Motion Sickness Medication for Kids

Have your kids ever tried traveling in a car or a bus and at the same time, reading a book? If yes, then at some point or the other they must have complained of feeling something wrong; let's say, things getting scrambled inside their head!

It's nothing but the effect of motion sickness. This phenomenon occurs when there is a mis-match between the signals which are sent to the brain by the eyes and the proprioception (special nerve endings in the muscles and tendons and other organs that respond to stimuli regarding the position and movement of the body), and that which is sent by the vestibular system (organs mediating the labyrinthine sense; concerned with equilibrium). Motion sickness is clinically known as kinetosis (the state of being dizzy or nauseated because of the motion that occurs while traveling in or on a moving vehicle). It is also referred to as travel sickness and depending upon the various causes, it may also be termed as seasickness, carsickness, airsickness, etc.

The different symptoms of kinetosis are nausea, headache and increased salivation. Cold sweats, paleness of the skin, vomiting, and fatigue may also crop up.

It is important that I remind you about the negative effects of self-medication. Children, at a tender age of theirs, are more vulnerable to severe side-effects of any kind of medication. So, it is wise to consult a pediatrician regarding the medication and the dosages.

Medications Given to Children to Manage Motion Sickness

Kids who are 2 - 12 years of age, must be administered with dimenhydrinate, 1 - 1.5 mg/kg per dose for providing relief from the symptoms of kinetosis. Alternative to this, another medicine that can be used to manage motion sickness in kids include 0.5 - 1 mg/kg per dose up to 25 mg of diphenhydramine. These medicines may be given an hour before the journey and after every 6 hours whilst traveling. Bonine is also a recommended medicine for the same. It must be taken 1 hour prior to travel or indulging in any activity that may cause kinetosis. It is, however, not recommended for kids below 12 years.

In some cases, it has been noticed that, these motion sickness medications might inflict agitation which is paradoxical by nature. So, it is better to perform a test of the medication, before starting the journey.

Medicines such as prochlorperazine and metoclopramide, if administered, should be done with extreme precaution and again, after consulting a physician!

Some suggest that antihistamines should be the only drugs to be used for children. However, some contradict this notion and claims that the drug is not Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved for its use of treatment of motion sickness in children. So, to be on a safer side, seek advice from a physician, pharmacist, or other health-care professional about the required use of these drugs.

To conclude, advice your kids to sit facing forward. Remind them to avoid sitting in a seat which faces backward, and avoid facing backwards while sitting. Encourage them to look outside the moving car and view objects as far as possible. The horizon is a good view in order to prevent kinetosis while traveling in a boat or a ship and while on a flight. Acquiring a place in the middle of a car, plane or a ship also aids in reducing the tendency of this problem. This is due to the least amount of movement at the central position. Following these simple preventive steps may help manage motion sickness without the need of any medication. Take care!

Disclaimer - the information provided in this article is solely meant for informative purpose, and does not, in any way, intends to substitute or replace a professional medical advice.