautions
The medications and dosages mentioned here are intended for adults with no underlying health conditions. Available brands in Nepal, medication strengths, and instructions provided on the packaging may vary. In non-routine situations, medication should only be taken after consulting a doctor, taking into account your specific health status and circumstances.
These medications should not be used simultaneously or combined. Many of these drugs can induce drowsiness. For Hyoscine skin patches, the dosage and timing differ from those of tablets; follow the specific instructions for the patch, and do not cut the patch before use.
Do not self-medicate. Consult a doctor—or, in particular, a pharmacist—regarding the correct medication, dosage, and timing for use. How do these medications work?
Drugs such as dimenhydrinate, cinnarizine, meclizine, and promethazine primarily block histamine-related signals, thereby reducing the brain's responses associated with balance and nausea.
Hyoscine hydrobromide works by blocking the effects of acetylcholine, which helps alleviate symptoms arising from balance-related signals between the inner ear and the brain. However, the effect of these medications can vary from person to person.
If you are taking such medication for the first time, it is advisable to consult a healthcare professional before your journey.
Who should seek advice before taking these medications?
Adult dosages should not be given to children. The appropriate dosage for children varies based on their age, weight, and the specific type of medication. Administering an incorrect dose of a medication that causes drowsiness—especially to young children—can lead to serious consequences. Pregnant or breastfeeding individuals, the elderly, those with glaucoma, individuals experiencing difficulty urinating, people with heart rhythm issues, or those who regularly take sleep-inducing medication should consult a doctor or pharmacist before using these drugs.
Do not drive a vehicle after taking these medications. Avoid alcohol or other sleep-inducing substances... Combining these with other medications may increase drowsiness, dizziness, and other adverse effects.
What should you do if vomiting starts?
If vomiting begins, rest in a safe place if possible, minimize head movement, and ensure access to fresh air. Sip water or an oral rehydration solution (ORS) in small amounts; consuming too much at once may trigger further vomiting. When vomiting occurs, oral medications may not be properly absorbed by the body. Therefore, if vomiting persists, consult a healthcare professional rather than taking additional doses of medication on your own.
Seek immediate medical attention if you cannot keep even water down, if urine output becomes extremely low, if you experience severe weakness or loss of consciousness, if there is blood in the vomit, or if you develop intense abdominal or head pain. If vomiting continues after the journey ends, or if other symptoms unrelated to travel appear, do not dismiss it as simple motion sickness.
Does an empty stomach prevent vomiting?
Keeping an empty stomach is not necessary to prevent travel-related vomiting. Useful measures include eating a light meal before the journey, staying well-hydrated, looking ahead, limiting mobile phone use, keeping your head steady, and getting sufficient sleep.
Regular travel can help the body adapt over time. Individuals who frequently experience motion sickness should consult a healthcare professional or pharmacist regarding appropriate medication before traveling. It is crucial to follow the correct dosage and timing; furthermore, one must not drive after taking medication that causes drowsiness. Careful planning can make long journeys during the festive season more comfortable and safe.
What can be done to prevent nausea without using medication?
– Sit facing forward or look toward the horizon.
– Avoid activities like using a mobile phone, reading a book, or watching videos.
– Keep your head steady by resting it against the seat.
– Open the vehicle window to let in fresh air.
– Brush your teeth before the journey to keep your mouth clean.
– During long trips, stop at a safe location to take breaks.
– Get adequate sleep before the journey.
– You can use ginger.
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