Avomine (Promethazine)

Promethazine is a treatment for travel sickness. It prevents and treats symptoms felt when travelling, making your journey more comfortable.

As well as motion sickness, it can treat several other conditions, including:

• hay fever
• skin allergies (hives)
• acute sleep problems (insomnia)
• cold symptoms (coughing and runny nose)
• vertigo

Promethazine is available in several brands, including Phenergan and Sominex. However, for motion sickness, it is available as Avomine.

You can buy Avomine tablets over the counter, on prescription or online here at euroClinix.

The main benefit of Avomine is that it can be used for both long and short journeys. It can also be used across various modes of transport. Whether you’re travelling by car, boat, train or plane, Avomine will effectively prevent symptoms.

It also works if you experience motion sickness not related to travel, such as roller coasters or virtual reality (VR) games.

While suitable for most adults, some people should be cautious whilst taking this medicine.

Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you have:

• a breathing problem like bronchitis or asthma
• a condition that causes seizures (e.g. epilepsy)
• a fast or irregular heartbeat
• stomach problems
• glaucoma (a build-up of fluid in the eye)
• kidney or liver problems
• severe heart disease
• bladder problems (e.g. urinary retention)

You should also check with your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Motion sickness happens when what you’re seeing conflicts with the balance perceptions from the inner ear. Your brain will recognise that you are moving but that your body is still. This conflict between the senses causes symptoms.

Promethazine has an anti-sickness (anti-emetic) effect. It targets the part of the brain called the vomiting centre. More specifically, it prevents nerve messages from being sent from the inner ear to the vomiting centre. When taken before or during a journey, this treats motion sickness.

Avomine is available as a 25mg dose. It is rare to need more than one tablet in 8 hours, but you can take up to 4 tablets per day. Do not take more than 4 tablets in a day. You should also not take it for more than 7 days, even if you’re not exceeding the daily dose.

Your dosage will depend on whether you’re treating or preventing motion sickness.

Prevention of travel sickness

• Before a long journey - take one tablet the night before you travel and for each night you are travelling.
• Before a short journey - take one tablet 1 - 2 hours before you travel.

Treatment of travel sickness

When you start to experience symptoms, take one tablet. The same evening, take a second tablet at bedtime. Then, take a third tablet the following evening before bed.

You can take an additional tablet to prevent motion sickness if you’re travelling again, but do not exceed the maximum daily dose.

As with all prescription medicines, Avomine can cause side effects. For most people, side effects are mild and go away by themselves.

The most common side effects of Avomine are drowsiness and blurred vision. Do not drive or use heavy machinery until you know how it affects you. This medicine can also make you sensitive to sunlight. Protect your skin and avoid the sunlight whilst taking it.

Other common side effects include:

• anxiety or restlessness
• dizziness
• sleepiness
• constipation or diarrhoea
• loss of appetite
• dry mouth

Serious side effects whilst using this medicine are rare, especially as you only use it when you travel. However, if you get any of the following, seek medical advice as soon as possible:

• fast or irregular heartbeat
• tremours or convulsions
• signs of an allergic reaction (swelling or skin rash)
• trouble breathing

For a list of possible side effects, refer to the patient information leaflet.

Avomine can react with other medicines, so ensure you tell the prescriber if you take other medicines. This includes any over-the-counter medicines or supplements.

The following medicines may interact with Promethazine:

• sedatives or hypnotics
• other motion sickness medicines
• antidepressants
• other antihistamines

You should also not drink alcohol whilst using this medicine as this can cause side effects.

If you're unsure whether this applies to you, consult your doctor before taking it.

You can buy Avomine safely and securely at euroClinix after you complete an online consultation. One of our doctors will review your order to make sure that the medication is right for you. Once approved, your order will be sent with free next-day UK delivery.