Best OTC for Motion Sickness?

Updated on April 05, 2012
J.B. asks from Katy, TX
22 answers

NOT for a child, for ME! I found a lot of threads on here for what to get a child, but I need some suggestions for me. We are going on a cruise, I've never been on one and not 100% sure I will get sick, but I want to be prepared.
Thanks y'all

1 mom found this helpful

What can I do next?

  • Add yourAnswer own comment
  • Ask your own question Add Question
  • Join the Mamapedia community Mamapedia
  • as inappropriate
  • this with your friends

Featured Answers

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

L.F.

answers from Houston on

Bonine....available at CVS or any other store like that. Worked like a charm for me. Good luck and have fun.

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

R.P.

answers from Seattle on

I love Sea-bands! They were my savior when I was pregnant and since having my dd I get car sick so I wear them whenever i am not driving! Yes they are tacky looking but if it keeps you from getting sick who cares!

1 mom found this helpful

More Answers

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

K.B.

answers from Detroit on

Shoot...can't remember the name of it, but when we went on a cruise for the first time last year, DH found this oil that you rub behind your ears, and it is supposed to help with the motion sickness. I think he found at Walmart or someplace like that and if I can remember or figure out what it's called, I can let you know. Some people also swear by Sea-Bands, which you wear like bracelets on your wrist.

Obviously, there is Dramamine also. But I do know that on our cruise, it really wasn't that bad. We did the oil as a precaution the first night, but didn't bother after that because we really did not need it. The ship was just so darn big that it really didn't bounce that much.

1 mom found this helpful

F.H.

answers from Phoenix on

I've been on several cruises and I'm prone to motion sickness. I'm a little surprised at the comments that they are "basically stable" now. Uh, noooo...the last one we were on, even the crew was saying it was horrible. I actually had to just go to bed and sleep thru it, it was so bad. Anyway, I don't want to scare you. I would pack some Dramamine and get the Sea Bands. That way you are prepared if you need something and one doesn't work. But they do provide Dramamine on the boat. Good luck and have fun!!!

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.H.

answers from San Antonio on

same with us. Didn't want to chance it. We got the bracelets. They come in a pack of two. They are stretchable like a headband. I wore one and my husband wore the other. Not a problem on the sea for us. I got them at Walgreens....
Good Luck and enjoy your cruise....

1 mom found this helpful

A.R.

answers from Houston on

My husband swears by Dramamine for most situations but he's got a standing prescription for the patches which are a must when boats are involved. Our doctor recommended that approach and it's worked best for the resident chummer. Good luck.

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

A.L.

answers from Austin on

Sea Bands. It's just a wristband, with a little knob on it that presses into the pressure point in your wrist. (They sell it in the same aisle as the motion sickness medication.) I have used it for all kinds of nausea, and haven't been failed yet.

The ship should have stabilizers in it, though, so you probably won't even notice any motion, unless you hit a bit of weather.

Enjoy your trip!

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

J.W.

answers from Houston on

I went on my frist cruise last year and I was worried about motion sickness too because I become sick sitting in the back seat of a car. So I purchased several different over the counter products. I used used the wrist bands that look like poney tail holders with a bead on one side and they worked great.

Have fun!

1 mom found this helpful

G.T.

answers from Redding on

Dramamine works, but it makes you very sleepy (well it does me anyway).
Bonine is the one that I use when necessary, no drowsiness or any other side effects.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

A.H.

answers from Omaha on

My husband has horrible motion sickness, so when he travels he has to have the scopolamine patch (prescription). He has also gotten by with dramamine for shorter trips but sometimes still fights headaches/nausea with that, so the patch works the best for him. If you know you are prone to motion sickness in a car or airplane you may want to go prescription strength route.
HTH,
A.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

M.P.

answers from Albuquerque on

I have never had to use anything for motion sickness but when I was pregnant I used sea bands and they work wonders. Then you dont have to worry about being drowsy or having any medicine in your system.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

A.C.

answers from Atlanta on

GINGER! That stuff is awesome.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

C.T.

answers from Houston on

My father in law has a very large sleeping boat and he always has stuf on board that you can put on your wrist which helps with motion sickness. He gets it from a doctor.

When we go offshore fishing, I usually take dramamine. It is OTC at any pharmacy. It always works for me.

I suggest to stay on deck of the ship when the ship is leaving dock and stay on deck while the ship is going out. It will help your equilibrium.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

C.W.

answers from Santa Barbara on

My first cruise a million years ago (before the floating skyscrapers of today) I used the Scopolamine (sp?) prescription patch behind my ear. I used it on the second day and it was very effective. Dramamine may as well be a tic-tac, it doesn't work for me.

I haven't had any trouble in the past 15 years or so because the ships are so large and stable. Have fun!!

**Sorry, missed the OTC part!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

N.W.

answers from Eugene on

I use Bonine and my kids prefer dramamine. Both make me sleepy. On your cruise, I'd wait and see how you feel, since the cruise ships are pretty stable. The acupressure bands didn't help me. My mom gets seasick easily and she gets a patch from her doctor to put behind her ear. She finds them very effective and usually cuts the patch and only uses 1/2 at a time. You can also bring along ginger tablets for mild queasiness. I find that going outside and breathing fresh ocean air helps alot.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

A.V.

answers from Washington DC on

My SS, who was 19 at the time, and his friend used patches behind their ears for the cruise we went on. They were prescribed by the GP. They otherwise used dramamine, which is OTC, but the patches were "stick and forget".

I have gotten seasick on smaller boats in rough seas, but was OK on the cruise. There is still some motion, even on a large boat, so do take something before you leave the dock.

D.B.

answers from San Antonio on

Nauzene has worked wonders for me in car sickness, over eating nausea and fullness and sinus drainage kind of nausea. My daughter took it when she was pregnant & it kept her pregger puking at bay. It's OTC and a chewable. It works great.

I think consulting your doctor for the patches would be a great option. Be over prepared.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

D..

answers from Charlotte on

A very, very big ship. The smaller or medium size cruiseline boats will make you motion sick. Ask your doc about a patch. Just don't take Dramamine orally - it will knock you off your rearend. (Voice of experience here...)

I really hope you all have fun!

Dawn

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

C.B.

answers from San Francisco on

When we went on our cruises, we just used the wristbands. They worked great!

Enjoy your cruise!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

B.G.

answers from Champaign on

I like Dramamine. They also make Dramamine non drowsy. I used to take the regular one when I flew. I honestly don't remember whether it made me drowsy or not, but it really helped with the motion sickness.

J.B.

answers from Houston on

Dramamine is the only thing that works for me. I think they make it in non drowsy as well, which I would recommend. I found out I had motion sickness issues on a 26 hr flight, not fun, so having it is a great plan just in case. Have fun on the cruise!!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

A.A.

answers from Tulsa on

I get very motion sick, after years of suffering I finally bit the bullet and got a prescription. Scopalamine patches for when we were on a cruise and the sickness would be prolonged (it can make your eyes dilate, so be careful) and phenergan gel for car or plane trips. The gel works great, prevents the sickness from starting without making me drowsy. When I don't have any, I can use meclizine which is OTC and also didn't make me drowsy. Dramamine if I am on a flight and don't mind needing a little snooze, but you don't want to sleep your cruise away. If you want only OTC, I'd go with the meclizine. Happy sailing!

For Updates and Special Promotions
Follow Us

Related Questions