Ear, nose and throat
Medicines for Motion sickness
Nausea and unwellness brought on by travel, caused by a mismatch between what the eyes see and what the inner ear senses — usually harmless and often prevented by simple measures or antihistamines taken before setting off.
Education and reference only. This explains which medicines are used and why, in plain language — it deliberately contains no doses and is not a substitute for advice from your doctor or pharmacist. Always discuss your own treatment with a qualified clinician, and check the BNF and the product labelling for prescribing detail.
Quick answer
What is Motion sickness?
Motion sickness, sometimes called travel sickness, sea sickness or car sickness, happens when the brain receives conflicting signals about movement. The balance organs of the inner ear sense that the body is moving — in a car, boat, plane or train — while the eyes, perhaps fixed on a book or the inside of a vehicle, report that everything is still.
- How it is treated: Most motion sickness can be eased or prevented without medicine, and simple measures are the first thing to try.
- Self-care: Looking out at the horizon or a fixed point in the distance, sitting where movement is felt least — the front seat of a car, over the wing of a plane or mid-ship on a boat — and getting plenty of fresh air all help.
- When to seek help: Motion sickness is usually harmless and settles once the journey ends, so it rarely needs medical attention.
What it is
Motion sickness, sometimes called travel sickness, sea sickness or car sickness, happens when the brain receives conflicting signals about movement. The balance organs of the inner ear sense that the body is moving — in a car, boat, plane or train — while the eyes, perhaps fixed on a book or the inside of a vehicle, report that everything is still. This mismatch unsettles the part of the brain that controls balance and can trigger nausea, sometimes building to vomiting, along with sweating, paleness, increased saliva, dizziness, headache and a general feeling of being unwell. It is very common, especially in children, and tends to ease once the journey ends. It is not a sign of any underlying illness and is usually more of an unpleasant nuisance than a danger, though it can make travel miserable. Knowing what brings it on makes it easier to prevent.
How it is treated
Most motion sickness can be eased or prevented without medicine, and simple measures are the first thing to try. Where these are not enough, medicines can help, and they work best when taken before the journey starts rather than once symptoms have already begun. Antihistamines are the usual choice for preventing travel sickness and are widely available, while an alternative medicine called hyoscine can also be used to prevent symptoms. For longer journeys or for people who are badly affected, these can make travel far more comfortable. Because some of these medicines can cause drowsiness, this is worth keeping in mind, particularly for anyone who will need to drive or stay alert. A pharmacist can advise on the most suitable option, including for children, and on combining medicine with the practical measures that reduce the sensory mismatch in the first place.
For this condition, these medicines
Medicine classes used for Motion sickness
Each links to a full, dose-free guide — what it is, how it works, who can and cannot use it, side effects, interactions and FAQs.
Symptom checker
Symptoms that can point to Motion sickness
Motion sickness can be one cause of these symptoms. Each guide explains the other possible causes and the red-flag warning signs that mean you should get urgent help:
Beyond medication
Lifestyle and self-care
Looking out at the horizon or a fixed point in the distance, sitting where movement is felt least — the front seat of a car, over the wing of a plane or mid-ship on a boat — and getting plenty of fresh air all help. It is best to avoid reading, screens and sitting facing backwards, to take breaks on long journeys, and to travel after a light meal rather than on a very full or completely empty stomach. Staying calm and distracted, for example with music, can also reduce symptoms.
When to get help
When to see a doctor
Motion sickness is usually harmless and settles once the journey ends, so it rarely needs medical attention. Speak to a pharmacist for advice on preventing it, including suitable options for children, if simple measures are not enough or if it regularly spoils travel. See your GP if you have repeated or severe vomiting that leaves you dehydrated, or if dizziness, a spinning sensation or feeling off balance happens when you are not travelling at all, as this points to something other than motion sickness and should be assessed. Sudden severe dizziness with a headache, problems speaking, weakness or changes in your hearing or vision needs urgent medical attention.
Not sure how urgent it is? It is always OK to call NHS 111 for advice, day or night.
Answers
Motion sickness: frequently asked questions
What medicines are used for motion sickness?
The usual medicines are antihistamines, such as cinnarizine or promethazine, taken before a journey to prevent travel sickness. An alternative is a medicine called hyoscine, which can also be used to prevent symptoms. They all work best taken in advance rather than once you already feel sick. Some can cause drowsiness, so they are best avoided if you need to drive or stay fully alert, and a pharmacist can recommend the most suitable option, including for children. Alongside medicine, simple measures such as looking at the horizon and getting fresh air make a real difference.
Why do I only feel sick when reading in the car?
Because reading sets up exactly the kind of conflicting signals that cause motion sickness. While you read, your eyes are fixed on a still page and tell your brain that nothing is moving, but the balance organs in your inner ear feel the car moving. The brain struggles to reconcile these mixed messages, which triggers the nausea. Looking up and out at the road or the horizon lets your eyes confirm the movement your inner ear senses, which usually settles the feeling — so it helps to put the book or screen away on bumpy journeys.
How can I prevent travel sickness without medicine?
Several simple measures help. Look out at the horizon or a fixed point ahead rather than at a book or screen, and sit where movement is felt least — the front of a car, over the wing of a plane or mid-ship on a boat. Get plenty of fresh air, take regular breaks on long trips, and travel after a light meal rather than on a very full or empty stomach. Avoiding reading and facing forwards rather than backwards also help. Staying relaxed and distracted, for example with music, can reduce symptoms too, and these steps work well alongside medicine if needed.
Is motion sickness ever a sign of something serious?
Motion sickness itself is harmless and simply reflects how your brain handles the conflicting signals of travel; it eases once the journey is over and is not a sign of an underlying illness. What does deserve attention is dizziness, a spinning sensation or feeling off balance that happens when you are not travelling at all, as this points to a different cause that should be checked. Likewise, sudden severe dizziness with a headache, slurred speech, weakness or changes in hearing or vision needs urgent assessment. For ordinary travel sickness, though, there is no need for concern.
Sources
Where this is drawn from
- NICE CKS: Motion sickness.
- NICE CKS: Motion sickness.
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