True Non Drowsy Motion Sickness pills

[morgan98]

Another Bonine user here. It is a chewable tablet I take once a day. It really does not make me drowsy like regular Dramamine does. However, at this point it may just be that I rather be a little drowsy than sick.

Although, I am now 45, I still suffer from motion sickness (especially car and bus travel, and to a lesser extent airplane and boats). Car sickness is a serious enough issue for me that I sometimes take a Bonine if I have to ride in the back seat of someone's car to a business meeting.

 

[leebee]

I get motion sick pretty easily (I get motion sick in swimming pools). I take a half-bonine if I am going to be riding in the front seat of a car (as opposed to driving), or a whole pill if I am going to be in the backseat. Fortunately most of my friends know how motion sick I get and are happy to let me sit in front when we carpool. I will take one pill every 24 hours when we are at Disney, to offset the effects of buses, trams, rides, boats… whatever moving things that I might encounter. I take 1 or 2 when I fly, depending on weather, and I always fall asleep when flying. It really works better for me that way, but I am also the driver of the rental car when we land. I honestly don't have any trouble being too tired to drive.

 

[crz4mm2]

Meclazine is OTC. You might need to ask for it, but it does not need a prescription. I usually buy mine at the local target or walmart.

I take it when I travel. Start the night before I leave. You can take it up to three times a day (I don't usually take that much). It doesn't make me sleepy but ymmv.

 

[Lilliputian]

No motion sickness pill will be non-drowsy for everyone. One thing that you might want to try is a magnesium citrate supplement. I used it for morning sickness in my first trimester several months ago, and it worked well for me. I mentioned it to the pharmacist next door to me, and she said that people are using it for motion sickness. It still can make you sleepy, but you can try it. You could also try taking it every single night before you go to bed. If you take it for a long time, it can increase the magnesium levels in your body and make you less likely to have motion sickness.

 

[Bkk40in2011]

Thanks for the replies. I am going to try taking it at night and see if I am drowsy the next day. I still can't see how that would help me with the rides at Universal if it isn't in my system but you cruise people are right - I did it on our Disney cruise at night and I didn't have any seasickness. We shall see if the minions send me into a tizzy.


Also just missed the magnesium comment. I need to start taking that anyway as I am pretty sure I am deficient so that would be a good thing to start and see if it works.

 

[msjprincess]

Thanks for the replies. I am going to try taking it at night and see if I am drowsy the next day. I still can't see how that would help me with the rides at Universal if it isn't in my system but you cruise people are right - I did it on our Disney cruise at night and I didn't have any seasickness. We shall see if the minions send me into a tizzy.


Also just missed the magnesium comment. I need to start taking that anyway as I am pretty sure I am deficient so that would be a good thing to start and see if it works.

Bonine only needs to be taken once a day. It will still be in your system the next day.

 

[bcla]

No motion sickness pill will be non-drowsy for everyone. One thing that you might want to try is a magnesium citrate supplement. I used it for morning sickness in my first trimester several months ago, and it worked well for me. I mentioned it to the pharmacist next door to me, and she said that people are using it for motion sickness. It still can make you sleepy, but you can try it. You could also try taking it every single night before you go to bed. If you take it for a long time, it can increase the magnesium levels in your body and make you less likely to have motion sickness.

It's an antihistamine and not everyone's bodies handle antihistamines the same way. Zyrtec is sold as "low sedating", but some people (myself included) find that it makes them drowsy. Even the supposed non sedating antihistamines come with warning that some people might find them sedating. I myself can't take a 180 mg Allegra without feeling odd, but half or the standard "12 hour" 60 mg dose and I feel fine.

Thanks for the replies. I am going to try taking it at night and see if I am drowsy the next day. I still can't see how that would help me with the rides at Universal if it isn't in my system but you cruise people are right - I did it on our Disney cruise at night and I didn't have any seasickness. We shall see if the minions send me into a tizzy.

It's supposed to be a "24 hour" medication, which means you'll get a spike in blood levels, then it just slowly reduces to the point where it's no longer effective. Of course that doesn't mean the same thing to everyone. Here's a plot of blood levels over 24 hours for a couple of drugs:

My wife was on a fairly common diabetes medication when she was pregnant, and it came in several dosages because of different body responses, weight, etc. However, most OTC medication dosages aren't about efficacy or side effects, but rather will it cause injury?

I suppose some are suggesting that you take it a few time such that your body can adjust to it.

 

[debknight]

I am interested in this...
Is the recommended dosage of the Bonine ONE tablet or TWO tablets.
And, while it was mentioned that the Rx version comes in chewable, I am wondering if it is okay to cut the tablets in half.

I seem to be really sensitive to things... for example, one can, if they wish, take two pseudoephedrine, but I take only a half of one at a time.

OMG, I think i wold be comatose if I took two of the Advil with pseudoephredine!

Pseudoephedrine does not make you sleepy, it can make you hyper, but never "comatose".

 

[bcla]

Pseudoephedrine does not make you sleepy, it can make you hyper, but never "comatose".

I've heard the occasional person claim that it makes them drowsy, even though it's supposed to be a stimulant. Some people apparently react differently. There are some stimulants where a small number of users finds it makes them drowsy.

However, you get the third degree buying the stuff now. I remember whipping out my passport card as ID to buy it, and was told it had to be a driver license or state ID issued by the DMV, since the tracking is done by the DL/ID number. I think my purchases also went into a national database. All this just so I can breathe through my nose.

 

[Starwind]

I cannot use Bonine (nor the chewable meclizine they were handing out on the DCL cruises we were on) because they have aspartame in them (which for me = instant migraine).

Instead I use Dramamine Less Drowsy. Same meclizine, but because it is not chewable they do not add an artificial sweetener to it. Not available in Canada, but we are close enough to the border I go to a US WalMart and stock up.

Probably not an issue for most people, but it may be for some.

In my anti-nausea / anti-motion sickness arsenal are also:

Sea Bands. http://www.sea-band.com I use the brand name, not knock-offs. The brand name actually has clinical studies behind it. I start wearing these at least the day before the cruise, wear them through the whole cruise, and because I have post-cruise motion issues, keep wearing them until the land stops moving after the cruise.

The final I don't know if it is available in the US (I have not seen it on US WalMart shevles when buying the the Dramamine):

GRAVOL® Natural Source® Ginger Tablets ( http://gravol.ca/en/products/natural-source/gravol®-natural-source®-ginger-tablets-ages-6/?cat=5 ). "Each tablet contains the equivalent to 500 mg of Ginger dried root.". Gravol has three versions of the product: these tablets, a liquigel, and a chewable. Slightly different ginger doses in each. AND the chewable, as with the Bonine, has aspartame. I have used both the liquigels and the tablets; my norm now is the tablets as they have a slightly higher ginger dose.

SW

 

[Starwind]

Pseudoephedrine does not make you sleepy, it can make you hyper, but never "comatose".

I have a good friend who is made really wired by Benadryl (and some other meds that are supposed to make you sleepy) and knock-out sleepy (as in must go to sleep, no choice) by pseudoephedrine. Apparently while certainly not common, both reactions are within the known possibilities. She has some other meds which she has weird reactions to as well.

 

[Soldier's*Sweeties]

I have a good friend who is made really wired by Benadryl (and some other meds that are supposed to make you sleepy) and knock-out sleepy (as in must go to sleep, no choice) by pseudoephedrine. Apparently while certainly not common, both reactions are within the known possibilities. She has some other meds which she has weird reactions to as well.

This is how I am.

I also have a really weird reaction to Zyrtec. It was giving me horrible dreams and mild paranoia. I went to the doctor and said, "I know this is going to sound crazy but...". She said had a few other patients report the same thing.

This is a good website to read about weird side effects some medications have on a few people(this is specifically the Zyrtec page so YOU all don't think I'm crazy):
http://www.medications.com/topics/browse?page=2&topic=zyrtec

 

[bcla]

I cannot use Bonine (nor the chewable meclizine they were handing out on the DCL cruises we were on) because they have aspartame in them (which for me = instant migraine).

Instead I use Dramamine Less Drowsy. Same meclizine, but because it is not chewable they do not add an artificial sweetener to it. Not available in Canada, but we are close enough to the border I go to a US WalMart and stock up.

How much can you stock up considering the expiration date? In any case, the generic/house brand versions are generally cheaper and most aren't chewable. One time we visited Reno via bus (my wife thought it was better than driving and we got some hotel/casino perks) and I started feeling queasy because of how much the bus shaked. I bought some Dramamine Less Drowsy because the store I bought it at had no generic version (out of stock). It was pretty expensive ($4.50 maybe?), but the small tube was somewhat convenient. If you're every buying this stuff again, maybe try a generic? The following has various inactive ingredient lists.

http://www.drugs.com/otc/motion-sickness-relief.html

I found it odd that it's no longer available in Canada.

https://costcopharmacy.ca/HealthInformationDrug.aspx?id=575

Meclizine is no longer being manufactured for sale in Canada and is no longer available under any brand names. This article is being kept available for reference purposes only. If you are using this medication, speak with your doctor or pharmacist for information about your treatment options.

Here's a generic non-chewable in 12.5 mg tablets. I'm not sure about the legality of the stuff or logistics of shipping it into Canada, but it's pretty cheap. The ingredients don't seem to include aspartame.

http://www.amazon.com/Rugby-Meclizine-Tablets-12-5mg-100ct/dp/B00B6SQX56
http://www.drugs.com/otc/193347/rugby-meclizine-hcl-12-5-mg-each-antiemetic.html

I'm not even sure why chewable tablets need to contain aspartame. What ever happened to just using sugar?

 

[msjprincess]

How much can you stock up considering the expiration date? In any case, the generic/house brand versions are generally cheaper and most aren't chewable. One time we visited Reno via bus (my wife thought it was better than driving and we got some hotel/casino perks) and I started feeling queasy because of how much the bus shaked. I bought some Dramamine Less Drowsy because the store I bought it at had no generic version (out of stock). It was pretty expensive ($4.50 maybe?), but the small tube was somewhat convenient. If you're every buying this stuff again, maybe try a generic? The following has various inactive ingredient lists.

http://www.drugs.com/otc/motion-sickness-relief.html

I found it odd that it's no longer available in Canada.

https://costcopharmacy.ca/HealthInformationDrug.aspx?id=575

Meclizine is no longer being manufactured for sale in Canada and is no longer available under any brand names. This article is being kept available for reference purposes only. If you are using this medication, speak with your doctor or pharmacist for information about your treatment options.

Here's a generic non-chewable in 12.5 mg tablets. I'm not sure about the legality of the stuff or logistics of shipping it into Canada, but it's pretty cheap. The ingredients don't seem to include aspartame.

http://www.amazon.com/Rugby-Meclizine-Tablets-12-5mg-100ct/dp/B00B6SQX56
http://www.drugs.com/otc/193347/rugby-meclizine-hcl-12-5-mg-each-antiemetic.html

I'm not even sure why chewable tablets need to contain aspartame. What ever happened to just using sugar?

You only need a tiny bit of artificial sweeteners compared to sugar. The pills would have to be much bigger if they used sugar. Even back when I was a kid they used saccharin in St Joseph's aspirin.

 

[bcla]

You only need a tiny bit of artificial sweeteners compared to sugar. The pills would have to be much bigger if they used sugar. Even back when I was a kid they used saccharin in St Joseph's aspirin.

It's apparently back on the market. No saccharine and no aspartame - just sucralose as the sweetener. However, I'm thinking of stuff like antacids or syrups which still contains sugar. I even remember way back when Sudafed was easy to get, and their red tablets were sugar coated to go down easy. I've had uncoated generic versions of Sudafed, and that stuff is bitter. I can't quite figure out why small amounts of sugar have become bad.

 

[Bkk40in2011]

Pseudoephedrine makes me sleepy too. I know that sounds weird but it is true every time I take it.

 

[Bkk40in2011]

Thanks for the update on the 24 hour effectiveness of the Bonine. I am going to take it tonight since I don't have anything to do until 6pm tomorrow night and see if I am drowsy tomorrow.

 

[bcla]

Thanks for the update on the 24 hour effectiveness of the Bonine. I am going to take it tonight since I don't have anything to do until 6pm tomorrow night and see if I am drowsy tomorrow.

They're kind of hard to find, but maybe you could get 12.5 mg tablets or you could split scored tablets. The instructions for the 12.5 mg said to take anywhere from 1 to 4 every 24 hours. I'm guessing some users try different amounts to adjust to their personal tolerance.

 

[rszdtrvl]

I find the first day I take meclizine (bonine or non drowsy Dramamine) I am more tired the first day but taking it at night helps. Usually by the 2nd night I don't have the same drowsiness effect. I also do better if I have it in my system for a few days then when I take it for the first time when I already need it.

We buy our Meclizine at the pharmacy counter. It is not a prescription thing, but that is where it is kept.
We take it a week before traveling, the entire time we travel, and a week after we travel.
Our family (especially DH and I) get airsick (not vomit, but dizziness) when we travel, and the above works perfectly!
Our dosage is 1 per day.

 

[Domo]

Completely out there, but many of the older anti-psychotics such as Stelazine started out life as a remedy to nausea and to this day are prescribed as such, when it is very important to keep other more important meds down. But that's really for drastic measures though.