Motion Sickness Medication for Kids

Children often get motion sickness while riding in a car, boat, train, plane or amusement park ride. Parents and caregivers have several choices of medication for treating their child's motion sickness.

Scopolamine

• Scopolamine is the most effective medication for motion sickness and lasts for up to three days. Scopolamine is a doctor-prescribed patch that is placed behind the ear. Children under the age of 10 should not use this medication.

Promethazine

• Promethazine can last for six to eight hours and is doctor-prescribed. Promethazine is slightly less effective than scopolamine. This medication can be taken by children ages two and older.

Dimenhydrinate

• Dimenhydrinate, more commonly known as Dramamine, appears to be the most effective over-the-counter motion sickness medication. Dimenhydrinate can last for six to eight hours and often causes drowsiness. This medication can be taken by children ages two and older.

Cyclizine

• Cyclizine is an over-the-counter medication that can last for four to six hours. Cyclizine is less effective than dimenhydrinate, but does not cause as much drowsiness. This medication can be taken by children over the age of five.

Meclizine

• Meclizine is an over-the-counter medication that can last for 12 to 24 hours. Like dimenhydrinate, meclizine can cause drowsiness. This medication should not be used by children younger than 12. This is the main ingredient in the Dramamine Less Drowsy formula.