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Suggest Treatment For Withdrawal Symptoms After Discontinuing Transdermal Patch
Question: I will be taking a 12 day Mediterranean Cruise this summer. I am 59 years old. I suffer from motion and sea sickness when on a ship, ferry & sometimes in a car. I have used a transdermal patch behind my ear but never longer than 1 or 2 days. The patch works great/no side effects. I have used Meclizine for shorter periods (2-6 hrs.)/no side effects. I'm VERY concerned about some people have withdrawal (?) symptoms or side effects after discontinuing the patch. I'm thinking of taking meclizine when needed on the ship for shot periods and then switching to the patch only when the ship is out to sea (i.e., not when are traveling from port to port along the coast of Spain, Italy and Turkey. Since there is no great time to have withdrawal symptoms/on my flight home or after I arrive home & should be at my office), I am hesitant to use the patch consecutively for all 12 days of my cruise. Will also discuss with my regular doctor (internist). Should I see a specialist other than an internist?
Brief Answer:
detailed below.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Welcome to Healthcare Magic.
I read carefully your query and understand your concern.
I can understand how terrible can be having motion sickness and not being able to enjoy traveling .
Transdermal scopolamine can be really effective for preventing motion sickness symptoms.You can use it every 3 days for the whole travel but the risk of experiencing withdrawal symptoms once wearing off the patch should be taken in consideration.
An option is to use transdermal patch until you get home and if you experience withdrawal symptoms you can try Meclizine to treat them.
Another option is to use the transdermal patch for short periods of time like 1-2 patch because the possibility to experience withdrawal symptoms increases if you use it for longer time.
You should not take both these medication on the same time.So when you put the patch keep it for three days and during these days avoid other treatments for motion sickness.
Another option is to take Meclizine once every 24 hours to prevent motion sickness.If this doesn't work for you,then try the transdermal scopolamine patch.
You can consult your general physician or internist to find the most appropriate option treatment for you.
There is no need to consult any specialist.
Hope it helps.
Let me know if you have any other question or doubt to clarify.
Kind regards,
Dr.Rovena Murati
detailed below.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Welcome to Healthcare Magic.
I read carefully your query and understand your concern.
I can understand how terrible can be having motion sickness and not being able to enjoy traveling .
Transdermal scopolamine can be really effective for preventing motion sickness symptoms.You can use it every 3 days for the whole travel but the risk of experiencing withdrawal symptoms once wearing off the patch should be taken in consideration.
An option is to use transdermal patch until you get home and if you experience withdrawal symptoms you can try Meclizine to treat them.
Another option is to use the transdermal patch for short periods of time like 1-2 patch because the possibility to experience withdrawal symptoms increases if you use it for longer time.
You should not take both these medication on the same time.So when you put the patch keep it for three days and during these days avoid other treatments for motion sickness.
Another option is to take Meclizine once every 24 hours to prevent motion sickness.If this doesn't work for you,then try the transdermal scopolamine patch.
You can consult your general physician or internist to find the most appropriate option treatment for you.
There is no need to consult any specialist.
Hope it helps.
Let me know if you have any other question or doubt to clarify.
Kind regards,
Dr.Rovena Murati
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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