From the FDA Drug Label
Dimenhydrinate Injection, USP is indicated for the prevention and treatment of nausea, vomiting, or vertigo of motion sickness. The recommended antiemetic for plane motion sickness is dimenhydrinate [:1].
- Dimenhydrinate is indicated for the prevention and treatment of nausea, vomiting, or vertigo of motion sickness.
From the Research
For plane motion sickness, antihistamines such as dimenhydrinate (Dramamine) and meclizine (Bonine) are recommended as the first-line treatment, with a typical adult dose of 50-100 mg every 4-6 hours as needed for dimenhydrinate and 25-50 mg once daily for meclizine. These medications work by blocking histamine receptors in the brain that trigger nausea when conflicting sensory signals about motion are received 2. According to a recent Cochrane review, antihistamines are probably more effective than placebo at preventing motion sickness symptoms under natural conditions, with a risk ratio of 1.81 (95% CI 1.23 to 2.66) 2.
Some key points to consider when using these medications include:
- Taking the medication before symptoms begin is crucial for effectiveness
- Choosing a seat over the wing (where motion is less noticeable) can help reduce the risk of motion sickness
- Staying hydrated and avoiding heavy meals before flying can also help
- Focusing on the horizon can help the body get a sense of the motion and reduce the conflict between sensory signals
- Scopolamine patches are another effective option, particularly for longer flights, applied behind the ear 4 hours before travel and lasting up to 72 hours 3
It's also important to be aware of the potential side effects of these medications, including:
- Drowsiness
- Dry mouth
- Blurred vision
- Sedation, which may be more likely with antihistamines compared to placebo (RR 1.51,95% CI 1.12 to 2.02) 2
Overall, while there are various options available for preventing and treating motion sickness, antihistamines such as dimenhydrinate and meclizine are generally considered the most effective and are recommended as the first-line treatment 2, 4.