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.

 

Other: Avoid alcohol. This medication may cause drowsiness. If affected do not drive a vehicle or operate machinery.

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

Travacalm Original Warnings:

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.