A person who is experiencing symptoms of motion sickness may have limited choices for treatment. An ounce of prevention is often worth a pound of cure.
Option
Medications
Limitations
intramuscular injection (IM)
promethazine HCl, metoclopramide HCl, diphenhydramine HCl, dimenhydrinate, cyclizine, trimethobenzamide HCl
injection supplies may not be available
rectal suppository
promethazine HCl, dimenhydrinate, trimethobenzamide HCl
finding a volunteer to place a suppository if the person is incapacitated
buccal or sublingual
buclizine HCl, other
active vomiting may limit absorption
transdermal patch
scopolamine HBr
delayed onset; use only if the exposure will be prolonged
Other issues for the symptomatic patient:
(1) dehydration from prolonged vomiting
(2) temporary incapacitation
(3) administration of oral medications
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Specialty: Emergency Medicine, Critical Care
