Should I Use Dramamine or Scopolamine for Motion Sickness?

Motion sickness is a feeling of unwellness caused by movement. You may have felt it before when riding in a car or while sitting in an airplane or boat. It can even happen on amusement park rides or during virtual reality experiences. 

In many cases, motion sickness can completely ruin your plans for a day out. Fortunately, there are a few medications you can take to prevent motion sickness from happening at all. Some medications can also treat motion sickness symptoms if you develop them. 

Dramamine and scopolamine are two of these medications, and they’re often go-to options for helping with motion sickness symptoms. But is one a better option than the other?

Here, we’ll learn more about these two medications to help you decide if one of them may be the right fit for you.

What causes motion sickness?

Your brain senses movement by getting signals from your eyes, inner ears, and sensory receptors (chemical binding sites) in your joints and muscles.

Motion sickness is a mismatch between what you see and what you feel. For example, if you’re riding in a car and your body doesn’t know if it’s moving or the car is moving, this could make you feel sick. 

Motion sickness can take you by surprise with cold sweats and nausea. You may feel fine one moment, but then suddenly experience dizziness, headache, and vomiting.

How do I use Dramamine for motion sickness?

Dramamine (dimenhydrinate) is an oral tablet medication that’s available without a prescription. It’s a type of antihistamine. It’s available as both a brand-name and generic medication. 

If you’re looking to prevent motion sickness, consider taking this medication by mouth with a glass of water 30 minutes to 1 hour before you travel or are exposed to a situation that would cause motion sickness. But before using this medication or giving it to a child, it’s recommended to talk to a healthcare provider for specific guidance and dosing instructions. 

How do I use a scopolamine patch for motion sickness?

Scopolamine (Transderm Scop) is a topical medication patch that’s available with a prescription. It’s a type of anticholinergic medication. It’s also available as both a brand-name and generic medication. The medication is used to help prevent nausea and vomiting associated with motion sickness. It’s not usually used to treat motion sickness.

If your healthcare provider has prescribed a scopolamine patch to help prevent motion sickness, follow these five tips to get the most out of your treatment:

1) Apply one scopolamine patch behind the hairless area of your ear at least 4 hours before you expect to have motion sickness (before a car, boat, or plane ride). If you have long hair, it is a good idea to tie up your hair so that the patch doesn’t get stuck to your hair.

2) Switch to a new patch if treatment is needed for longer than 3 days. When switching to a new patch, make sure to remove the used one first before putting on a new patch. 

3) Fold the used patch so the sticky side comes together and throw it away in the trash bin where children or pets can’t reach it.

4) Don’t cut, bend, or fold the patch before using it. This can affect how the patch works.

5) Avoid touching your eyes until you have washed your hands with soap and water after touching a new or used patch. Medication from the patch can cause you to get blurry vision.

Scopolamine patches should only be used by adults. Avoid giving scopolamine patches to children due to potentially dangerous side effects, like hallucinations and blurry vision.

How effective are Dramamine and scopolamine patches?

Dramamine and scopolamine patches are only partially effective for treating motion sickness and may have undesirable side effects. 

However, they’re more effective for preventing motion sickness — so they should be given in advance. When used before travel or another activity that may lead to motion sickness, these medications can help prevent you from developing symptoms. 

Dramamine and scopolamine are also more effective when combined with the following non-medication-based changes:

• Avoiding caffeine, alcohol, and smoking

• Avoiding eating large or filling meals

• Staying hydrated while traveling

• Traveling when well-rested

• Stopping for rest breaks during travel, if possible

• Avoiding reading or watching a video screen in a moving environment

• Sitting in a front seat rather than a back seat or operate the vehicle if it’s an option

• Focusing your eyes on a fixed spot during your travel

• Minimizing your head and body movement during travel

• Controlling your breathing

Your healthcare provider may suggest Dramamine or scopolamine if you have experienced motion sickness in the past or if you don’t respond to behavioral or environmental changes mentioned above. 

But the type of medication recommended for you will depend on your history of motion sickness. It will also depend on the length of your expected exposure to motion (i.e, how long you’ll be traveling for).  

Which is better at preventing motion sickness: Dramamine or scopolamine patches?

One isn’t necessarily better than the other. Scopolamine patches are as effective as Dramamine at preventing motion sickness. 

And in general, both scopolamine and Dramamine are well-tolerated. Dry mouth, drowsiness, and blurry vision are common side effects. However, a small study suggested that scopolamine may be more likely to cause symptoms of dry mouth than Dramamine.

But there’s more to consider than just effectiveness and side effects. Accessibility also plays a role. 

Unlike Dramamine, scopolamine patches aren’t available over-the-counter (OTC). You’ll need a prescription from your healthcare provider. But scopolamine is a convenient patch that lasts for 3 days. If you’d rather not take a pill, a scopolamine patch may be an easier option. Dramamine is a tablet that will need to be taken more frequently depending on your age and symptoms.

How to save on Dramamine and scopolamine

Dramamine and scopolamine are available as brand-name medications. But you can also find them as lower-cost generics. GoodRx can help you navigate ways to save on your prescription.

• Save with GoodRx. GoodRx can help you save over 37% and 70% off the average retail price of the generic versions of Dramamine and scopolamine, respectively. Generic Dramamine’s price at certain pharmacies is less than $6 with a free GoodRx discount. Generic scopolamine’s price at certain pharmacies is less than $22 with a free GoodRx discount.

What’s more, Dramamine is widely available OTC. The average retail price is about $8, but specific prices vary by location. 

How long does it take Dramamine or scopolamine patches to work?

Dramamine takes about 1 hour to start working. This is why you want to take it at least 30 minutes to 1 hour before doing any activity that can cause motion sickness.

Scopolamine takes a bit longer to start working — about 4 hours. This is why you want to put the patch on at least 4 hours before doing any activity that can cause motion sickness. You should follow the directions on your prescription label and ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist to explain any part you don’t understand.

Can you take Dramamine and use a motion sickness patch together?

You should avoid taking Dramamine and using a scopolamine patch together. Using Dramamine together with scopolamine may increase the following side effects:

• Drowsiness

• Dizziness

• Confusion

• Blurry vision

• Dry mouth

• Constipation (having fewer than normal bowel movements)

Do any other medications or supplements treat motion sickness?

In addition to Dramamine, other antihistamines may also be used to treat motion sickness. They’re commonly used to treat allergies, but they can also help prevent motion sickness. This includes the following:

• Chlorpheniramine

• Diphenhydramine (Benadryl)

• Meclizine — this is the active ingredient in Dramamine Less Drowsy

• Promethazine

And like all medications, these antihistamines can have side effects. Common side effects are similar to Dramamine, and include drowsiness, dry mouth, and dizziness. 

Ginger is a natural supplement used for nausea and vomiting, but some studies show it may help with motion sickness. However, most studies for motion sickness haven’t shown it helpful. More research is needed to understand how it works for motion sickness. 

If you’re interested in these other medications and supplements, it’s recommended to talk to a pharmacist or healthcare provider for more information. They can tell you more about them, including how they stack up to Dramamine or scopolamine.  

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Written by:

Nikki Javit, PharmD

Nikki Javit, PharmD, is a clinical pharmacist with certifications in international travel medicine, immunization delivery, and pharmacogenomics. She received her bachelor’s of science in biology from Indiana University Bloomington and her doctor of pharmacy degree from Butler University.

Edited by:

Joshua Murdock, PharmD, BCBBS

Joshua Murdock, PharmD, BCBBS, is a licensed pharmacist in Arizona, Colorado, and Rhode Island. He has worked in the pharmacy industry for more than 10 years and currently serves as a pharmacy editor for GoodRx.

Reviewed by:

Christina Aungst, PharmD

Christina Aungst, PharmD, is a pharmacy editor for GoodRx. She began writing for GoodRx Health in 2019, transitioning from freelance writer to editor in 2021.

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