Is Fenervan (Dimenhydrinate) effective for treating motion sickness?

From the Guidelines

Fenervan is not a recommended medication for motion sickness, and instead, scopolamine patches are the most effective option, as evidenced by the 2020 clinical practice guideline on Ménière's disease 1. When it comes to managing motion sickness, the goal is to reduce morbidity, mortality, and improve quality of life. The most recent and highest quality study, a 2020 clinical practice guideline on Ménière's disease 1, suggests that scopolamine patches are the most effective option for preventing motion sickness. Some key points to consider when using scopolamine patches include:

• Applying the patch behind the ear 4 hours before travel
• The patch can last up to 3 days
• Scopolamine works by blocking muscarinic receptors and suppressing acute vertigo attacks
• Potential side effects include blurring of vision, dry mouth, dilated pupils, urinary retention, and sedation It's also important to note that other medications like dimenhydrinate (Dramamine) and meclizine (Bonine) can be used to manage motion sickness, but scopolamine patches are the most effective option. Non-medication strategies can also be effective in managing motion sickness, including:
• Sitting where there's less motion (middle of a boat or over the wings on a plane)
• Focusing on the horizon
• Getting fresh air
• Avoiding heavy meals before travel
• Using ginger supplements or wristbands that apply pressure to acupressure points If you have heart disease, glaucoma, prostate problems, or are pregnant, it's essential to consult a healthcare provider before using any medications for motion sickness.

From the FDA Drug Label

Dimenhydrinate Injection, USP is indicated for the prevention and treatment of nausea, vomiting, or vertigo of motion sickness. The answer to the question about Fenervan for motion sickness cannot be determined as Fenervan is not mentioned in the provided drug label, which is for dimenhydrinate. 2

From the Research

Fenervan for Motion Sickness

• There is no direct evidence in the provided studies regarding the use of Fenervan for motion sickness.
• However, the studies discuss the effectiveness of antihistamines, such as dimenhydrinate and meclizine, in preventing motion sickness symptoms 3, 4, 5.
• 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) 3.
• Dimenhydrinate was found to be effective against motion sickness, with a statistically significant reduction in nausea and vertigo compared to placebo 4, 6.
• Meclizine was also found to be effective, with a relative increase in torsional velocity compared to placebo during vestibular stimulation 5.
• Scopolamine, another medication used to prevent motion sickness, was found to be effective in reducing nausea and vertigo, with a significant reduction in caloric and postrotatory nystagmus 4, 7, 6.
• The evidence for the effectiveness of antihistamines and scopolamine in preventing motion sickness is generally of moderate to low certainty, with some studies having small sample sizes or high risk of bias 3, 4, 7, 5, 6.