Methods of modern therapy

Prevention of motion sickness and recovery from motion sickness can be complex. A small percentage of normal individuals are highly susceptible for nearly all exposure situations, a small percentage are highly insusceptible, and most are in between. The best prevention for the highly susceptible is avoidance. For other individuals, spaced exposure of short duration can lead to a buildup of adaptation to the provocative situation. This is especially effective if only minor symptoms of motion sickness are allowed to develop before terminating each exposure period. Alternatively, incremental exposure to gradually increasing levels of provocative stimulation (e.g., making head movements during exposure to passive body rotation at higher and higher rotation velocities) can allow adaptation to be achieved without motion sickness being elicited even at stressor levels that if achieved in a single step would be intolerably provocative.

Behavior modification techniques (biofeedback) have long been promoted as a way of preventing motion sickness. Some success has been reported in laboratory conditions, but this rarely transfers to "real world" conditions where the trainer is absent. In addition, these studies virtually never include appropriate controls for placebo effects. A variety of drugs are available to reduce susceptibility to motion sickness. Over the counter drugs with some efficacy include dimenhydrinate (Dramamine®), meclizine (Bonine®), and cyclizine (Marezine®). The prescription Transderm® patch can provide protection for 24 hours or more. The most effective antimotion sickness drugs, including the relatively weak ones listed above, have adverse side effects, generally including drowsiness and dry mouth.

More potent drugs and drug combinations include scopolamine (often used in association with amphetamine, "Scopdex," to counteract sleepiness) and promethazine (often with ephedrine). In cases of fully developed, high severe motion sickness, intramuscular injections of scopolamine or promethazine may be necessary to provide relief. Effective anti-emetic drugs have anticholinergic, antihistaminic, or sympathomimetic properties; however, not all of the central sites of action are understood, and they tend to be relatively unselective in their effects. New families of receptor subtypes are being discovered that open the possibility of developing antimotion sickness drugs that block only certain types of neurotransmitter binding sites, thereby leading to fewer undesirable side effects.

            Form Duration

Dramamine  Tablet, chewable, liquid   4-6 hr

Gravol    Capsule, suppository 4-6 hr

Triptone   Tablet    4-6 hr

Marezine   Tablet    4-6 hr

Bonine    Tablet, chewable       6-12 hr

Antivert   Tablet    6-12 hr

Dramamine  Tablet, chewable     6-12 hr

Trans-Derm Scop Skin patch 48-72 hr

Scopace   Tablet    4-6 hr

Scopolamine Gel Gel  8-12 hr

Stugeron   Tablet, capsule, liquid    6-12 hr

Antimet   Tablet, capsule 6-12 hr

Phenergan  Tablet, injection, suppository, liquid     6-12 hr

Compazine  Capsule, injection, suppository, liquid    4hr

Zofran    Several forms   4hr

Scopolamine + dextroamphetamine  4-6 hr

Promethazine + ephedrine or pseudoephedrine     6-12 hr

Remember:

Mixing alcohol with certain medicines makes it dangerous for you to drive. Combining alcohol with some medicines can lead to falls and serious injuries, especially among older people.

•          Some medications, including many popular painkillers

and cough, cold, and allergy remedies, contain more

than one ingredient that can react with alcohol. Read

the label on your medication bottle to find out exactly

what ingredients it contains.

•          Certain medicines contain up to 10 percent alcohol.

Cough syrup and laxatives have some of the highest

alcohol concentrations.

•          Women and older people are at higher risk for harmful

alcohol-medication reactions.

•          Alcohol and medicines can interact harmfully even if

they are not taken at the same time.

Mixing alcohol and a medication puts you at risk for dangerous reactions. Protect yourself by avoiding alcohol if you are taking a medication and don't know its effect. To learn more about a medicine and whether it will interact with alcohol, talk to your pharmacist or health care provider.

Mixing alcohol with certain medications can cause nausea and vomiting; headaches; drowsiness; fainting; loss of coordination; and can put you at risk for internal bleeding, heart problems, and difficulties in breathing. Alcohol also can decrease the effective¬ness of a medication or make it totally ineffective.

Many of these medications can be pur¬chased "over-the-counter" without a prescription, including herbal remedies and others you may never have suspected of reacting with alcohol. This pamphlet describes the harmful effects of drinking while taking certain medicines. Brand names are used only to help you recognize a medicine you may be taking. The list presented here does not include all the medications that may react with alcohol.

Most important, the list does not include all the ingredients in every medication. Medications are safe and effective when used appropriately. Your pharmacist or health care provider can help you determine which medicines interact harmfully with alcohol.

References

Motion sickness: James R. Lackner  

Prevention of motion sickness 

Common Medications for Motion Sickness