Sea Sickness

[Horace Horsecollar]

Originally posted by Dr.Mama
Guest Services had free dramamine along with a sheet of instructions (can't give it to kids).

You can give Dramamine Original Formula to kids.

There are two different motion sickness medications marketed as Dramamine.

Dramamine Less Drowsy Formula is Meclizine Hydrochloride. The directions on the package say that this medication is for ages 12 and over only. Bonine is also Meclizine Hydrochloride, and is also for 12 and over only.

Dramamine Original Formula is Dimenhydrinate. Dramamine Original Formula can be give to children as young as 2, according to the directions on the package.

There is no Children's Bonine or Children's Dramamine Less Drowsy Formula. (Your pediatrician might approve use by a child who are not yet 12, but it's likely to be a case-by-case judgement.)

In the US, Bonine and Dramamine Less Drowsy Formula are available without a prescription. I understand that in Canada, Meclizine Hydrochloride requires a prescription. In Canada, the common brand name is Bonamine, not Bonine.

Both types of Dramamine are an antihistamine, so either one can produce some drowsiness. (That's also why it's called Dramamine Less Drowsy Formula, not Dramamine Non-Drowsy Formula.)

 

[MrsPete]

I do get car sick frequently -- especially if I'm not driving, if I'm sitting in the backseat, or if I'm pregnant (not a problem recently!).

Despite the fact that we had two storms and many people onboard were sick, I had NO PROBLEMS. Thus, I don't think that being prone to car-sickness makes you any more prone to sea sickness. In fact, both DH and I enjoyed laying in bed at night feeling the ship's movement. We were very far forward, and people say that you feel the movement more in that area of the ship.

Not knowing whether we'd have problems or not, we had brought along two boxes of Bonnie -- and, thankfully, we brought them back home unopened! I'd heard that medicine was available for free outside the medical center, but I noticed (as we were leaving for shore excursions) that it wasn't there. Perhaps they only put it out during stormy seas? I didn't have any need to go inside, so I can't say whether it was available there.

As for the sea bands, I bought them years ago when I was expecting my second child. (I had terrible morning sickness from about Month 2 to Month 5.) They didn't do anything for me during pregnancy. That may or may not be the same as sea sickness.

Ironically, I did have some trouble adjusting to land again after the cruise! For about three days I felt "funny". DH reported the same thing. I don't understand why I was fine in Nassau and on Castaway Cay, but I definately had some sort of motion-withdrawal back at home.

 

[mm126]

Anyone have suggestions on what to give a 4 & 6 year old? Our children do not suffer from motion sickness and do not get upset stomachs on rides - I don't think its going to be a problem. We are also sailing in early March - I don't think the seas will be too rough.

 

[sherr]

I am also wondering what to give 10 and 6 year olds. We are cruising first time in Feb. and I don't want them drowsy and cranky the whole time.
Thanks anyone.

Also, I have read start taking it before you leave or start taking the day you leave at lunch. I wonder which to do?

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

Originally posted by mm126
Anyone have suggestions on what to give a 4 & 6 year old? Our children do not suffer from motion sickness and do not get upset stomachs on rides - I don't think its going to be a problem.

Originally posted by sherr
I am also wondering what to give 10 and 6 year olds. We are cruising first time in Feb. and I don't want them drowsy and cranky the whole time.

As I noted earlier, the directions for Dramamine Original Formula say that it can be give to children as young as 2. But it can cause drowsiness. (Somewhere I have a picture of my kids sound asleep on the ferry from Victoria to Seattle.)

Motion sickness is an individual thing, and different people get motion sickness from different conditions. Some people don't get it at all (I wish I were that lucky). If your child never exhibits motion sickness in cars, airplanes, rides, boats, Imax movies, or anywhere else, the ship probably won't be a problem either.

The bad thing is that if you wait until someone has motion sickness, it's really too late for them to take medication. Still, at the first signs of any nausea caused by motion, it's good to get them into fresh air, and to have them look out at the horizon. At that point, if someone can keep motion sickness medication down for a half hour or so, it should start to work.

 

[SimbaSue]

Dean, Meclizine HCL 25 mg tablets are readily available on the ship. Just go down to the nurse's station or clinic or whatever it's called and they have a bin full of it just outside the door. You don't even have to go in. We stop by early in the cruise, just in case. I hope this helps! Have fun! Sus

 

[SimbaSue]

The Tag Fairy visited twice! I am so surprised and excited! Thanks Tag Fairy!

 

[CarolAnnC]

Seasickness seems to be far less prevalent in children. Perhaps because they are so busy and excited to be on the Disney Cruise, but they seem to tolerate the motion quite well!

 

[FredS]

I am the one in my family with a history of motion sickness. I got car sick as a child and still occasionally get queasy on long trip on curvy roads. It is odd, I can handle roller coasters, but put me on the teacups and I will get sick.

I was a little concerned about my children, particularly what to give my eight-year-old. His pediatrician said that half of the adult dosage of Dramamine II (aka Bonine, aka Meclizine) would be fine. I had a bout of vertigo a few years ago and took Meclizine without problems (unlike using regular Dramamine, which seems to knock out most humans!)

Anyway, my children and I took a dose early on the morning of the cruise (my husband has never had type of motion sickness and thought he would be fine, which he was.) After dinner the seas got a bit rough and I started feeling just the tiniest bit odd. Since it was nearing bedtime and I most definitely did not want to get fully in the throes of sickness, I took another pill (25 mg.)then. The next day the kids felt that they were fine, even as the medication wore off, and didn't want to take anything. I continued to take a daily dose with dinner for the rest of the cruise and never felt even any twinges of nausea or any side effects whatsoever.

One thing that I did want to mention was that the times we went by the medical center they definitely did NOT have any medication available outside. I specifically went by a couple of times during our exploration of the ship (Wonder). They may well have given you some if you went in and asked, but it was not available outside. Also, before buying a bottle of 100 pills, you might want to rethink if you would need anywhere near that number. We used 7 pills on our trip. You could buy 8 for less than $4, and 16 for $6.

 

[musicgirl]

I use dramamine less drowsy and I generally start taking it when I get to the airport. I still have problems unfortunately. I don't get sleepy, but when I'm moving, I always feel strange and sometimes awful.

I have purchased the electronic relief band. I use it in the car when dh drives. It is suppose to work right away when symptoms appear. I don't know if I'm totally convinced it will work on board. I think I'll try medicine along with it.

I have also used bonine and it doesn't seem any better than the dramamine. I'll be checking in with my ENT Dr. before we cruise in June.

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

Originally posted by musicgirl
I have also used bonine and it doesn't seem any better than the dramamine.

Bonine and Dramamine Less Drowsy Formula are the same medication in the same strength -- Meclizine Hydrochloride, 25 mg.

Last year, Pfizer, the long-time maker of Bonine, bought the company that makes Dramamine. Pfizer divested iteself of Bonine, under orders from the Federal Trade Commission. So now Pfizer makes the Dramamine products and no longer makes Bonine.

 

[musicgirl]

Well, at least that makes sense!

 

[lauravk]

My doctor has prescribed the patch for me - I have never seen this before and have not filled the Rx yet so I have no idea reaally how it works - anyone used it before - was it effective? Does it make you sleepy? Thanks....

 

[newms]

We were on a rough ship Dec 4 Wonder; the medical facilities had "sea calm" tablets outside the door for the taking. I took Bonine 1 hour prior to sailing, and gave my 11 and 9 year old a half tablet. We all weathered the rough seas while others withered around us. My husband was very ill (said he wouldn't need the Bonine) and ended up taking "sea calm" the rest of the night. I was very happy with Bonine.

 

[FredS]

Originally posted by lauravk
My doctor has prescribed the patch for me - I have never seen this before and have not filled the Rx yet so I have no idea reaally how it works - anyone used it before - was it effective? Does it make you sleepy? Thanks....

I have never used it, but the couple at the next table in our dining rotations were both using patches, with fairly significant side effects. As I recall, the worst being some visual disturbances. They were afraid to remove them, mid-cruise, however, so they lived with it.

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

Originally posted by lauravk
My doctor has prescribed the patch for me - I have never seen this before and have not filled the Rx yet so I have no idea reaally how it works - anyone used it before - was it effective? Does it make you sleepy? Thanks....

I've used the "Transderm Scop" (Scopolamine) patch on two previous cruises -- a 1993 Celebrity cruise and a 2002 Disney cruise.

In both cases, it worked well for me. I had no problems at all with motion sickness. In 1993, I had a dry mouth while using the patch, and I was rather disoriented, even though I usually have a great sense of direction. In 2002, I had the same side effects, but to a much lesser extent. I just got another prescription for our 2004 Disney cruise.

Others on this board have reported severe side effects, including blurred vision.

See http://www.transdermscop.com/ for more infomation and a $3 rebate coupon.

 

[sherr]

A question for FRedS,

You said you gave your children 1/2 the adult dosage of Dramamine II. Is this non drowsy ? Was it pill form? My girls cannot take pill form. They gag every time they try. So I'm wondering is there a chewable for them that will not make them drowsy and tired.? Maybe I should just ask the pharmacist.

So taking the morning we leave is a good idea?
I just don't want to take any chances that I would have a sick child in the stateroom for the 3 day cruise.

Thanks!

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

Originally posted by sherr
A question for FRedS,

You said you gave your children 1/2 the adult dosage of Dramamine II. Is this non drowsy ? Was it pill form? My girls cannot take pill form. They gag every time they try. So I'm wondering is there a chewable for them that will not make them drowsy and tired.? Maybe I should just ask the pharmacist.

I'm not FredS, but I can answer some of your questions.

Dramamine II is no longer sold under that name. It is now called Dramamine Less Drowsy Formula. It's still the same medication -- 25 mg of Meclizine Hydrochloride.

According to Pfizer, "Do not use in children under 12 years of age unless directed by a doctor."

Yes, there's a chewable form of Meclizine Hydrochloride, but it can make the user "drowsy and tired" (but less drowsy than Dramamine Original Formula). It's Bonine, which comes in raspberry flavored chewable tablets.

My kids, who were 10 and 12 at the time, took one chewable Bonine tablet each morning, at the advice of our doctor. By evening, they were very tired -- probably much more tired than they would have been if they had not taken the Bonine.

On our next cruise, both kids will officially be old enough to take Bonine (or any other brand of 25 mg of Meclizine Hydrochloride). The official diections are:
• Take first dose one hour before starting activity
• Adults and children 12 years and over: 1 to 2 tablets once daily, or as directed by a doctor.

We're going to go with one tablet on the first morning, followed by a half tablet on subsequent days. We'll only increase the dose if there are signs of motion sickness, or if the seas are unusually rough. I hope that with a lower dose, we can prevent motion sickness and limit the drowsiness.

 

[newms]

When my two kids took Bonine, they had no problem chewing the raspberry flavored tablet and both hate pills. I gave them both half and neither had side effects. The effects are supposed to last the entire evening; they took it at 6:00 p.m. (when the seas got rough) and it really didn't kick in until after 7:30-8:00 so I would recommend taking it at the sail away party.