The holidays are here and with increased travel needed to meet family and friends, motion sickness is a concern for many with about 1 in 3 people being highly susceptible. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), motion sickness is more common in:
women during pregnancy, menstruation, and while taking hormone replacement therapy or birth control
children ages 2 to 12 years old
history of migraines, vertigo, and vestibular disorders
What is motion sickness?
Motion sickness is a feeling of illness or discomfort associated with unpleasant symptoms when one experiences certain types of motion due to conflicting signals being sent to the brain from sensory organs such as the eyes, inner ear, and skin. It usually occurs when traveling in a vehicle such as a car, boat, airplane, or amusement park ride, but motion sickness can also arise while watching movies or playing video games.
Symptoms of motion sickness
Nausea/Vomiting
Dizziness
Sweating
Fatigue
Headache
What is Dramamine?
Dramamine, manufactured by Prestige Consumer Healthcare, is a commonly used over-the-counter (OTC) brand name for motion sickness and nausea medications containing the antihistamine, dimenhydrinate or meclizine. Dramamine's dimenhydrinate and meclizine:
blocks histamine receptors for allergies
decreases inner ear/vestibular stimulation for dizziness
blocks the chemoreceptor trigger zone (CTZ) for nausea
Dramamine can be used for prevention or treatment, depending on the timing of its administration. For prevention, the first dose should be taken 30 minutes to 1 hour before starting activity, whereas for treatment, the first dose should be taken as soon as symptoms present. It is recommended to speak with a healthcare provider before starting OTC medications to see if it is appropriate for you.
Potential side effects
Drowsiness/fatigue
Blurred vision/dry eyes
Dry mouth
Urinary retention
Headache
Precautions
Dimenhydrinate: Do not use for children under 2 years of age unless directed by a doctor
Meclizine: Do not use for children under 12 years of age unless directed by a doctor
Glaucoma
Difficulty urinating due to an enlarged Prostate
Allergic reactions
Avoid alcohol and other sedating medications
Caution when driving motor vehicles or operating machinery
Are Dramamine products vegan-friendly?
Product | Active Ingredient | Onset & Duration of Action (DOA) | Animal-Free? | Certified Animal-Free? |
Dramamine Original Formula | Dimenhydrinate 50mg | Onset: 15-30 minutes DOA: 4-6 hours | No (Lactose) | Not applicable |
Dimenhydrinate 50mg | Onset: 15-30 minutes DOA: 4-6 hours | Yes | No | |
Dimenhydrinate 25mg | Onset: 15-30 minutes DOA: 4-6 hours | Yes | No | |
Dramamine All Day Less Drowsy | Meclizine HCl 25mg | Onset: 1 hour DOA: 24 hours | No (Lactose) | Not applicable |
Dramamine Less Drowsy Chewable | Meclizine HCl 25mg | Onset: 1 hour DOA: 24 hours | No (Lactose) | Not applicable |
Conclusion
Dramamine products which contain dimenhydrinate or meclizine, can be used to prevent and treat motion sickness. Out of Dramamine's lineup of 5 OTC motion sickness medications, there are 2 verified animal-free dimenhydrinate-containing choices available for selection, Dramamine Chewable and Dramamine For Kids, which are available for purchase through our online marketplace. It's important to pay attention to the symptoms of motion sickness, age, dose timing for best effect, dose, side effects, and precautions when considering Dramamine products for motion sickness relief. The VeganMed team wishes you safe travels and happy motion sickness-free holidays!
CALL TO ACTION
As a reminder, please comment on this FDA Citizen Petition, requesting clear labeling of animal-derived ingredients in medications. Together, we can make a difference.
Co-authored by: Giovanna Gonzalez
Disclaimer: The product and/or information provided on VeganMed is of a general nature and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. We do not lab test the products to confirm that they are free from animal ingredients, and it is possible that the formulation and ingredients could have changed. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or product. The information provided in this post is accurate and up to date as of the date it was written. However, please note that circumstances and facts may change over time, and new information may become available that could alter the accuracy or relevance of the content. We encourage readers to verify and cross-reference any information provided here with trusted sources or consult relevant professionals for the most current and accurate updates.
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