Motion Sickness/Medication

[Funsun60]

Previously, Canadians were able to access medical transdermal patches to alleviate/minimize motion sickness. I understand these patches remain available in the USA. I am not sure if they are available in Europe without RX.  This option is no longer available in Canada. My question: are transdermal patches (not herbal)  available for purchase on board?

Thank you

[crystalspin]

Scopalamine patches are still available in USA by prescription only. As far as Dr.Spin knows, they are not generic and the trade name is TransDermScope. They are quite expensive and have significant side-effects.

 

If the infirmary on ship has them, you would have to be seen by the ship's doc and be prescribed to receive them. They would not be for "purchase on board" by just anyone. Also, I have never heard of anyone receiving such an Rx on board.  

[julia]

A transdermal patch would be my very last choice, as noted, they have a lot of side effects. I've recommended generic meclazine often and it is effective.  Take it prior to boarding, stay low and outside on the ship (when you can) and eat light and often. 

[Vict0riann]

Is dymenhydrinate meclazine?  

[Navybikermom]

19 minutes ago, Vict0riann said:

Is dymenhydrinate meclazine?  

No, that’s the drug in Dramamine. Meclizine is sold over the counter, usually in 25mg chewable tablets. It’s my go-to treatment for motion sickness!

[0106]

@Vict0riannDimenhydrinate is different from Meclizine.  Both are used to prevent and treat nausea, vomiting, and dizziness caused by motion sickness. Meclizine is most effective if taken before symptoms appear.

There are some useful tips for dealing with motion sickness in this thread.

 

[57redbird]

1 minute ago, Navybikermom said:

No, that’s the drug in Dramamine. Meclizine is sold over the counter, usually in 25mg chewable tablets. It’s my go-to treatment for motion sickness!

But as @ger_77 found out - it's not available in Canada.

[Navybikermom]

1 minute ago, 57redbird said:

But as @ger_77 found out - it's not available in Canada.

I guess I didn’t see that in this post… I thought the poster was talking about transdermal patches. Can Canadians order it from Amazon or won’t it make it through their customs? 

[0106]

I do not believe Meclizine can be ordered from Amazon in Canada.  The OP was looking for a way to acquire Scopolamine patches outside of Canada .

[Vict0riann]

1 hour ago, 0106 said:

@Vict0riannDimenhydrinate is different from Meclizine.  Both are used to prevent and treat nausea, vomiting, and dizziness caused by motion sickness. Meclizine is most effective if taken before symptoms appear.

There are some useful tips for dealing with motion sickness in this thread.

 

I only asked because the picture @julia posted was of dimenhydrinate.  It confused me, so I looked at my Dramamine pills and that is also what it said there..

[julia]

I apologize for any confusion... I have always referred to (the product posted above) as "genetic meclazine", and now I stand corrected.  I do not get seasick, but I do travel with this, and have shared with others onboard when needed.

[ger_77]

4 hours ago, Funsun60 said:

Previously, Canadians were able to access medical transdermal patches to alleviate/minimize motion sickness. I understand these patches remain available in the USA. I am not sure if they are available in Europe without RX.  This option is no longer available in Canada. My question: are transdermal patches (not herbal)  available for purchase on board?

Thank you

The transdermal patches are no longer available in Canada and neither is Bonine.  I suggest if you're near the U.S. border or have a flight that stops in a US location, hit up a drug store or Walmart or Costco and pick up Meclizine.  The brand name is Bonine, but the generic Meclizine is far less expensive.

 

Failing that, if you have friends in the US, they may be able to provide you with some through the mail.

[YourWorldWithBill]

5 hours ago, Funsun60 said:

Previously, Canadians were able to access medical transdermal patches to alleviate/minimize motion sickness. I understand these patches remain available in the USA. I am not sure if they are available in Europe without RX.  This option is no longer available in Canada. My question: are transdermal patches (not herbal)  available for purchase on board?

Thank you

To answer the basic question, I don't believe that the patches are available onboard. So, even if you saw the doctor, you would get something else.

 

I also want to echo what some others have said: pretty strong side effects. My wife tried them on a couple of cruises, and on the last one the dry mouth and other symptoms were so strong that she will not use them again. We take ginger tablets, and she will take Bonine (Meclizine). 

[Hlitner]

We had a friend who used to work (part time) as a HAL ship physician.  That ended when HAL decided not to use North American doctors.  Our doctor friend once entertained our large dinner tables with tales of Transdermal Scop side effects.  The most amusing tale involved an elderly women found wandering a corridor, stark naked and hallucinating.  Our friend told us that cruise ship docs would not prescribe that drug and it is seldom stocked on any cruise ship.

 

DW used to use the patch until she found it difficult read a book because of blurred vision.  We are currently on Oceania Vista, where we have noticed a few using the patch, so it’s still available …somewhere.
 

Hank

[syesmar]

On 4/25/2024 at 1:13 PM, Navybikermom said:

…Meclizine is sold over the counter, usually in 25mg chewable tablets. It’s my go-to treatment for motion sickness!

Does anyone know if the front desk still provides complimentary Meclizine to seasick passengers?

[aliaschief]

On our world voyage we have had some encounters with some 22-24 foot seas and I used a Eme Term wrist band that send electrical pulse to the brain which sends message to stomach.

Approved by FDA and is effective in 83% of people. People with pacemakers should not use.

I learned about the device when my daughter had morning sickness during her pregnancy and her Dr. told her to get one. It immediately stopped her nausea.

I have used it and have not had motion sickness.

[BigBee51]

Check Amazon in Canada. Generic over-the- counter Meclizine is considerably cheaper than Bonine. We start taking a day or so before the cruise and continue throughout the cruise. Twice a day with no side affects.

[Caribbean Chris]

4 hours ago, Hlitner said:

Our doctor friend once entertained our large dinner tables with tales of Transdermal Scop side effects.  The most amusing tale involved an elderly women found wandering a corridor, stark naked and hallucinating…

 

I was a travel agent in my younger years and once had a group on a Cunard ship. The group’s escort called to advise that an elderly woman who used the patch had a similar experience - hallucinating, wandering, suffered a fall. I was really, really glad we had suggested in writing that our group passengers book travel insurance. 

[Vict0riann]

3 hours ago, syesmar said:

Does anyone know if the front desk still provides complimentary Meclizine to seasick passengers?

 

I seem to remember someone on our recent TA on Nieuw Statendam went to the Front Desk to get a seasick pill and was charged.

[sherryf]

On 4/25/2024 at 2:55 PM, YourWorldWithBill said:

We take ginger tablets, and she will take Bonine (Meclizine). 

Ginger is a great preventative.  I take ginger chews/candy from Trader Joe's, but also just drink ginger ale if I'm feeling a little "off".  If you have HIA, it's easy to stop by a bar and ask for a can of ginger ale or two, and keep them in your fridge in case you need them later.  

 

I also bring generic meclazine, but only use it if I really need it.  Luckily I'm not very prone to seasickness, just feel a little "off" on the first sea day.  The rest of the week I'm fine.

[POA1]

Dramamine has a non-drowsy version. It's meclazine. Regular Dramamine is Dimenhydrinate. The latter can cause drowsiness.

 

When we first began sailing, the front desk gave out seasickness tablets. They don't anymore. (Hug a lawyer. They may have had something to do with it.)

[YourWorldWithBill]

6 hours ago, aliaschief said:

On our world voyage we have had some encounters with some 22-24 foot seas and I used a Eme Term wrist band that send electrical pulse to the brain which sends message to stomach.

Approved by FDA and is effective in 83% of people. People with pacemakers should not use.

I learned about the device when my daughter had morning sickness during her pregnancy and her Dr. told her to get one. It immediately stopped her nausea.

I have used it and have not had motion sickness.

We also bought the ErmTerm and DW will try it on our Baltic cruise in a week.

[RuthC]

12 hours ago, Hlitner said:

Our doctor friend once entertained our large dinner tables with tales of Transdermal Scop side effects.  The most amusing tale involved an elderly women found wandering a corridor, stark naked and hallucinating.

A confused woman is wandering around, stark naked, and hallucinating, and your word for that is 'amusing'? 

[FishyMom1967]

On 4/28/2024 at 9:20 AM, BigBee51 said:

Check Amazon in Canada. Generic over-the- counter Meclizine is considerably cheaper than Bonine. We start taking a day or so before the cruise and continue throughout the cruise. Twice a day with no side affects.

Amazon in Canada no longer carries Meclizine in any format.  I used to be able to order it, but just checked again now and it's no longer available. Had to have a friend pick some up in the US on her last trip.

[Haljo1935]

On 4/28/2024 at 6:04 AM, syesmar said:

Does anyone know if the front desk still provides complimentary Meclizine to seasick passengers?

They did on K'dam as recently as Jan this year, NS Dec 2023 and Eurodam May 2023.