Motion
Sickness
Paleness,
yawning and restlessness often precede the nausea, vomiting
and dizziness that occur in motion sickness,
which most frequently strikes youngsters ages 2 to 12, but
may occur at any age.
The primary
culprit in this condition is excess stimulation to the inner
ear's maze of fluid-filled canals, responsible for maintaining
the body's balance. Poor ventilation, anxiety or other emotional
upset, and visual stimuli may contribute to motion
sickness.
Because
motion sickness is easier to prevent than
to treat once it has begun, it may help to take an OTC drug
to prevent symptoms 30 to 60 minutes before traveling and
then continue doses during travel.
The Food
and Drug Administration considers four active ingredients
to be safe and effective for use in OTC drugs for motion sickness,
says Gerald Rachanow, deputy director of the monograph review
staff in FDA's Office of OTC Drug Evaluation. The ingredients
are cyclizine (Marezine and others), dimenhydrinate (Dramamine
and others), diphenhydramine (Benadryl and others), and meclizine
(Bonine and others).
The active
ingredients in these drugs are antihistamines. Their main
side effect is drowsiness. Alcohol, tranquilizers and sedatives
may increase this effect. Rachanow says anyone taking a drug
for motion sickness should use caution when
driving a vehicle or operating machinery and should avoid
alcoholic beverages.
In large
doses, OTC drugs for motion sickness may cause dry mouth and,
rarely, blurred vision. "People with breathing problems
such as emphysema or chronic bronchitis, glaucoma, or urinating
difficulty due to an enlarged prostate should not take these
drugs unless directed to do so by a doctor," Rachanow
says.
OTC drugs
for motion sickness have the following age restrictions:
- cyclizine-not
for use under age 6
- dimenhydrinate-not
for use under age 2
- diphenhydramine-not
for use under age 6
- meclizine-not
for use under age 12.
Before trying
these drugs, or along with them, the following measures may
also help stave off motion sickness:
- Don't
read during travel.
- Keep
your line of vision fairly straight ahead.
- Avoid
excess food or alcohol before and during extended travel.
Avoid all food and drinks on short trips.
- Stay
where motion is felt the least-the front seat of a car,
near the wings of an airplane, or amidship (preferably on
deck).
- Avoid
tobacco smoke and other odors, particularly from food.
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Consumer |
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