Medical expert of the article
New publications
Preparations
Pills for motion sickness and nausea.
Last reviewed: 03.07.2025

All iLive content is medically reviewed or fact checked to ensure as much factual accuracy as possible.
We have strict sourcing guidelines and only link to reputable media sites, academic research institutions and, whenever possible, medically peer reviewed studies. Note that the numbers in parentheses ([1], [2], etc.) are clickable links to these studies.
If you feel that any of our content is inaccurate, out-of-date, or otherwise questionable, please select it and press Ctrl + Enter.
Doctors recommend choosing the most suitable pills for motion sickness and nausea, assuring that there is no universal remedy. It may take several attempts to find exactly "your" drug.
Any trip, even a short distance, or a long-awaited vacation can turn into real torture for people with a weak vestibular apparatus.
"Motion sickness", "sea sickness", "air sickness" are familiar to about 10% of the world's population. Most often, children under eight years of age become hostages of motion sickness syndrome.
What should children and adults do? Give up school excursions, cancel trips and stay at home all the time? Or decide to go on a trip, struggling the whole way with a hygiene bag and life-saving medicine?
Indications for the use of tablets for motion sickness and nausea
Every year new pharmacological agents appear that alleviate the condition of people with "motion sickness". This group of drugs prevents and copes with the main symptoms, as well as unwanted sensations, which include:
- nausea/vomiting, including persistent nausea during pregnancy;
- dizziness, Meniere's syndrome;
- signs of "sea"/"air" sickness;
- allergic reactions (itching, skin rashes).
Let's consider the indications for the use of tablets for motion sickness and nausea using the example of the most popular drugs:
- "Vertigohel" - German homeopathy from Heel, relieves motion sickness when traveling on a boat or plane. It is also prescribed for more serious problems that cause similar symptoms. It is currently impossible to find this medicine on the Ukrainian pharmacological market;
- "Avia-more" is a homeopathic substance of Russian manufacture, has an adaptive effect on the body in case of irritation of the vestibular apparatus. It is taken for the purpose of prevention, as well as relief from vomiting and dizziness caused by the road. Granules, as well as caramels, are indicated for adult patients and children;
- "bonin" is a drug from the USA with antiemetic and antihistamine effect. It copes not only with the signs of motion sickness. It suppresses nausea caused by food allergies. Chewable tablets act instantly, providing a positive effect for a day;
- "Dramina" - made in Croatia. Prevents dizziness, nausea and vomiting. Used to treat "motion sickness" in children from one year of age;
- "Ginger capsules" - a Russian-made drug in capsules that copes with the symptoms of "sea"/"air" sickness;
- "Travel Dream" is an acupuncture bracelet that affects the pericardium projection (marked by point P6 on the wrist). It is used repeatedly throughout the entire trip. The result is achieved within a couple of minutes after putting it on. Nausea attacks are relieved by pressing on the plastic ball built into the bracelet. The difficulty of use is associated with finding the right point;
- "cocculin" - French homeopathic tablets for motion sickness and nausea are intended for resorption. They fight "motion sickness" and also prevent its occurrence;
- "Ciel" is a Polish preventive and therapeutic agent for the relief of vestibular symptoms and labyrinthine disorders (nausea, vomiting, dizziness).
Some doctors agree that it is not the medication that helps, but the self-hypnosis associated with it. From where they make an unambiguous conclusion about the possible therapeutic effect, based on the patient's self-control, of course, if we are not talking about serious vestibular disorders. In the latter case, they prescribe special drugs, such as "betahistine", available only by prescription.
Release form
Motion sickness and nausea tablets are made in the form of lozenges, chewable candies, capsules, and there are also tablet and granulated types.
The oral dissolving form ensures maximum absorption speed and effect. Chewable and oral dissolving tablets are most suitable for babies.
Pharmacodynamics of motion sickness and nausea tablets
All anti-motion sickness medications are divided into groups:
- anticholinergics – the main subgroup, including substances that eliminate the autonomic symptoms of motion sickness;
- substances that depress the central nervous system (CNS) and act on receptors;
- antihistamines;
- psychostimulants;
- antiemetic tablets;
- motion sickness and nausea pills, the purpose of which is to develop a positive reaction of the body to negative conditions;
- substances that lead to the normalization of microcirculation and energy balance of processes in the nerve cells of the vestibular apparatus.
The drugs from the first group (for example, "Aeron") are anti-motion sickness drugs that have a selective inhibitory effect on the parasympathetic autonomic nervous system (including the periphery and autonomic centers).
The second group (prazepam, diazepam, etc.) includes sleeping pills, sedatives, and tranquilizers, which, due to their non-selective effect on the vestibular analyzer, are extremely rarely used as a pill for motion sickness and nausea. They are an indispensable remedy for long-term vestibular loads, for example, in conditions of a multi-day storm.
The third group – antihistamines (dramamine, bonine, etc.) are characterized by a moderate sedative and anticholinergic effect on the central nervous system.
The fourth group includes psychostimulants (caffeine, sidnocarb, etc.) that counteract the functional type of motion sickness that develops against the background of active parasympathetic centers. These drugs themselves do not have a pronounced antikinetic effect. However, their simultaneous use with substances from the first three groups not only increases the anti-motion sickness effect, but also smooths out the negative effects of stronger drugs on the mental functioning of the body and overall performance.
The pharmacodynamics of the fifth group of tablets against motion sickness and nausea (Avia-Sea, Torekan, etc.) is based on the principle of chemoreceptor blockade of the zone of origin of the gag reflex.
It is possible to adapt the body to the conditions of movement by means of vestibular training. The first results become noticeable after a month, and the greatest effect is observed in people with a slight decrease in vestibular stability. It is possible to accelerate such adaptation with the help of adaptogenic preparations of the sixth group - "eleutherococcus", "bemitil". The result will be achieved in 1-2 weeks.
The seventh group includes drugs (betaserk, preductal, aminalon, etc.) that eliminate factors that provoke sensitivity asymmetry at the cellular level of the vestibular apparatus, leading to normalization of resistance to movement conditions. To achieve a positive effect, long-term use of up to 3-4 months is required.
Pharmacokinetics of motion sickness and nausea tablets
The pharmacokinetics of motion sickness and nausea tablets includes the following characteristics of the drug: absorption or assimilation, distribution in the cells of the body and elimination of the drug.
Motion sickness and nausea tablets are characterized by good absorption properties in the digestive system and distribution in tissues. Absorption of lozenges and chewable tablets begins already in the oral cavity.
Biotransformation occurs mainly in the liver. Almost complete elimination occurs within 24 hours, and is carried out through the urinary system.
How to use motion sickness and nausea pills?
Homeopathic remedies for motion sickness are taken half an hour before meals. Herbal tablets and granules are usually dissolved in the mouth or placed under the tongue until completely dissolved. To maintain the effect, some remedies should be taken every 30-60 minutes.
It is recommended to take three or four “ginger capsules” 15 minutes before departure; the effect is maintained by repeated administration every four hours.
The drug "bonin" is chewed 60 minutes before the start of the journey, and the duration of action reaches 24 hours.
Method of administration and dosage of "cocculin" - the day before the trip and immediately before the start of the journey, 2 tablets are dissolved three times a day. If motion sickness begins on the way - 2 tablets every hour. Not recommended for children under three years old.
The medicine "Avia More" in tablets and in the form of caramel is used at least an hour before the exciting start. If necessary, the intake is repeated after 30 minutes, but not more than 5 times.
The effect of the drug "dramamine" lasts up to 6 hours. The drug is recommended half an hour before departure.
No less popular Canadian tablets for motion sickness and nausea are taken regardless of food intake. The prophylactic dosage for adults is 50 mg (1 tablet) half an hour to an hour before the trip. If necessary, 50-100 mg is repeated every 4-6 hours, but not more than 400 mg per day. Children 2-6 years old are given half or a quarter of a tablet with a repeat every 6-8 hours, not exceeding the daily norm of 75 mg. Children 6-12 years old are shown up to 150 mg per day, which is half or a whole tablet. To combat attacks of nausea, dizziness, uncontrollable vomiting, adult patients are prescribed 1-2 tablets every 4-6 hours, a maximum of 8 tablets (400 mg).
Any remedy for motion sickness is selected individually, so the dosage varies according to the doctor’s instructions.
Using Motion Sickness and Nausea Pills During Pregnancy
Taking medications during pregnancy should only be done with the permission of a gynecologist. Even the most harmless homeopathy is selected by trial and error, and among the plant components there may be substances that cause individual intolerance.
This rule includes tablets for motion sickness and nausea, which are most often prohibited for use in the first trimester of pregnancy, and are also not recommended for use during breastfeeding.
Using motion sickness and nausea pills during pregnancy:
- "Dramamine" - used during pregnancy, the drug is strictly contraindicated for nursing mothers;
- "bonin" - has no pronounced contraindications. It is recommended for use in cases of acute need, when there are clear signs of "motion sickness";
- "Ciel" - used in critical situations (for example, uncontrollable, persistent vomiting). The drug is prohibited in the first trimester and during the entire period of breastfeeding;
- “Avia-sea” – before using a homeopathic remedy, you should consult a doctor about individual intolerance; •
- "Vertigohel" - should be taken only after consultation.
Contraindications to the use of tablets for motion sickness and nausea
Before starting to take any substance against "motion sickness", you should carefully study the existing contraindications for the use of tablets against motion sickness and nausea. Particular attention should be paid to the possibility of using the drug in the treatment of babies, pregnant women, nursing mothers and allergy sufferers.
It would seem that the harmless drug "dramamine" is not suitable for people with cardiovascular diseases and bronchial asthma.
Patients suffering from glaucoma and prostate diseases are advised to refrain from taking the drug "bonin".
The presence of epilepsy and bronchial asthma makes it impossible to take Ciel tablets.
Some tablets for motion sickness and nausea contain lactose, such as "avia-more", "kokkulin", which makes it impossible for people with lactose intolerance to take these homeopathic remedies.
"Vertigohel" is not recommended for thyroid problems.
Ginger capsules are a universal remedy at any age, excluding individual intolerance to ginger, which causes allergic reactions.
Side effects of motion sickness and nausea pills
The use of an effective dose of anticholinergics is accompanied by dry mouth, dizziness, inability to focus the gaze at close range, changes in sweating and heat exchange, decreased mental activity, tachycardia, sedative and hallucinogenic effects.
Side effects of motion sickness and nausea pills, which depress the central nervous system and reflexes, include severe drowsiness, depression, problems with coordination and performance, and include hypotension and muscle relaxation.
Complaints about antihistamines include dry mouth, a feeling of heaviness in the head, drowsiness, and accommodation disorders.
Psychostimulants are characterized by the following side effects: increased pressure and contractions of the heart muscle, increased need for oxygen by the heart, arrhythmia and angina, insomnia, and the inability to perform complex coordinated actions.
When taking antiemetics (a prominent representative of the group is "torekan"), it is important to remember that relief from vomiting and nausea does not extend to other symptoms of "motion sickness". These drugs can even increase vestibular instability.
Adaptogenic tablets for motion sickness and nausea can cause headaches, allergic reactions, increased blood pressure, sleep disturbances, and irritation of the stomach lining.
Overdose
Motion sickness and nausea pills, if not taken as directed, can cause dizziness, drowsiness, and coma.
Symptoms of an overdose of the drug "Ciel" often appear within 30 minutes after taking it and include: headache, fatigue, drowsiness, dizziness. Also noted: skin itching, dilation of the vascular network, decreased tendon reflexes and muscle tone, blood pressure surges, speech changes, urinary retention, respiratory depression, etc.
An overdose of "bonin" in adults is characterized by CNS depression, convulsions, coma, drowsiness; elderly patients experience arterial hypotension; children suffer from convulsions, hallucinations, and sleep disorders.
Dryness of the mucous membrane of the mouth and nose, difficulty breathing, facial flushing, confusion, hallucinations, convulsions - all these are signs of an overdose of "dramamine".
To eliminate unwanted symptoms, enterosorbents and gastric lavage are prescribed. In particularly severe cases, hospitalization is required.
Interactions of motion sickness and nausea pills with other drugs
It is interesting that the drug "Vertigohel" is compatible with alcoholic beverages, while the drug "bonin", on the contrary, is contraindicated for use with alcoholic beverages.
Motion sickness and nausea tablets are not compatible with sleeping pills, antihistamines, sedative and antipsychotic drugs, tricyclic antidepressants, painkillers. Do not use in parallel with a group of ototoxic antibiotics (aminoglycosides), bismuth-based drugs, MAO inhibitors.
The drug "dramamine" significantly increases the effect of sleeping pills, antidepressants and alcohol on the body.
It is worth mentioning the drug "siel", which is contraindicated when taken simultaneously with ototoxic antibiotics such as "viomycin", "streptomycin", "kanamycin", etc. Parallel use of "siel" with "amphetamine" weakens the effect of the latter. The drug will be an antagonist in relation to corticosteroids and anticoagulants. However, it enhances the effect of such substances as: sleeping pills, barbiturates, neuroleptics, alcohol, antidepressants, catecholamines. Interaction with "theophylline" is characterized by an increase in its concentration in the body.
The interaction of motion sickness and nausea pills with other drugs can be absolutely unpredictable and cause a number of side effects. The consequences of not reading the instructions in time or neglecting the doctor's recommendations are fraught with gastric lavage, and often irreversible health problems.
Best before date
The average shelf life for motion sickness and nausea tablets is three to five years.
Attention!
To simplify the perception of information, this instruction for use of the drug "Pills for motion sickness and nausea." translated and presented in a special form on the basis of the official instructions for medical use of the drug. Before use read the annotation that came directly to medicines.
Description provided for informational purposes and is not a guide to self-healing. The need for this drug, the purpose of the treatment regimen, methods and dose of the drug is determined solely by the attending physician. Self-medication is dangerous for your health.