Key takeaways:
Several medications can help with nausea from motion sickness. Motion sickness pills are available over-the-counter (OTC), while motion sickness patches require a prescription.
OTC motion sickness pills typically contain an antihistamine, such as dimenhydrinate (Dramamine) and meclizine (Bonine). Prescription scopolamine patches (Transderm Scop) contain an anticholinergic medication.
Studies suggest that scopolamine patches work just as well as dimenhydrinate, but better than meclizine. They tend to be less sedating than antihistamines, but they also take longer to work. Scopolamine patches last 3 days, while oral pills require more frequent doses.
There are ways to save on your motion sickness medications. GoodRx can help make your medication more affordable with a prescription from a healthcare professional.
Save on related medications
Not everyone gets motion sickness. But if you do, it can quickly ruin a cruise or road trip. Luckily, there are options available to help nip motion sickness symptoms in the bud. But should you go with over-the-counter (OTC) motion sickness pills or prescription motion sickness patches? There are a few key details to consider before you make your choice.
1. Motion sickness pills and patches contain different ingredients
OTC motion sickness pills typically contain first-generation antihistamines. They were originally approved for allergy symptoms, but they can also help with motion sickness.
Examples of OTC motion sickness pills include:
Dimenhydrinate (Dramamine)
Meclizine (Bonine, Dramamine Less Drowsy)
Diphenhydramine (Benadryl)
Antihistamine motion sickness pills are thought to work by blocking two chemicals in the brain — histamine and acetylcholine. These chemicals are involved in activating the vomiting center in your brain. Blocking them can help prevent nausea and motion sickness. But keep in mind that newer antihistamines, such as cetirizine (Zyrtec), won’t help with motion sickness.
The prescription motion sickness patch, scopolamine (Transderm Scop), is an anticholinergic medication. These types of medications treat a variety of conditions, such as asthma, overactive bladder, and Parkinson’s disease.
Scopolamine patches are thought to work by blocking acetylcholine. Blocking this chemical helps prevent the vomiting center in your brain from being activated — which in turn helps prevent nausea.
2. OTC motion sickness pills work faster, but prescription patches last longer
To prevent motion sickness symptoms, you’ll usually take an OTC motion sickness pill 30 to 60 minutes before the triggering activity. Dimenhydrinate and diphenhydramine only last a few hours. So you’ll need to take several doses (every 4 to 6 hours) for all-day coverage. Meclizine lasts longer, so 1 dose should last most of the day. Since they start working quickly, OTC motion sickness tablets are a helpful option for short-term or as-needed relief.
If you want to use a scopolamine patch, you can apply one behind your ear at least 4 hours before the triggering activity. But once you’ve applied a patch, it lasts for up to 3 days. This makes the patch a helpful option for long-term relief, such as on a cruise. But it’s less useful for as-needed relief.
3. Motion sickness pills and patches have similar side effects
OTC motion sickness pills and prescription motion sickness patches both block acetylcholine, which can cause a few shared side effects:
Drowsiness
Dizziness
Blurred vision
Trouble peeing
Headache
Getting risk of motion sickness: Here are several ways to feel better fast if motion sickness sets in.
How to use a scopolamine patch: These pharmacist-backed tips can help you get the most from your scopolamine patch (Tranderm-Scop) and use it safely.
What should you keep on hand if you’re prone to seasickness? We asked a sailor what he recommends for keeping seasickness at bay.
You may be more likely to feel drowsy with motion sickness pills than with the patch. In fact, several of the same antihistamines are also found in OTC sleep aids. Dimenhydrinate may cause less drowsiness compared to diphenhydramine. And meclizine may cause the least amount of drowsiness of the three.
Scopolamine patches may be more likely to cause dry mouth and dizziness.
It’s a good idea to avoid activities that require you to be alert while taking motion sickness medication until you know how it affects you. Even “less-drowsy” options can affect some people more than others. And side effects like drowsiness and blurred vision can make it dangerous to drive if you’re on a road or boat trip.
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4. OTC motion sickness pills may be more convenient that prescription patches
Since you can purchase them OTC, it’s often easier to get motion sickness pills — especially while you’re traveling.
Since scopolamine patches require a prescription, they typically require you to plan ahead so you have them on hand when you need them. This can present a challenge, especially if you’re traveling outside your state or overseas. But keep in mind that options such as telehealth or a walk-in clinic can help you get a prescription while traveling.
So which is better: OTC motion sickness pills or prescription patches?
Studies suggest that scopolamine patches work just as well as dimenhydrinate. And they may work better than meclizine. But the best motion sickness medication for you likely depends on a few factors, such as convenience (OTC vs. prescription), dosing frequency, and side effects. You should also consider drug interactions and your medical history.
The chart below summarizes the key differences to consider between OTC pills versus prescription patches.
Motion Sickness Pills | Motion Sickness Patches | |
Onset | Start working within 30 to 60 minutes | Can take up to 4 hours to start working |
Dose frequency | Meclizine: once daily Other antihistamines: every 4 to 6 hours | One patch every 3 days |
Side effects | More likely to cause drowsiness | More likely to cause dry mouth and dizziness |
Accessibility | Available OTC | Requires a prescription |
Drug interactions | Shouldn’t be combined with other antihistamines | May not be safe to combine with other anticholinergic medications |
Keep in mind that both types of motion sickness medications may worsen health conditions such as glaucoma, an enlarged prostate, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Talk to your healthcare team about options that are safest for you based on your medical history.
Does Zofran work for motion sickness?
No, ondansetron (Zofran) is not effective for treating or preventing nausea related to motion sickness. It’s only approved for preventing nausea and vomiting due to chemotherapy or surgery.
Also, as mentioned above, not all antihistamines are effective for motion sickness symptoms either. This includes newer antihistamine pills, referred to as second- and third-generation antihistamines. They’re typically used to treat allergy symptoms. Examples of these include:
Cetirizine
Desloratadine (Clarinex)
Fexofenadine (Allegra)
Levocetirizine (Xyzal)
Loratadine (Claritin)
These antihistamines are less sedating than first-generation options. That’s because they have less of an effect on your brain, which may be why they don’t prevent nausea.
How to save on motion sickness medications
Motion sickness pills are available OTC. GoodRx can help you save with free discounts. However, you’ll need a prescription from a healthcare professional to use them.
GoodRx can also help you save on scopolamine patches, which are available as brand-name and generic products. You can save over 50% off the average retail price of the generic version. Generic scopolamine’s price at certain pharmacies is as low as $30.46 with a free GoodRx discount.
Frequently asked questions
Ginger-based beverages may help reduce motion sickness for some people. But it’s best to avoid a large volume of liquid, as well as caffeine and alcohol, before the triggering activity. Too much of them can make motion sickness worse.
In theory, it may be possible to stop motion sickness through a desensitization program. But these are typically reserved for people such as military pilots and astronauts who are unable to take anti-nausea medications. That’s because they can take many weeks to take effect. In most cases, your body will adjust to motion sickness on its own within 24 to 72 hours. So in the meantime, medications and other interventions are your best bet to keep your symptoms at bay.
Yes, motion sickness wristbands can help relieve nausea. But they aren’t effective for everyone. These wristbands are thought to work by putting pressure on a specific point in your wrist — a method known as acupressure. Just be sure to follow the instructions to ensure you place the wristband in the correct position. You can also combine acupressure bands with medication, if needed.
Ginger-based beverages may help reduce motion sickness for some people. But it’s best to avoid a large volume of liquid, as well as caffeine and alcohol, before the triggering activity. Too much of them can make motion sickness worse.
In theory, it may be possible to stop motion sickness through a desensitization program. But these are typically reserved for people such as military pilots and astronauts who are unable to take anti-nausea medications. That’s because they can take many weeks to take effect. In most cases, your body will adjust to motion sickness on its own within 24 to 72 hours. So in the meantime, medications and other interventions are your best bet to keep your symptoms at bay.
Yes, motion sickness wristbands can help relieve nausea. But they aren’t effective for everyone. These wristbands are thought to work by putting pressure on a specific point in your wrist — a method known as acupressure. Just be sure to follow the instructions to ensure you place the wristband in the correct position. You can also combine acupressure bands with medication, if needed.
The bottom line
Motion sickness can be a bummer when traveling or trying to enjoy your vacation. There are steps you can take to prevent symptoms from happening. But if you wait until you feel sick, it may be too late for medications to help.
To prevent nausea from motion sickness, you can apply a scopolamine patch behind your ear 4 hours before you anticipate getting sick. Or you can take an over-the-counter (OTC) nausea medication about an hour before.
The patches are less sedating and work for up to 3 days. But they’re only available with a prescription. OTC motion sickness pills can be a more convenient option. Dimenhydrinate may work just as well as the patches, but it can make you sleepy.
Keep in mind that your other medications and health conditions may affect which nausea medication is best for you. Your prescriber or pharmacist can help you navigate your options.
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References
Brainard, A., et al. (2014). Prevention and treatment of motion sickness. American Family Physician.
Bryant Ranch Prepack. (2025). Scopolamine transdermal system- scopolamine transdermal system patch, extended release [package insert].
Cheung, B. S., et al. (2003). Failure of cetirizine and fexofenadine to prevent motion sickness. Annals of Pharmacotherapy.
Leung, A. K. C., et al. (2019). Motion sickness: An overview. Drugs in Context.
MedlinePlus. (2023). Nausea and acupressure.
Miller, K. E., et al. (2004). Efficacy of acupressure and acustimulation bands for the prevention of motion sickness.
Patel, P. N., et al. (2011). Meclizine: Safety and efficacy in the treatment and prevention of motion sickness. Clinical Medicine Insights: Therapeutics.
Sutton, M., et al. (2012). Treatment of motion sickness. American Family Physician.
Takov, V., et al. (2023). Motion sickness. StatPearls.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2021). Over-the-counter (OTC) monograph M009: Antiemetic drug products for over-the-counter human use.
