Seasick Patches vs. Scopace Tablets

[Zandy595]

We sure did. Both my DH and I cut it in half and used that. It worked like a charm for both of us.

My mom (nurse) suggested cutting them in half also, but I wasn't sure that would work. Glad to hear you were able to do that. Did you have any problems reading, like the PP's?

 

[tinapomp]

My mom (nurse) suggested cutting them in half also, but I wasn't sure that would work. Glad to hear you were able to do that. Did you have any problems reading, like the PP's?

Nope, we didn't have any problems reading. We even paid for the internet cafe to keep in touch with a friend of mine that was watching our cats. No problems whatsoever.

 

[Zandy595]

I just picked up a script for the patch today for DS. I asked the pharm. about cutting them in half and he said not to do it. I'm a little worried about sticking a full dose patch on a 94 lb. 12 year old. Neither the doc nor the pharm. seemed concerned about it. Anyone use them on their kids?

 

[din]

I just picked up a script for the patch today for DS. I asked the pharm. about cutting them in half and he said not to do it. I'm a little worried about sticking a full dose patch on a 94 lb. 12 year old. Neither the doc nor the pharm. seemed concerned about it. Anyone use them on their kids?

Our doc actually told us to start with half and if it does not work to use the ful patch

So far half patch works when they were younger

 

[Zandy595]

Our doc actually told us to start with half and if it does not work to use the ful patch

So far half patch works when they were younger

Really? How old were your kids? I think I'm still going to cut them in half, even though the pharmacist said not to. He was very young and said himself that he didn't really know anything about the Transderm Scop patches.

 

[gundo870]

I just use Bonine. I didnt feel sleepy either.

I started taking the full dose at least 24 hours prior to boarding. I take a full dose the first day at sea, then I take half a dose for the duration of the cruise. No problems!

The only time I felt "funny" was the first night at sea during dinner at Animators Pallet. I was able to eat, but I wanted to go topside. After that I got my sea legs.

** I did have a full supply of non-drowsy dramamine, bonine, a sea band and ginger. Try taking bonine or what ever you try when you are at home, then you can see how it effects your body.

A good thing to do also is to book an inside stateroom (some people get queezy looking out of the window), a lower deck, and midship or aft. One will less swaying or the up and down motion felt in the forward part of the ship.

 

[thepeacekeeper]

I've used the patch for many years and have had great success with it. My wife is an anesthetist and uses it on almost all her patients to help prevent nausea and vomiting after surgery. The only side effect I've experienced is a dry mouth. As far as it staying on, as long as your skin is clean and dry when it goes on it stays on quite well. I'm extremely susceptible to motion sickness and this has been a blessing for me.

 

[Soccermom-Cheri]

The patch saved me during two cruises. It did make my eyes blurry (but I may not have fully washed my hands after putting it on and then touched around my eyes) but I will take that over being sick. I did drink with it on and didn't have any problems.

I agree with that Yahoo quote. Everybody I know "feels" the ship moving for at least a few days after disembarking.

Now I use a different kind of wrist band. It sends a small electrical pulse to the part of your brain that makes you feel bad. It's expensive though - but for me totally worth it.

 

[outahere]

The advice I always give to friends who intend to use the patch, or any other seasickness med, is to try it at home, a few days prior to leaving for your cruise. That way you'll know if it gives you any bad side effects.

As for the patch..... we did the first Panama Canal E/B cruise with some friends and the wife was using the patch, and had used it on several previous cruises. About the third day she was very dizzy and her eyes were so blurry she couldn't read anything. When they came to dinner, she couldn't read the menu and was saying how bad she felt. I suggested she try removing the patch and see if that helped. Sure enough, the next morning she was fine and did not use the patch the rest of the cruise.

 

[elgerber]

I just got back, and my daughter and I both wore the patch. I must say, the patch is my new best friend. We had moderate seas with a good amount of rocking for most of our days, and neither of us ever felt sick!!! We didn't have any vision problems or any other side effects either. So for sure try it at home first, but don't be afraid to try it because of all the side effect warnings, not everyone has problems.

 

[Zandy595]

I just got back, and my daughter and I both wore the patch. I must say, the patch is my new best friend. We had moderate seas with a good amount of rocking for most of our days, and neither of us ever felt sick!!! We didn't have any vision problems or any other side effects either. So for sure try it at home first, but don't be afraid to try it because of all the side effect warnings, not everyone has problems.

Glad to hear they worked well for you and you had a good cruise. How old is your daughter? Did you use the whole patch or cut it in half?

 

[lavawalker]

Did you use the whole patch or cut it in half?

According to the Transderm Scop website, you should not cut the patch in half:

http://www.transdermscop.com/information-for-medical-professionals.htm

 

[tinapomp]

Both my DH and I had cut the patch in half and never had a problem. Our doctor said that he recommended cutting it in half, as it may lessen the side effects, and because we just wouldn't have needed the full dosage.

 

[Interpol]

Our doc actually told us to start with half and if it does not work to use the ful patch

So far half patch works when they were younger

Your doctor is mistaken. I am an anesthesiologist and regularly use transdermal scopolamine patches on patients in the operating room to help prevent post-operative nausea and vomiting.

Cutting the patch in half not only can change how the medication is administered/dosed into your body, but the scopolamine can also leach onto your fingers. If it stays there and you touch your eyes or mouth, you can have some serious side effects.

It's also stated in the PDR and full medication literature that the patch should never be cut or altered in any way. It should only be used as a whole unit.

The patch saved me during two cruises. It did make my eyes blurry (but I may not have fully washed my hands after putting it on and then touched around my eyes) but I will take that over being sick. I did drink with it on and didn't have any problems.

Blurred vision will happen regardless of how well you wash your hands. It's a side effect of the medication itself (it causes your pupils to dilate).

 

[OCD for WD]

Cutting the patch in half not only can change how the medication is administered/dosed into your body, but the scopolamine can also leach onto your fingers. If it stays there and you touch your eyes or mouth, you can have some serious side effects.

I'm a pharmacist and was just getting ready to say this before I saw someone beat me to it. Thanks doc!

I used the patch on my 15 night cruise and I only weight 100 pounds so I wouldn't be concerned about your 94 pound 12 year old. He may be more susceptible to the side effects, but he may not be. Just keep an eye on him and if he complains that blurry vision is bothering him (it will only be close vision, not far), then remove the patch and try something else. You never know who is going to have any kind of side effects from any drugs until you take them. Sorry, but all drugs have risks!

As far as the pills, Bonine and non-drowsy Dramamine are the exact same drug: meclizine. So if one works or doesn't work, same for the other. And they may cause drowsiness, may not. But it is almost guaranteed that regular Dramamine will cause drowsiness.

Hope this helps!

 

[elgerber]

Glad to hear they worked well for you and you had a good cruise. How old is your daughter? Did you use the whole patch or cut it in half?

Sorry, I did not see this until now. My daughter is 12. She is about 5 foot 5 and about 93 pounds (yes, skinny as a rail right now) and we each used the whole patch. We both did fabulous, and I would never go without it again! It really made the trip great for both of us, because I know we would have been ill without it.