Remedy for carsick kids

[Lesley]

I have a 6yo who gets car sick. In a pinch we discovered that dramamine solved her problem...even though I had to crush it and mix it with sugar and soda to cover the taste so she would take it. The stuff is terribly bitter.

Recently I did some research online to see if I could find at least a chewable (ie. palatable) version of dramamine for her that I could more easily give her on the road. There does happen to be Bonine for Kids chewable....its not the same ingredient as either dramamine (dimenhydrinate) or regular bonine (meclizine). Unfortunately in my limited errand time I have not been able to locate it locally.

But my big discovery came about yesterday as I decided to do a little more online research. I saw a passing reference on one site that indicated that dimenhydrinate is closely related to diphenhydramine (Benedryl). So I searched dimenhydrinate to find out more. As it turns out, dimehydrinate is simply diphenhydramine with a stimulant drug added to counteract the sedative effect. So a lightbulb went off....could I simply give my dd Benedryl to take care of her motion sickness? She's 6yo, she's not going to be driving the car, and it would work out just fine to have her sleep during long drives.

After a search about Benedryl, I did find that it is indicated for motion sickness. This is not listed on the package anywhere since its marketed as an allergy medicine.

All this time I've been looking for a better way than crushing adult pills...and going out of my way to get motion sickness pills...when I could have just given her the benedryl we already have in the medicine cabinet! I also feel a lot better because benedryl is a drug I know she tolerates well so I have less worries about weird side effects (though now that I know what dramamine is made from I wouldn't be worried by that either).

So, long story short....Benedryl can be used to prevent and treat car sickness (and any other motion sickness). A very simple solution that took quite a bit of research to find! I wanted to share just in case someone else has a car sick kid....or discovers partway through a car trip that the kids get car sick. Pack the benedryl!

 

[susykt4]

Great tip! Thanks!!!!

 

[luckymommy]

My DS6 also gets carsick and they do make a chewable Dramamine ( orange flavor). I cant find it OTC but our local Walmart pharmacy will order it for you. Its take roughly 1-2 days to get it. You may want to try that too!

 

[Lesley]

I saw some reports online that the chewable dramamine was pretty awful tasting....that some parents couldn't get their kids to take it. Great if your kid will take it though. Benedryl also comes in chewables, not sure if they taste okay or not.

I do like the benedryl idea mainly because its easy to give, I know my dd will take it (the dye free bubble gum flavored liquid), I prefer not to give a stimulant at the same time (which is the only difference between benedryl and dramamine) and its one less thing I need to keep on hand. We already always have benedryl because it helps my kids sleep when they get fire ant stings that might otherwise keep them up itching all night.

 

[julsmom]

I give my DD chewable dramamine. She takes it fine. I just give her a drink with it. Your DD may take it if you do not make a big deal about it. Just set it there and kind of walk off. If she knows what it will mean, then she will probably take it. I am nervous to try benadryl because it really knocks her and I out. Completely. I don't like that.

I even took the dramamine for some of the rides. It worked great.

 

[all4fun]

I have seen this listed as a remedy on AskDrSears website Car Sick Infant FAQ as well. Glad you found something that will work for you!

 

[lnh'smom]

One thing I have found with the dramamine is to crush it in a small cup of ice cream. Can't taste it in there. Just another suggestion.

 

[QueenGoblin]

Benedryl always made me nutty as a kid and makes me feel weird still as an adult. I'm just kooky that way. I've been hesitant to give it to DD just in case. But that is a great tip for families who already use it and have it around the house. Nice find
I have found ginger helps me a lot when my tummy is upset. They have ginger capsules, teas, altoids, even ginger ale can help in a pinch. There is someone else on these boards that said she saw a Mythbusters episode where they tested a bunch of motion-sickness remedies and ginger actually came out on top. So that is another thing to try in the quest for those of you trying to find the best motion sickenss solution for your particular family.

 

[wrighter]

To reinforce what QueenGoblin said, I have read that Ginger Snaps are a good snack when kids are car sick. Used them with my son and it did work. Makes sense when you think about the fact that our parents gave us ginger ale when we were sick.

Good luck!

 

[forever-sunshine]

Coming from someone that still gets car sick easily here on some more ideas.

Yep Dramamine & Benadryl work great. As a kid if we went for a drive I automatically went to sleep, I knew I would get sick if I didn't. It drove my parent's crazy that I would sleep on every car trip we went on.

Let your child sit by the window if possible.
Keep them cool - if she can tell that she is starting to feel sick it helps my daughter to have the cool air turned on high quickly, roll down the nearest window to get the wind on her face and get shoes and socks off fast.

I try to always leave the air on a little bit in my car - it helps both my daughter and I from getting sick in just normal driving too by keeping the air moving.

Good luck!

 

[tmarquez]

Thanks for the info! My DD just started getting car sick. The weird thing is that I gave her the chewable Dramamine and it made her feel very drowsy and yucky...but when she takes the liquid Benadryl for allergy things it doesn't make her drowsy at all. It seems like it should be the other way around. I will try the Benadryl for our next car trip.