Bonine - And children under 12?

[CAMICKEY]

Has anyone given their under 12 child the chewable Bonine tablets? I know the package says not to give them to children under 12 unless recommended by a doctor. I thoroughly respect my doctors opinion - She said its OK for my DS6, but would like to know if anyone else have ever done this and if they worked for your child. Thanks - Mike

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

Originally posted by CAMICKEY
I thoroughly respect my doctors opinion - She said its OK for my DS6, but would like to know if anyone else have ever done this and if they worked for your child.

My kids were 10 and 12 at he time we cruised. Their pediatrician said it was okay to give them Bonine. The Bonine worked perfectly to prevent motion sickness, but it seemed to make them drowsy.

On our next cruise, they'll both be "officially" old enough, but we're going to try half doses after the first night (which can be rough), to see if that's sufficient.

You may want to talk to your doctor about the right dosage for your 6-year-old. You may also want to ask why the package says not to give it to anyone under 12. (10 is pretty close to 12, but 6 seems like so much younger.)

 

[CAMICKEY]

Horace Horsecollar
She said half the dosage and she also said she used it on her own DD5 for their cruise last month. When I asked her about the "12" age limit, she said that they are being very cautionary and studies have shown this to be effective in children younger than 12 when properly dosed and that they are also worried about contraindications when used with other drugs (MY DS6 has been very healthy this past 6 years thank the Lord). I still may not use it (normally my DS6 does not have a problem on ships - only on curvy mountainous roads) but am thinking about taking some along anyway and just wanted to get some feedback from others on if they had ever given it to their children or at least had it prescribed by their pediatricians. Your children I agree were much closer to the recommended age guidelines. - Mike

 

[mobetsy]

I am usually fanatical about reading directions, but I didn't on the Bonine; I have no idea why! However, given that background: last year when ds had just turned 5, I gave him 1/2 a Bonine tab on the boat from Catalina Island back to San Pedro. He was already feeling a little queasy when I gave it to him (even though we'd been up in fresh air, looking at the horizon, etc.). He started to feel better and perked up, then napped on me for a while (it had been a long busy weekend, and I don't know if that was the meds or exhaustion), and showed no ill or odd effects from the Bonine.

This is in no way to be taken as a recommendation that anyone else try it...just my experience when I goofed and gave it to him!

 

[CAMICKEY]

Thanks Mobetsy - It can get very exciting sometimes getting to and from Catalina. This is what my pediatrician said also (i.e about drowsiness). - Mike

 

[hydster]

We gave a half to our 8 year old and she did just fine with it. We had bought generic meclizine and cut one tablet in half so she got half of a 12.5 mg pill. It worked amazingly well and she didnt seem to suffer from being sleepy too badly. We didnt give anything to our younger boys because they did fine. Like I've said before if you are going to give it to anyone (you, wife, kids) try it out at home before you leave so you will know what to expect and act accordingly! Some people in my family have been known to give their kids 1/4 of a tablet and they've done well. I'd just make sure they aren't allergic to it or suffer bad side effects before you leave. If they do then talk to their pediatrician about other things to do. We plan on giving it to our 10 year old again and will wait and see what happens with our boys who will be 9 and 5.


Just my opinion
Heidi

 

[mshinrockford]

Our Dr. suggested that we give our kids (ages 9 and 12) half doses of Bonine a week or so BEFORE we go on the cruise to check and see if there were any side effects. He said that it would be better to find out ahead of time so we could make any necessary adjustments.

The kids didn't have any trouble with the meds, and we stuck with the half dose for the entire trip without any problems with drowsiness, etc.

 

[CAMICKEY]

Thanks Hydster (BTW - I have a cousin named Heidi in Chicago - always liked that name for some reason). Yes I'm just looking for opinions unless there are any pediatricians reading this board that would like to reply. Also thanks for the advice about trying it out before we go - makes tons of sense. - Mike

 

[rsjj]

our pediatrician told us to bring benedryl for seasickness. my DS just went to his physical 2 weeks ago (he's turning 5 in 2 months), and we asked the dr. she mentioned that benedryl works the same as seasick pills that you get over the counter for adults. (i guess, same ingredients?) i assume those would be dramamine & bonine?

 

[hydster]

Mike...LOL I have always hated my name! Go figure! I always feel like I should have lived in the Swiss Alps.

rsjj---Meclizine, Dramamine Less Drowsy and Bonine are all the same basic thing as Benadryl. They are all pretty much Antihisitimines. We buy the Meclizine (which is the active ingredient in Bonine or Dramamine less drowsy) because it is MUCH cheaper than the name brand stuff AND since it is basically the same as Benadryl that way all of us can take it for sea sickness. I dont know if that makes sense but you are correct in that they are all the same basic thing as Benadryl. Dramamine regular however is a dimenhydrinate which is not the same as Benadryl.

Also on a side note...our pediatrician also recommended taking some Emetrol with us for upset stomach in case of eating too much or even to help with sea sickness tummy or stomach flu. It seemed to help when my daughter between the time when she told me she was sea sick and the Meclizine worked.

Heidi