Do Travel Sickness Tablets Calm You? Unpacking the Sedative Side Effects

October 10, 2025 •

3 min read

About 1 in 3 people are considered highly susceptible to motion sickness, a common issue for travelers [1.7.1]. Many wonder, 'Do travel sickness tablets calm you?' The answer lies in their primary ingredients and their effect on the central nervous system.

Quick Summary

Many travel sickness tablets induce a calming or drowsy state. This is because their active ingredients are often first-generation antihistamines that cross the blood-brain barrier, causing sedation as a primary side effect [1.2.4].

Key Points

Sedative Side Effect: The calming effect of many travel sickness tablets is primarily drowsiness, a side effect of their first-generation antihistamine ingredients [1.2.4].
Mechanism of Action: These drugs work by blocking histamine signals to the part of the brain that controls nausea and balance [1.3.1].
Common Ingredients: Dimenhydrinate and Meclizine are common OTC ingredients, with dimenhydrinate typically being more sedating [1.5.3].
Safety First: Due to drowsiness, you should not drive or drink alcohol after taking most travel sickness tablets [1.2.7].
Not for Anxiety: Using these medications for anxiety or sleep is an off-label use that carries risks and is not recommended [1.6.2].
Non-Drowsy Options: Alternatives like ginger-based tablets and behavioral techniques can help manage motion sickness without sedation [1.8.6, 1.8.2].
Consult a Professional: Always consult a healthcare provider to ensure you are choosing the right medication for your health condition and travel plans [1.2.7].

The Science of Motion Sickness

Motion sickness is a common disturbance of the inner ear that is caused by repeated motion [1.7.1]. It occurs when the brain receives conflicting signals from the inner ears, eyes, and other parts of the body that sense motion [1.3.1]. This sensory mismatch can lead to classic symptoms like dizziness, nausea, and vomiting [1.3.3]. While nearly everyone can experience motion sickness if the stimulus is strong enough, some individuals are more prone to it, including women and children between the ages of 3 and 12 [1.7.3].

How Travel Sickness Tablets Work

The most common over-the-counter (OTC) travel sickness medications belong to a class of drugs called first-generation antihistamines [1.3.4]. Medications like dimenhydrinate (Dramamine) and meclizine (Bonine) work by blocking histamine (H1) receptors in the brain [1.3.1]. By preventing histamine from activating the brain's vomiting center, these drugs effectively reduce or prevent the symptoms of motion sickness [1.3.4].

The Calming Effect: A Primary Side Effect

The primary reason people ask, 'Do travel sickness tablets calm you?' is because of their most common side effect: drowsiness or sedation [1.2.4]. The same mechanism that blocks nausea-inducing signals also affects alertness. First-generation antihistamines can cross the blood-brain barrier and affect the central nervous system, leading to feelings of drowsiness, dizziness, and reduced mental alertness [1.4.4, 1.2.6]. This sedative effect is so pronounced in some ingredients, like promethazine, that it is considered the most sedating option [1.4.1].

Comparison of Common Travel Sickness Medications

Different travel sickness tablets have varying active ingredients and levels of sedation. Understanding these differences can help you choose the right one for your journey.


Active Ingredient	Common Brand Names	Sedation Level	Key Characteristics
Dimenhydrinate	Dramamine Original	High	Fast-acting, typically taken every 4-6 hours. Strong sedative effects [1.5.3, 1.2.6].
Meclizine	Bonine, Dramamine Less Drowsy	Moderate	Longer-lasting (up to 24 hours), generally considered less drowsy than dimenhydrinate [1.5.3].
Cyclizine	Marezine, Bonine for Kids	Moderate to High	Effective, with slightly less sedation than dimenhydrinate [1.4.2]. Approved for children over 6 [1.4.2].
Promethazine	Phenergan (Prescription)	Very High	The most sedating option, often used for intense motion stimuli [1.4.1].
Ginger (Herbal)	Dramamine Non-Drowsy	None	A non-medicated, natural option that works by easing nausea without causing drowsiness [1.5.3, 1.8.6].

Can You Use Travel Sickness Tablets for Anxiety or Sleep?

Because of their sedative properties, some people misuse travel sickness tablets as a sleep aid or to self-medicate for anxiety [1.6.2]. While meclizine may help with dizziness associated with panic attacks, there is no evidence it decreases anxiety long-term [1.6.3]. Using these medications off-label for sleep or anxiety is not recommended and can be risky. Misuse can lead to increased side effects, potential for overdose, and even adverse mental health effects like paranoia or emotional instability [1.6.1, 1.6.2]. It is crucial to use these medications only as directed for motion sickness.

Important Safety Precautions

Due to the sedative effects, you must take precautions when using these medications:

Do not drive or operate heavy machinery until you know how the medicine affects you [1.2.7].
Avoid alcohol and other central nervous system depressants (like sedatives, tranquilizers, or sleeping pills), as they will amplify the drowsy effect [1.2.5, 1.2.7].
Consult a doctor or pharmacist before use, especially if you have conditions like glaucoma or are pregnant [1.2.4].

Drug-Free Alternatives for Motion Sickness

If you want to avoid medication, several alternatives may help prevent or reduce symptoms:

Behavioral Techniques: Sit in the front of a car, get fresh air, and focus your gaze on a fixed point on the horizon [1.8.2, 1.8.3].
Ginger: Consuming ginger in the form of capsules, tea, or candies has been shown to ease nausea [1.8.6].
Acupressure Bands: These wristbands apply pressure to a specific point on the wrist (the P6 point), which may help reduce nausea for some individuals [1.8.5].
Distraction: Listening to music or practicing breathing exercises can help distract you from the sensation of motion [1.8.4].

Conclusion

So, do travel sickness tablets calm you? Yes, many formulations do, but this calming sensation is actually sedation—a side effect of the antihistamines used to treat motion sickness [1.2.4]. While this drowsiness might be a welcome bonus for a traveler hoping to sleep through a long flight, it is not a treatment for anxiety and carries risks, such as impaired alertness [1.6.4]. For those needing to stay alert, less-drowsy or non-drowsy ginger-based formulas are better options [1.5.3]. Always read the label and consult with a healthcare professional to choose the safest and most effective option for your needs.

For more information from an authoritative source, you can visit the CDC's page on Motion Sickness.

Frequently Asked Questions

This is not recommended. While drowsiness is a common side effect, using these medications as a sleep aid is an off-label use and can have risks. You should only use them for their intended purpose of treating motion sickness [1.6.2].

No, it is generally unsafe. Most travel sickness tablets cause drowsiness and impair alertness. You should not drive or operate heavy machinery until you know how the medication affects you [1.2.7].

No. While many do, there are 'less drowsy' formulas containing meclizine and 'non-drowsy' options that typically use natural ingredients like ginger [1.5.3].

The duration depends on the active ingredient. Dimenhydrinate effects last 4-6 hours, while the less-drowsy meclizine can last up to 24 hours [1.5.3].

Some formulations are made specifically for children, but you must consult a doctor or pharmacist before giving any medication to a child. Dosages are age and weight-dependent [1.4.2, 1.5.3].

No. Alcohol will increase the sedative effects of the medication, leading to extreme drowsiness and impaired judgment. Combining them is dangerous [1.2.5, 1.2.7].

Effective drug-free alternatives include sitting where there is less motion (e.g., front of a car), getting fresh air, using acupressure wristbands, and consuming ginger [1.8.2, 1.8.3, 1.8.6].