Both drugs belong to a drug class calledantihistamines.
Antihistamines prevent and treat symptoms associated with motion sickness, such asnausea,vomiting, anddizziness.
As a result of this discrepancy, nausea, vomiting, or dizziness can occur.
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Motion sickness can occur in a car, boat, or motor vehicle.
The brain senses movement by receiving signals from your inner eyes, ears, and joints.
Motion sickness can occur when these signals conflict and do not match.
Some factors that may increase the chances of experiencing motion sickness include:
What Is Bonine?
Bonine is an OTC medication that contains the active ingredient meclizine.
Bonine is a chewable tablet approved for adults and children 12 and older.
Children under 12 shouldnt be given Bonine without consulting a pediatrician or other healthcare professional.
Healthcare providers may prescribe Antivert for other conditions that cause dizziness, such asvertigo.
Besides motion sickness, Bonine may be used more broadly for itsantiemetic (anti-nausea)effects.
How Does Bonine Work?
Bonine works to prevent symptoms of motion sickness byblocking histaminereceptors.
When histamine binds to specific receptors, vomiting (emesis) can occur.
It takes about an hour to start working.
Bonine is typically taken once a day; meclizines anti-nausea effects last up to 24 hours.
What Is Dramamine?
Oral Dramamine is an over-the-counter (OTC) medication that contains the active ingredient dimenhydrinate.
The FDA approves Dramamine to relieve nausea, vomiting, and dizziness because of motion sickness.
OTC Dramamine comes in two forms of administration: a swallow tablet and a chewable tablet.
And this drug is approved for adults and children 2 and older.
Healthcare providers may also recommend Dramamine to treat or prevent nausea and vomiting from other causes.
Note that different versions of Dramamine are available.
Brand-name products like Dramamine for Kids and Dramamine Original contain dimenhydrinate.
In addition, a non-drowsy version of Dramamine is also available.
It contains ginger and does not contain an antihistamine ingredient.
Be sure to read the product labels or consult a pharmacist to help find the product youre looking for.
Finally, like Bonine, a generic version of Dramamine exists.
How Does Dramamine Work?
Like Bonine, Dramamine blocks histamine receptors in the body, resulting in anti-nausea effects.
Dramamine starts working within 30 to 60 minutes.
You should take it half an hour to an hour before travel or other motion-sickness-causing activity.
Each dose lasts between four to eight hours.
Unlike Bonine, Dramamine may be taken multiple times throughout the day if needed.
Bonine and Dramamine should be taken as directed, meaning you shouldn’t take more than what is recommended.
Additionally, be aware that the chewable tablets may be chewed or swallowed whole.
Few studies directly compare Bonine vs. Dramamine.
The researchers confirmed that both drugs effectively increased a persons resistance to motion sickness.
The researchers did not recommend either drug for severely intense motion.
Likewise, neither drug was found to be effectiveaftermotion sickness already developed.
Taking Bonine or Dramamine when you already feel carsick is not as effective as taking it beforehand.
Dimenhydrinate starts working as soon as 30 minutes after you take it.
This is a bit faster than meclizine, which requires about an hour to take effect.
However, dimenhydrinates anti-nausea effects wear off faster.
Dimenhydrinate lasts four to eight hours, while meclizine lasts up to 24 hours.
The details of the situation may determine which medication is a better option.
Talk to a pharmacist or healthcare provider for assistance choosing the best option to prevent motion sickness.
However, Dramamine (dimenhydrinate) typically causes more severe drowsiness than Bonine (meclizine).
Precautions
Bonine and Dramamine may not be safe for individuals with certain medical conditions.
They can help determine if these medications are safe for you.
Potential for Interaction
Dramamine and Bonine can cause drowsiness.
This side effect can be worsened if either drug is taken with other medications or substances that cause drowsiness.
Dramamine contains dimenhydrinate, which starts working more quickly but causes more drowsiness.
Bonine contains meclizine, which provides long-lasting effects and is associated with less drowsiness.
They are both effective for preventing symptoms of nausea, vomiting, or dizziness if taken early enough.
Taking either drug up to an hour before starting the activity that triggers motion sickness is essential.
Frequently Asked Questions
Bonine and Dramamine require no special storage considerations while traveling.
There isnt much of a cost difference between Bonine and Dramamine.
Dizziness can sometimes indicate a problem with the inner ear, which helps control balance.
Talk to a healthcare provider if motion sickness medications and other methods arent helping.
They will check for other possible causes.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.CDC Yellow Book 2024: motion sickness.
DailyMed.Label: Bonine- meclizine hydrochloride tablet, chewable.
DailyMed.Label: Meclizine 25- meclizine hydrochloride tablet, chewable.
DailyMed.Label: Antivert- meclizine hcl tablet Antivert- meclizine hcl tablet Antivert- meclizine hcl tablet, chewable.
National Institute of Diabetes, Digestive, and Kidney Diseases.Antiemetic agents.Liver Tox.2018.
DailyMed.Label: Dramamine for Kids- dimenhydrinate tablet, chewable.
DailyMed.Label: Dramamine original formula- dimenhydrinate tablet.
DailyMed.Label: Dramamine Less Drowsy- meclizine hydrochloride tablet.
Prestige Consumer Healthcare.Dramamine products.
DailyMed.Label: Dimennhydrinate tablet.
DailyMed.Label: Dramamine- dimenhydrinate tablet, chewable.
