How to curb that motion sickness

IT IS not a new medicine, but Dr. John P. Carey of Johns Hopkins University often recommends the scopolamine patch to his patients. The patch, sold under the brand name Transderm Scop, requires a prescription, and works by blocking brain signals that can cause queasiness.

The patch is placed behind the ear, where it slowly releases medication into the blood. The slow release helps minimise side effects, which can include drowsiness and dry mouth.

NASA astronauts use the same medication, but because they need the drug to work at warp speed, they take it orally, as a pill. NASA is developing a nasalspray version of the drug as well.

Antihistamines can also be effective in curbing motion sickness. Common drugs in his class include dimenhydrinate (known as Dramamine) and meclizine (known as Bonine). Both are available over the counter. A prescription antihistamine favoured by astronauts is promethazine, commonly given by injection for rapid relief of symptoms.

In fact, it was an allergist who in 1947 discovered that Dramamine was effective against motion sickness. When he used the drug to treat a patient with hives, she was also cured of chronic motion sickness. The doctor then began a program called Operation Seasickness.

He persuaded the US Army to test the effects of Dramamine on soldiers sailing to Germany aboard the transport ship General Ballou. Of the 389 soldiers who took the drug, 372 found that their motion sickness disappeared. It is important to keep in mind that Dramamine and Bonine are known to cause drowsiness, dry mouth and other side effects.