ALWAYS READ THE LABEL AND FOLLOW DIRECTIONS FOR USE
ALWAYS CHECK WITH YOUR DOCTOR TO DETERMINE WHETHER THIS
MEDICINE IS SAFE FOR YOU. IF SYMPTOMS PERSIST SEE YOUR DOCTOR.
PLEASE REFER TO ANY HEALTH WARNINGS BELOW
7
Ways to Prevent Travel Sickness
Travel sickness (also known as motion
sickness) occurs when you feel unwell due to being in a moving vehicle, boat or
plane. Commonly known as 'car sickness' or 'sea sickness', travel sickness it
is a normal response and can generally be prevented.
What is Travel Sickness?
Travel sickness is thought to be caused
by your body being unbalanced in a moving vehicle so that your senses are
confused.
Aside from transportation, such as by
car, boat or plane, travel sickness can be triggered by amusement park rides
and virtual reality experiences.
Many people are susceptible to travel
sickness, especially women and children, though it is less common after 10 to
12 years of age. It is also uncommon for children aged under 2 years to
experience motion sickness.
If you already have a condition that
causes nausea, such pregnancy or migraines, you may be more likely to
experience motion sickness.
Common
Symptoms of Travel Sickness
Nausea is the main symptom of travel sickness
and motion sickness but you might also experience other symptoms, including:
·
Dizziness
·
Vomiting
·
Drowsiness
·
Headache
·
Disorientation
·
Inability to walk
·
Persistent retching
Treatment
and Prevention of Travel Sickness
Testing is not routinely required for diagnosis of
travel sickness or motion sickness since you will probably know if you are
experiencing it. After a few days of exposure to the motion, your body will
likely adapt.
You might feel better after vomiting, and symptoms will generally
end once you get out of the vehicle, plane or boat. But you can also feel the
after effects of travel sickness for a few hours or even a few days before
fully recovering.
The best treatment for travel sickness or motion sickness is
prevention, and there are many things you can do while travelling in a moving
vehicle, plan or boat. Some tips for preventing travel sickness can include the
following:
· Look outside the vehicle, plane or boat instead of reading or looking at a screen, e.g. look out the window, or focus on the horizon if travelling in a boat.
· Get plenty of fresh air, if possible. On a plane, open the air vent.
· Sit towards the rear and centre of a boat, somewhere away from any fumes.
· Listen to music, guided meditation and breathe mindfully.
· Lay down if you can or sit in a stable position using a headrest. Depending on the vehicle, sit facing forward and in a seat where it will be less bumpy. In a car or bus, sit at the front; if flying, sit over the airplane wing.
- Eat lightly before the trip and avoid heavy food and alcohol.
- Ginger, peppermint and acupressure wrist bands might also be helpful.
You can take certain over the counter medications just before travel to prevent
motion sickness, but there might be other side effects. Speak to a pharmacist
or doctor for advice, particularly for children, if you take other medications,
have any other medical conditions or if you are pregnant.
Medications
that may be considered to treat and prevent travel sickness. *Always
consult your doctor or pharmacist before taking any medication to ensure they
are safe and do not interact with any other medications, health supplements or
vitamins you may be taking.
1.) Kwells and Travacalm HO (Hyoscine Hydrobromide)
Precautions
Children
Avoid use in
children <12 years; use with caution in older children.
Pregnancy
Considered safe
to use, other options may be more suitable. Always speak to your doctor before
taking any medication during pregnancy.
Breastfeeding
Safe to use
occasional doses. Ask your pharmacist before use or if likely to become
pregnant.
Allergen Notes: Kwells for travel sickness prevention contains saccharin sodium
therefore may not be suitable for diabetics. Travacalm HO Chewable tablets
contain lactose and may not be suitable for people with lactose intolerance.
Dosage – Hyoscine hydrobromide
Motion sickness or Travel sickness
Take first
dose 30 minutes before travel; repeat dose in 4–6 hours if necessary.
Do not exceed 4 tablets in 24 hours.
Adult, oral
300–600 micrograms. Maximum 1.2 mg in 24 hours.
Child
8–12 years, oral 150–300 micrograms. Maximum 600 micrograms in
24 hours.
Child
2–8 years, oral 75 micrograms. Maximum 300 micrograms in
24 hours.
Warnings
Do not use in children under
12 years. Elderly: consult a healthcare professional before taking this medicine. This medication
may cause drowsiness and blurring of vision. If affected, do not drive a vehicle
or operate machinery. Avoid alcohol. Do not take during pregnancy. Children who have been given Kwells
should not be left unattended. Contains saccharin and sulfites. Do not use if
blister seal is broken. Not recommended for children under 8 years of age.
Travacalm HO Active Ingredients per tablet: Hyoscine hydrobromide 300 micrograms. Contains: Lactose. Pleaseant tasting strawberry flavour.
Travacalm HO Warnings:
This medication may cause drowsiness. If affected, do not drive a vehicle or operate machinery. Avoid alcohol.
Ask your doctor or pharmacist before use if you are pregnant or likely to become pregnant.
If symptoms persist, consult with your healthcare professional.
CAUTION
If symptoms persist, seek medical advice.
Kwells Ingredients: Each tablet contains Hyoscine hydrobromide 300micrograms. Contains: saccharin and sulfites.
Kwells Warnings:
Do not use in children under 12 years. This medication may cause drowsiness. If affected, do not drive a vehicle or operate machinery. Avoid alcohol.
Ask your doctor or pharmacist before use if you are pregnant or likely to become pregnant.
If symptoms persist, consult with your healthcare professional.
CAUTION
If symptoms persist, seek medical advice.
Elderly: consult a healthcare professional before
taking this medicine. This medication may cause drowsiness and blurring of
vision. If affected, do not drive a vehicle or operate machinery.
Avoid alcohol. Do not take during pregnancy. Children
who have been given Kwells® should not be left unattended. Contains saccharin
and sulfites. Do not use if blister seal is broken.
2.) Kwells Kids (Hyoscine Hydrobromide)
Precautions
Children
Avoid use in
children <2 years; use with caution in older children. This medication
may cause drowsiness and blurred vision. Children who have been given Kwells Kids
for travel sickness should not be left unattended.
Pregnancy
Safe to use.
Breastfeeding
Safe to use
occasional doses.
Allergen Notes: Contains saccharin sodium therefore may not be suitable for diabetics.
Dosage – Hyoscine hydrobromide
Motion sickness or Travel sickness
Take first dose 30 minutes before travel; repeat dose in
4–6 hours if necessary.
Child 8–12 years, oral 150–300 micrograms. Maximum 600 micrograms in
24 hours.
Child 2–8 years, oral 75 micrograms.
Maximum 300 micrograms in 24 hours.
Warnings
Do not use in children under 2 years of age. This medication may cause drowsiness and blurring of vision. Children who have been given Kwells Kids should not be left unattended. Contains saccharin and sulfites. Do not use if blister seal is broken.
CAUTION
If symptoms persist, consult with your healthcare professional.
Ingredients: Each tablet contains Hyoscine hydrobromide 150micrograms. Contains: Contains saccharin and sulfites.
3.) Travacalm Natural (Ginger - Zingiber officinale root extract
500mg)
Precautions
Children
Use with
caution in children <6 years and only as professionally directed.
Pregnancy & Lactation
Has been taken
by a large number of pregnant women and considered safe to use. Always advise
your doctor before taking any medicine, particularly during the first trimester.
Take as required, do not exceed more than 2 tablets per day.
Allergen Notes: Gluten free. No added sugar, lactose, yeast, starch, gluten,
artificial colours of flavouring.
Dosage – Zinfiber officinale root extract 500mg
Motion sickness or Travel sickness
Take first
dose 30 minutes before travel.
Adult, oral initially
1–2 tablets then take 1 tablet every four to six hours as required. Do not
exceed 4 tablets in 24 hours.
8–13 years, oral initially
1 tablet then take 1 tablet every six to eight hours as required. Do not
exceed 3 tablets in 24 hours.
4–7 years, oral initially
HALF a tablet then take HALF a tablet every six to eight hours as required. Do
not exceed 1.5 tablets in 24 hours.
<6 years, only upon
professional advice.
4.) Travacalm Original – (Hyoscine hydrobromide 300mcg, dimenhydrinate 50mg, caffeine 20mg).
Precautions
Children
Avoid use in
children <4 years; use with caution in older children. This medication
may cause drowsiness and blurred vision. Children who have been given Travacalm
Original for travel sickness should not be left unattended.
Pregnancy
Considered
unsafe. Other options may be more suitable when treating travel sickness in pregnancy.
Always consult your doctor or healthcare professional before using any medicine
during pregnancy.
Breastfeeding
Considered
unsafe, other options may be more appropriate. Always consult your doctor or
healthcare professional before using any medicine during lactation.
Allergen Notes: Contains lactose therefore may not be suitable for people
suffering from lactose intolerance. Gluten free.
Dosage – Hyoscine hydrobromide
Directions for Use:
Take 30 minutes prior to departure.
Adults: Take 1 or 2 tablets. Repeat four to six hourly if necessary (do
not exceed 4 tablets in 24 hours).
Children: 4 to 7 years: Half a tablet, 8-13 years: one tablet. Repeat
six to eight hourly if necessary (do not exceed 3 doses in 24 hours).
Not recommended for children under 4 years of age.
Motion sickness or Travel sickness (AMH 2020)
Take first
dose 30 minutes before travel; repeat dose in 4–6 hours if necessary.
Child
8–12 years, oral 150–300 micrograms. Maximum 600 micrograms in
24 hours.
Child
2–8 years, oral 75 micrograms.
Maximum 300 micrograms in 24 hours.
Other:
Avoid alcohol. This medication may cause drowsiness. If affected do not drive a
vehicle or operate machinery.
Potential Drug
Interactions: *This list is not exhaustive and contains only commonly
known drug interactions. Always check with your doctor or pharmacist before
taking any new medication(s).
Alcohol, sedatives, atropine, belladonna alkaloids,
benzatropine, darifenacin, glycopyrronium, hyoscine butylbromide, hyoscine hydrobromide,
ophenadrine, oxybutynin, propantheline, solifenacin, tolterodine,
trihexyphenidyl, medications that potentiate drowsiness and CNS depression such
as opioid pain killers, benzodiazepines.
Active ingredients per tablet:
• Hyoscine hydrobromide 200 micrograms
• Dimenhydrinate 50mg
• Caffeine 20mg
Contains: Lactose
Ask your doctor or
pharmacist before use if you are pregnant or likely to become pregnant.
If symptoms persist, consult with your healthcare professional.
CAUTION
If symptoms persist, seek medical advice.
This medication may cause drowsiness. If affected, do not drive a vehicle or operate machinery. Avoid alcohol.
5.) Nausetil – Prochlorperazine
– PHARMACIST ONLY MEDICINE
ASK YOUR PHARMACIST ABOUT THIS PRODUCT. PHARMACIST ADVICE IS REQUIRED TO PURCHASE THIS PRODUCT.
THIS PRODUCT IS NOT AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE BY THE GENERAL PUBLIC. LIMIT OF ONE PACK PER CUSTOMER.
ALWAYS READ THE LABEL AND FOLLOW THE DIRECTIONS FOR USE.
Legislation requires you to contact our pharmacist on (07)40590077 before placing an order to receive this item. Failure to do this means the item will be deleted from your order with a refund, and the balance of the order being dispatched.
Precautions
CNS depression—contraindicated.
Parkinson’s disease—avoid if possible
as symptoms may worsen; domperidone is preferred.
Children
Contraindicated
in children <2 years.
Pregnancy
Safe to use
in early pregnancy; risk of neurological disturbance in infants when taken in
late pregnancy.
Breastfeeding
Safe to use.
Dosage – Prochlorperazine - Nausetil (AMH 2020)
Nausea and vomiting
Adult
Oral, initially
20 mg, then 10 mg 2 hours later; if still needed, 5–10 mg
3 times daily. May be taken with or without food.
Child >2 years
Oral,
250 micrograms/kg 2 or 3 times daily. Children greater than or equal
to 10 kg, greater than or equal to 2 yrs (only if unavoidable). Nausea,
vomiting: 0.25 mg/kg 2-3 times daily.
Vertigo
Adult
Oral, 5–10 mg 2 or 3 times daily.
Elderly: reduce initial dose, increase gradually; monitor closely.
Liver impairment: Consider dose reduction.
Counselling
This
medication may make you drowsy and may increase the effects of alcohol. Avoid
driving or operating machinery until you know how you are affected.
Practice points
·
Prochlorperazine potentiates CNS
depression. Avoid alcohol.
·
Use short term only; risk of tardive
dyskinesia increases with cumulative dose and length of treatment.
Potential Adverse Effects
Common (>1%) | Constipation, dry mouth,
drowsiness, akathisia, parkinsonism, blurred vision, EPSE (especially in
children), hypotension, hyperprolactinaemia |
Rare (<0.1%) | Prolonged QT interval, tardive
dyskinesia |
Potential Drug
Interactions: *This list is not exhaustive and contains only commonly
known drug interactions. Always check with your doctor or pharmacist before
taking any new medication(s).
Quinidine; disopyramide; amiodarone; sotalol; bepridil; cisapride; sultopride; thioridazine; methadone; IV erythromycin, vincamine; halofantrine; pentamidine; sparfloxacin; diltiazem; verapamil; beta-blockers; clonidine; guanfacine; digitalis; stimulant laxatives; IV amphotericin B; glucocorticoids; tetracosactides; other antipsychotics; alcohol, other CNS depressants; atropinics; TCAs; desferrioxamine; procarbazine; levodopa; thiazide diuretics; guanethidine; oral anticoagulants; propranolol; anticonvulsants. (eMIMS Australia)
6.) ONDANESTRON (Zofran Zydis Wafers) – PRESCRIPTION ONLY MEDICATION
GENERIC NAME: ONDANSETRON
ALWAYS READ THE LABEL AND FOLLOW THE DIRECTIONS FOR USE.
THIS PRODUCT IS PRESCRIPTION ONLY AND NOT AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE BY THE GENERAL PUBLIC.
A VALID AUSTRALIAN PRESCRIPTION FROM AN AUSTRALIAN REGISTERED DOCTOR IS REQUIRED PRIOR TO PURCHASING PRESCRIPTION PRODUCTS.
REFER TO THE CONSUMER INFORMATION LEAFLET (CMI) FOR MORE INFORMATION.
ALWAYS SPEAK TO YOUR DOCTOR TO DETERMINE WHETHER THIS MEDICINE IS SAFE FOR YOU.
Precautions:
Phenylketonuria—wafers and orally disintegrating tablets contain
aspartame.
Hepatic
Reduce dose
in severe impairment.
Elderly
Reduce
maximum IV dose if age >75 years.
General
precautions fom 5HT3 antagonists:
Prolonged
QT interval or risk factors for prolonged QT interval - use with caution as QT prolongation (usually transient and clinically
insignificant) has been reported, mainly with IV administration.
Pregnancy
May be used for nausea and vomiting
if other drugs are inadequate. If used, ondansetron is preferred because of
greater experience; limited data for granisetron (human data lacking for
tropisetron and palonosetron). There is conflicting data about the association
of ondansetron, used in the first trimester, with a small increased risk of
malformations, e.g. orofacial clefts.
Breastfeeding
No data available, although 1 or
2 doses after delivery should not be a concern.
Counselling:
Wafer or orally
disintegrating tablet: place on top of the tongue to dissolve, then swallow
Potential Adverse Effects
Common (>1%) | Constipation, headache,
dizziness, transient rise in hepatic aminotransferases. |
Rare (<0.1%) | Hypersensitivity reactions
(including anaphylaxis), ECG changes. Transient visual disturbances, e.g.
blurred vision (rapid IV administration), EPSE, seizures |
Potential Drug
Interactions: *This list is not exhaustive and contains only commonly
known drug interactions. Always check with your doctor or pharmacist before
taking any new medication(s).
Potent CYP3A4 inducers eg phenytoin, carbamazepine, rifampicin; other serotonergics including SSRIs, SNRIs, tramadol; 5-FU (> 0.8 mg/mL); drugs prolonging QT, causing electrolyte abnormality. (eMIMS Australia)
Excipients: Benzoates and sorbitol (12.6 g per recommended maximum daily dose) which
may have a laxative effect or cause diarrhoea. Gelatin, mannitol, aspartame, sodium methyl hydroxybenzoate,
sodium propyl hydroxybenzoate and Strawberry Flavouring Liquid.
Non-Medicated Options
1.) Seaband for Adults and Seaband for Children
ALWAYS READ THE LABEL AND FOLLOW THE DIRECTIONS FOR USE.
Seaband applies continuous pressure on the pericardium 6 (P6) point, located on each wrist. Constant pressure on the P6 point is known to prevent and relieve the onset of nausea. Suitable for use in travel sickness as seaband provides a natural choice without causing drowsiness or other side effects. Clinical trials support that seaband provides natural relief to support the symptoms of morning sickness, therefore is suitable for pregnant women to relieve symptoms of morning sickness. Seaban is used in hospitals around the world as effective relief for other types of nausea caused by treatment such as chemotherapy and anaesthesia. Seabands are a DRUG FREE alternative, are natural, effective, reusable and washable. Seabands are a great option for treating and preventing travel sickness in Australia.
2.) Travacalm Travel Band
ALWAYS READ THE LABEL AND FOLLOW THE DIRECTIONS FOR USE.
Travacalm Travel Band relieves nausea due to travel sickness, motion sickness, pregnancy, anaesthesia & chemotherapy. The Travacalm Travel Band is for the relief of nausea. It uses the science of acupressure over the Nei-Kuan point to alleviate nausea due to motion (travel sickness), pregnancy (morning sickness), anaesthesia and chemotherapy. Travacalm Travel Band is ideal for those who prefer natural products and does not cause drowsiness. It can be used for adults and children over the age of 3 years. For best results in preventing travel sickness,put the Travacalm Travel Band on before starting your travel.
References:
Mayo Clinic – What causes car sickness in children
and how can I prevent it?
American Family Physician – Prevention and treatment
of motion sickness
NPS Medicine Wise – Preventing motion sickness in
children
Australian Medicines Handbook: Gastrointestinal
Drugs, Drugs for Dyspepsia, Reflux, and Peptic Ulcer Disease. Antacids Australian
Medicines Handbook Pty Ltd – July 2020.
eMims Australia Pty Ltd – eMIMS Nausetil
Drug Monograph, August 2020.
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