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Medical Author:

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, Chief Medical Editor

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, Chief Medical Editor

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, is a U.S. board-certified Anatomic Pathologist with subspecialty training in the fields of Experimental and Molecular Pathology. Dr. Stöppler's educational background includes a BA with Highest Distinction from the University of Virginia and an MD from the University of North Carolina. She completed residency training in Anatomic Pathology at Georgetown University followed by subspecialty fellowship training in molecular diagnostics and experimental pathology.

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Medical Editor:

Charles Patrick Davis, MD, PhD

Charles Patrick Davis, MD, PhD

Dr. Charles "Pat" Davis, MD, PhD, is a board certified Emergency Medicine doctor who currently practices as a consultant and staff member for hospitals. He has a PhD in Microbiology (UT at Austin), and the MD (Univ. Texas Medical Branch, Galveston). He is a Clinical Professor (retired) in the Division of Emergency Medicine, UT Health Science Center at San Antonio, and has been the Chief of Emergency Medicine at UT Medical Branch and at UTHSCSA with over 250 publications.

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Antihistamines have been used to treat motions sickness. Notably, the nonsedating antihistamines do not seem to be effective for motion sickness treatment.

Examples of antihistamine medications to treat motion sickness include:

• chlorpheniramine (Aller-Chlor),
  
  
• cyclizine (Marezine),
  
  
• cyclizine HCI (Bonine for Kids)
  
  
• dimenhydrinate (Dramamine, Dramamine Chewable, Driminate),
  
  
• diphenhydramine (Benadryl),
  
  
• meclizine (Antivert, Bonine, D-Vert, Dramamine II).

Side effects may include significant sedation, drowsiness, dry mouth, blurred vision, and confusion and urinary retention in the elderly.

Scopolamine (Transderm-Scop) is the most well-known medication in this category. It has been shown in clinical trials to be effective at preventing motion sickness. Scopolamine is most commonly administered as a patch applied to the skin. Side effects are the same as those of the antihistamines (sedation, blurred vision, dry mouth, and confusion and urinary retention in the elderly). Persons at risk for angle-closure glaucoma should not take scopolamine.

Two drugs in this category that have been successfully used in the management of motion sickness include promethazine (Phenergan, Pentazine) and metoclopramide (Reglan). Both of these medications can also cause significant sedation and in a few people, movement disorders (for example, torticollis or twisting of the neck, tongue protrusion).

Ephedrine and some amphetamines have been used both to treat motion sickness and to counteract the sedating effects of other medical treatments. Studies have also shown a beneficial effect of caffeine when administered in combination with other medications for motion sickness.

Benzodiazepines have also been useful for some people with motion sickness. Examples include:

• alprazolam (Xanax), and
  
  
• diazepam (Valium).

Antiemetic (anti-nausea) medications have been used to control nausea and vomiting after motion sickness has developed. Examples include:

• prochlorperazine (Compazine), and
  
  
• ondansetron (Zofran).

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