What should you know about cruise motion sickness medicine?

Motion sickness happens when signals from your eyes and inner ear do not agree during travel. Medicines can dampen the brain signals that trigger nausea, dizziness and vomiting. Some are tablets; others may be supplied as a patch. They are not interchangeable, and a pharmacist or clinician can help match an option to your health, age and other medicines.

Sleepiness, dry mouth, blurred vision or reduced alertness can occur with some products. Alcohol and other sedating medicines may make these effects stronger. A medicine that helped on a previous trip may still need checking if your health or prescriptions have changed.

Ask a pharmacist or travel-health clinician which product is suitable, when to start it and how often to use it. Follow the label rather than taking extra doses after vomiting. Test a new product before travel only if a clinician or pharmacist advises that this is appropriate, because side effects can be difficult to manage at sea.

Choose a cabin nearer the middle of the ship and lower down when possible. Look toward the horizon, spend time in fresh air, keep your head still and eat light meals. Sip fluids regularly. If nausea or vomiting persists, arrange a [Nausea](/symptoms/nausea/) or [Vomiting](/symptoms/vomiting/) assessment; a [Travel Health Consultation](/treatments/occupational-and-travel-medicine/travel-health-consultation/) can help before departure.

Contact the ship’s medical team if you cannot keep fluids down, become unusually sleepy or confused, faint, develop severe headache, chest pain, trouble breathing or severe abdominal pain. Seek prompt help for signs of dehydration such as very little urine, marked weakness or dizziness when standing.

Which medicine fits my medical conditions and current prescriptions? When should I take the first dose? What should I do if I vomit after taking it, and which side effects need urgent attention?