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Medicine for journey sickness
My sister has been suffering from journey sickness especially in car and bus journeys. She suffers from vomiting, belchings and even some sort of breathlessness.Any good medicine to treat this condition? Please kindly help.
Answers (27)
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For motion sickness:
✅ Most commonly used medicines (take 30–60 min before travel):
Cinnarizine 25 mg
Dimenhydrinate 50 mg (Avomine)
Meclizine 25 mg
Use only when needed and may cause drowsiness → avoid driving.
✅ Non-medicine tips:
Sit in front seat / look at horizon
Avoid reading/phone
Light meal before travel
Keep windows slightly open
Ginger tea/lozenges may help
Answered
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Your sister’s symptoms are classic for Motion Sickness (Kinetosis).
It occurs because the inner ear (balance system) and the eyes send mismatched signals to the brain during travel, leading to:
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Belching
• Dizziness
• Cold sweat
• Breathlessness (from anxiety and overbreathing during nausea)
This is a benign and very treatable condition.
Best Medicines for Motion Sickness (scientifically proven)
1. Dimenhydrinate 50 mg (Dramamine)
• Take 1 tablet 30–60 minutes before travel
• Prevents vomiting and nausea
• Dose can be repeated every 6–8 hours if long journey
• Safe and widely used
2. Cinnarizine 25 mg
• Very effective for dizziness + nausea
• Take 1 tablet 1 hour before journey
• Can repeat every 12 hours if needed
• Causes less sedation than other drugs
3. Promethazine 25 mg
• Take 1 tablet 1 hour before journey
• Very effective but more sedating
• Best for people who get severe vomiting
4. Scopolamine patch (if available)
• Applied behind the ear 6–8 hours before travel
• Works for 72 hours
• Very effective but not always available everywhere
Next Steps
Which one should she use?
Most commonly prescribed and well tolerated:
→ Cinnarizine 25 mg or Dimenhydrinate 50 mg.
Either one taken before the journey prevents 90% of symptoms.
Health Tips
Supportive Measures (very effective)
1. Sit in the front seat (car) or near the window (bus).
2. Avoid reading or using mobile during travel.
3. Look outside at a stable point or the road ahead.
4. Avoid heavy meals, oily food, or strong smells before travel.
5. Sip ORS or water during long journeys.
6. Keep the windows slightly open for fresh air.
7. If breathlessness occurs, slow deep breathing helps.
If vomiting starts during travel
• Ondansetron 4 mg (ODT/regular tablet) can be taken
• Works within 10–15 minutes
When to consult a doctor
If she has:
• Severe vertigo outside of travel
• Persistent nausea at home
• Ear symptoms (hearing loss, ringing)
• Syncope or severe breathlessness
But from your description, this is classic motion sickness.
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The symptoms are due to a disturbance in her ‘balance kit’ inside the ears. This is a very common problem and not to be worried about.
Better to do Vestibular exercises daily (lots of YouTube videos on how to do them). This will help prevent her symptoms.
Always carry prochlorperazine 5mg in case she gets severe symptoms.
All the best.
J G S R
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The patient has motion sickness. She has to take tab MECLIZINE 1 tab 30 min before journey.
Next Steps
take tab ondem8 1 tab if still there is nausea. You can contact doctor or emergency if needed
Health Tips
Avoid- heavy food and alcohol
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Theses could be motion sickness but examine thoroughly what sort of symptoms other than belching and vomiting try motion sickness medicines such as meclizine and anti acid pantoprazole domperidone and ondansetron before travelling should help
Next Steps
Look out for other symptoms if any if stomach ulcers or any dizziness
Health Tips
Get checked up if my advice doesn't work I truly humbly request or consult online
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