• Recent

Motion Sickness

BNF Treatment summaries Nausea and labyrinth disorders.

Guidelines

1st line: hyoscine hydrobromide (anti-cholinergic)
  • Oral: 150-300 mcg to be taken 30 min before the journey
  • Transdermal: 1 patch to be applied behind the ear 5-6 hours before the journey
 
Antihistamines may also be effective:
  • 1st generation (less sedating): cinnarizine, cyclizine 
  • 2nd generation (more sedating): promethazine hydrochloride, promethazine teoclate 
 
 

Anti-emetics should be given to prevent motion sickness (i.e. before a precipitating event), but NOT after nausea or vomiting develops.

 
BNF states that the following are ineffective in motion sickness: 
  • Domperidone 
  • Metoclopramide hydrochloride 
  • 5HT3-receptor antagonists (e.g. ondansetron)
  • Phenothiazine (except promethazine)
Author: Stella Panou 
Reviewer:
Last edited: 07/05/2025