Motion Sickness
BNF Treatment summaries Nausea and labyrinth disorders.
Guidelines
Pharmacological Management
1st line: hyoscine hydrobromide (anti-cholinergic)
- Oral: 150-300 mcg to be taken 30 min before the journey
- Transdermal: 1 patch to be applied behind the ear 5-6 hours before the journey
Antihistamines may also be effective:
- 1st generation (less sedating): cinnarizine, cyclizine
- 2nd generation (more sedating): promethazine hydrochloride, promethazine teoclate
Antiemetics should be given to prevent motion sickness (i.e. before a precipitating event), but NOT after nausea or vomiting develops.
BNF states that the following are ineffective in motion sickness:
- Domperidone
- Metoclopramide hydrochloride
- 5HT3-receptor antagonists (e.g. ondansetron)
- Phenothiazine (except promethazine)