Seasick Patch and Drinking

[Tinkified]

Got an Rx for the seasick patch today. We are not "big drinkers" by any stretch of the imagination...maybe one or two at dinner when we go to a restaurant once or twice a month or at special events. I see the RX says to avoid alcohol when using the patch.

Questions are:

Is this really a NO-NO...like we will get horribly sick from combining both? Or is this a blanket warning that appears on a RX like you see on other rxs? (not to say it shouldn't be on there, but it has to be there kind of thing..I think you know what I mean)

I know everyone's bodies react differently, but what have been your experiences, if any, with a drink or two with the patch?

Bottom line is we are willing to give up the one or two drinks to have a non-seasick enjoyable cruise since we don't regularly drink...we wouldn't miss it if we didn't type thing. Thanks in advance.

Michelle

 

[ChloroFiend]

(Note: I'm not a doctor, don't play one on TV, nor did I stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night.)

The patch contains an active ingredient called scopolamine. Some of the possibly side effects are drowsiness, dizziness, and blurred vision. Sound familiar to something else?

Everyone's body reacts differently to any given drug, alcohol included. That's especially true with interactions. Definitely easy into it and be ready to put down the booze if you're all the sudden stumbling and drooling on yourself after one beer.

Then again, I've always viewed 'alcohol may intensify effect' as a bonus, not a warning.

 

[jstin]

Got an Rx for the seasick patch today. We are not "big drinkers" by any stretch of the imagination...maybe one or two at dinner when we go to a restaurant once or twice a month or at special events. I see the RX says to avoid alcohol when using the patch.

Questions are:

Is this really a NO-NO...like we will get horribly sick from combining both? Or is this a blanket warning that appears on a RX like you see on other rxs? (not to say it shouldn't be on there, but it has to be there kind of thing..I think you know what I mean)

I know everyone's bodies react differently, but what have been your experiences, if any, with a drink or two with the patch?

Bottom line is we are willing to give up the one or two drinks to have a non-seasick enjoyable cruise since we don't regularly drink...we wouldn't miss it if we didn't type thing. Thanks in advance.

Michelle

Okay so I just got a RX for the same thing and I asked the Doc that exact question. She told me that it could intensify the effects of the alcohol or it could do nothing. The good thing with the patch is you can always take it off and it is gone unlike a pill that is in your system, atleast that is what the doctor told me. I will only be using the patch as a last resort. This is due to the fact that the patch can make you tired. I will be first trying to using ginger which I use for car sickness with great success. Have a great cruise.

Jennifer

 

[TinkerbelleMom]

DH's experience with the path and a drink or two is that the alcohol seems to affect him less. Not a good thing according to him!

 

[outahere]

The good thing with the patch is you can always take it off and it is gone unlike a pill that is in your system, atleast that is what the doctor told me.

Well...... not necessarily so for everyone. A few years ago we cruised with another family and their DW was experiencing pretty severe side effects from the patch (blurred vision, drowsiness, etc.). Even though she had used the patch on previous cruises, with no problems, it was obviously affecting her. She removed it around dinner time, but didn't feel well until the next morning.

Whatever seasick meds you use, I always strongly suggest that you try them for a couple of days while you're still at home to see if/how they will affect you before you get on the ship.

 

[Cindi0511]

Well...... not necessarily so for everyone. A few years ago we cruised with another family and their DW was experiencing pretty severe side effects from the patch (blurred vision, drowsiness, etc.). Even though she had used the patch on previous cruises, with no problems, it was obviously affecting her. She removed it around dinner time, but didn't feel well until the next morning.

Whatever seasick meds you use, I always strongly suggest that you try them for a couple of days while you're still at home to see if/how they will affect you before you get on the ship.

This is very true. By taking off the patch, you stop any more medicine from going into your system, but you have to allow time for what's already IN your system to get out, so it IS like a pill in that sense. What's inside still has an effect until your body purges it out, and that does take some time.