What should you know about Gravol and motion sickness?

Motion sickness develops when signals from your eyes, inner ears and body movement do not agree. A moving car, boat, aircraft or amusement ride can trigger nausea, dizziness, sweating, headache and vomiting. Gravol is an antihistamine medicine that can calm some of the nerve signalling involved in these symptoms. It works more effectively when taken according to the product instructions before travel or early in the journey, rather than after severe vomiting has begun.

Drowsiness, dry mouth, blurred vision or reduced alertness can occur. Avoid driving, operating machinery or combining it with alcohol or other medicines that make you sleepy until you know how it affects you.

Follow the label or a pharmacist’s directions, including the correct formulation and dose for the traveller’s age. Sit where movement is gentler, face the direction of travel, look at a stable point and keep fresh air moving. Small sips of water and light foods may be easier to tolerate than a heavy meal. Take breaks during road travel when possible. Do not give a child or use Gravol during pregnancy, breastfeeding, or with other medicines without checking with a clinician or pharmacist.

Get urgent medical help for trouble breathing, fainting, severe confusion, a seizure, chest pain, severe headache, or vomiting that prevents fluids from staying down. Contact a clinician if symptoms continue after travel, recur without movement, or cause signs of dehydration such as very little urine, marked weakness or dizziness. For travel planning, a Travel Health Consultation can help match prevention advice to your route and medical history.

Ask which Gravol formulation is suitable, when to take it, whether it interacts with your regular medicines, and what to use if drowsiness is unsafe for your work or travel plans.