Over-the-counter medicine for motion sickness

Motion sickness occurs when signals from the eyes, inner ear and body do not agree during travel. It may cause nausea, sweating, dizziness, headache or vomiting. Medicines work best when taken before symptoms build, but the exact product and timing depend on the label and your health.

Some products can make you sleepy, blur vision, dry your mouth or affect coordination. Alcohol, sedatives and other medicines that cause drowsiness can intensify these effects.

Ask a pharmacist to check an option that suits you, particularly if you are pregnant, have glaucoma, urinary problems, breathing disease, or take regular medicines. Follow the label and avoid driving, swimming alone or operating machinery until you know how you react. Sit where movement is gentler, look at the horizon, keep air flowing, and choose small sips of water and light food.

Seek medical help if vomiting prevents you keeping fluids down, you faint, become confused, develop severe headache or chest pain, or notice blood or green fluid in vomit. Persistent symptoms after travel, or symptoms unrelated to movement, deserve assessment. A Travel Health Consultation can help when a trip involves long journeys or particular health needs.

Which medicine is suitable with my current prescriptions? When should I take it before travel? Is drowsiness likely to affect driving or work? What should I do if nausea continues after the journey?