Motion sickness, or kinetosis, can occur when sensory, visual and auditory signals about the position of your body are sending contradictory messages to the brain. Motion sickness can trigger symptoms of dizziness, nausea and vomiting, but there are several effective over-the-counter medications to prevent the condition.
Dramamine
Dramamine, containing the medicine dimenhydrinate, works to combat dizziness and vomiting. A 1993 study published in Gastroenterology and produced by researchers with the departments of psychology and medicine at Penn State University concluded that dimenhydrinate can decrease vection-induced motion sickness. The mechanism of actions can be contributed to the drug's ability to depress the central nervous system and suppress gastro-intestinal activities. Dramamine's side effects include dizziness and severe drowsiness. Do not drive or use heavy machinery when taking this drug.
Stugeron
Stugeron is an over-the-counter non-prescriptive medication containing the antihistamine cinnarizine. The pharmacogenomics-based online site, pharmgkb.org, cited cinnarizine as an effective drug against nausea and vomiting associated with motion sickness. The drug works by keeping signals from neurons (brain cells) from activating the vomiting center in the hypothalamic region of the brain. Sturgeron can cause drowsiness as a side effect.
Marezine and Antivert
Marezine (cyclizine) and Antivert (meclizine) are two over-the-counter antihistamine drugs used to prevent symptoms of motion sickness, such as, nausea, vomiting and dizziness. An article published in the Journal of Aviation, Space and Environmental Medicine (ASEM) in October 1997, found that Marezine was effective in preventing symptoms of motion sickness. Antivert has similar mechanism of actions to Marezine but takes longer to work and can last for up to 24 hours. Side effects of Antivert are blurry vision, drowsiness and dry mouth.
Hyoscine
Hyoscine, also called scopolamine, is used to prevent motion sickness. Scopolamine is a belladonna alkaloid, derived from the plant. It is an effective anti-motion sickness medication available on the market. It works by inhibiting the activation of the vomiting center in the brain. An article published in the European Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, May 2001, by researcher Norbert Klöcker, concluded that scopolamine as a nasal spray method was effective in preventing motion sickness. Hyoscine side effects include dry mouth, dizziness and drowsiness.
